I Love Lucy dress auctions with 133% increase on estimate

The signature dress worn by Lucille Ball in the hit US TV show I Love Lucy has seen outstanding results in Profiles in History's auction of part two of the magnificent Dreier Collection.

I Love Lucy dress Lucille Ball polka dot
'The Holy Grail of all female television costumes'


The sale took place yesterday (July 30) in Calabasas Hills, California, with the dress selling for $140,000 - a 133.3% increase on its pre-sale estimate of $40,000-60,000.

The iconic polka dot dress was described by the auction house as "the Holy Grail of all female television costumes", designed by Elois Jenssen and serving as the master dress for lead character Lucy Ricardo.

I Love Lucy aired on American television between 1951 and 1957, and was the most watched programme in the US for four of its six seasons. It has since been syndicated in dozens of countries across the world.

Golden Ticket Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory
An object of desire for any collector who watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a child


Bringing the second highest bids of the auction was a highly-coveted Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the object of desire for many who watched the 1971 musical film as a child. It made a 26.6% increase on its $15,000 high estimate to sell for $19,000.

This was the example presented to the character Veruca Salt in the film, and was accompanied by authentication from Julie Dawn Cole, who played Salt in the film.


The Terminator jacket bears the scars of its extensive screen use


Also achieveing excellent results was Arnold Scwarzenegger's leather jacket and gloves, which featured in the 1984 film The Terminator. Complete with blood and bullet-holes from the climactic final scenes, the pair sold for $35,000, a 133.3% increase on the $12,000-15,000 high estimate.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is offering an original prop from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope for sale.

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