7 of the Most Expensive Memorabilia Ever Sold
A sweater previously owned by the late Matthew Perry has fetched over six times its estimated value at an auction commemorating the 30th anniversary of Friends. The auction, titled Friends: The One With The 30th Anniversary Auction, showcased costumes worn by the principal cast and prominent guest stars, as well as furniture and props from Central Perk, the iconic café where the characters frequently convened on screen.
A teal polo-style sweater, worn by Perry’s character Chandler Bing in the episode titled “The One With The Holiday Armadillo,” was sold for $6,500 (£4,900), exceeding its estimated value by more than six times.
The top-selling item of the auction was a studio-made reproduction of the Central Perk orange sofa where the Friends stars spent many famous scenes. It sold for $29,250 (£22,000) – almost 15 times its original estimate.
Would you be willing to pay $62,500 for George Harrison’s sitar or $5,300 for Scarlett Johansson’s used tissue. Or perhaps £15,200 on a set of false teeth belonging to Sir Winston Churchill.
Here are 7 celebrity memorabilia items that have sold for astounding amounts of money.
1. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona
Sold for: $17.8 million
Date: October 2017
The actor’s personally worn Rolex Daytona became the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction, thanks to its association with Newman and its rarity.
2.Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 6 Jersey
Sold for: $10.1 million
Date: September 2022
This is the jersey Jordan wore during his final NBA Championship game, making it the most expensive sports memorabilia item ever sold at auction. Michael Jordan claimed success and fame throughout his basketball career from college basketball to the NBA. He was drafted in to the Chicago Bulls and led them to 6 NBA Championships where he was named MVP 5 times. Forbes estimates Nike has paid Jordan over $1bn since the first signed deal as new trainers are released and new brand ambassadors sign on to promote the Jordan Brand.
3. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Baseball Card (Mint)
Sold for: $12.6 million
Date: August 2022
One of the best-preserved examples of Mantle’s rookie card, it holds the record for the most expensive baseball card.
4. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ jersey
Sold for: $9.3 million
Date: May 2022
Worn by Maradona during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, this jersey is famous for the “Hand of God” goal.
5. Honus Wagner T206 Baseball Card
Sold for: $7.25 million
Date: August 2022
The Honus Wagner card is considered one of the rarest and most valuable sports cards, particularly in near-mint condition.
6. Kurt Cobain’s “MTV Unplugged” Guitar
Sold for: $6 million
Date: June 2020
The guitar Cobain used during Nirvana’s iconic “MTV Unplugged” performance is one of the most expensive pieces of music memorabilia.
7. Babe Ruth’s 1928-1930 Jersey
Sold for: $5.64 million
Date: June 2019
One of the earliest and rarest Babe Ruth jerseys, this piece of baseball history broke records for sports memorabilia at the time.
