If you’re curious about the health of the antiques and collectibles hobby, look no further than Heritage Auctions and their stunningly successful 2024 for the answer. Billing itself as “America’s Auction House,” the Dallas-based Heritage reached nearly $1.9 billion in total sales last year, the highest ever for the 49-year-old company in the wake of three successive record-setting years.
“Collectors continue to amaze us with their passion and curiosity, uncovering treasures that redefine what it means to preserve history and culture,” says CEO and co-founder Steve Ivy. “While much of the auction world faces its well-documented challenges, Heritage continues to thrive, driven by record-breaking results, innovative categories, technological advancements and a growing global community of collectors.”
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
The year at Heritage was defined by numerous moments that seized the world’s attention, chief among them December’s sale of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz, which realized a staggering $32,500,000, to become, by far, the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold at auction. Just four months earlier, the New York Yankees jersey Babe Ruth wore when he called his shot to deep center field in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for $24,120,000 to become the world’s most valuable sports collectible.
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
The records started soaring in April when a copy of Superman’s debut in Action Comics No. 1 sold for $6 million to become the world’s most valuable comic book during the world’s highest-grossing Comics and Comic Art auction ever held.
Heritage’s success can be credited in large part to significant growth across most of its more than 50 categories, led by Comics and Comic Art, Sports and Hollywood/Entertainment — the latter of which surged from a $4 million afterthought just a decade ago into a $102 million juggernaut in 2024. Put it in lights: That’s more than 2.5 times higher than 2023’s total sales for the Entertainment category.
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
“Entertainment has seen the single largest growth in 2024,” Ivy says, “and we only expect it to continue that breathtaking progress in the coming year.”
In addition to the Ruby Slippers sale, October’s completely sold-out Game of Thrones auction, which realized $21,115,718 thanks to more than 4,500 bidders worldwide — most of whom were first-time bidders at Heritage. That event, held in conjunction with HBO, stands as the most successful auction of costumes, props and more from a single film or TV show.
In March, Heritage held the $15.68 million Treasures From Planet Hollywood auction, which will be forever mentioned when anyone debates whether Rose could have saved Jack from the North Atlantic Ocean’s frigid waters. The wood panel from Titanic was crowned king of the auction, realizing $718,750 to float to the top of the thrilling five-day event.
Courtesy Heritage Auctions
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