From Game-Worn Sneakers to Star Wars Props: A Look at the Latest Auction Highlights
Stephen Curry is auctioning off more than 70 pairs of his game-worn sneakers to support the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. The auction, hosted by Sotheby's, features mostly Nike and Adidas sneakers worn by Curry during his free agency in 2025. Bidding for a pair of 2010 Nike Hyperdunks has already reached $65,000. This initiative allows fans to own a piece of basketball history while contributing to a charitable cause.
In other memorabilia news, Heritage Auctions is celebrating Star Wars Day with an auction featuring art, props, and comics from the beloved franchise. The highlight of the auction is a large-scale replica of the Millennium Falcon, crafted using period-authentic techniques by Industrial Light & Magic. Bidding for this iconic piece starts at $110,000, offering fans a chance to own a piece of cinematic history.
RR Auction is currently offering a unique Hermann Struck etching of Albert Einstein, signed by the physicist with the phrase "Per aspera ad astra," meaning "through hardships to the stars." This rare autograph piece is currently bidding at $3,803 and provides collectors with a glimpse into Einstein's life and work.
Sotheby's is following up on Christie's guitar auction success by offering two legendary guitars in its Rock & Pop sale. Noel Gallagher's Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic guitar, used to compose songs for Oasis's album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, is estimated to sell for $60,000–$80,000. Additionally, Elvis Presley's Hagstrom Viking II electric guitar, used in his 1968 comeback special, is expected to fetch $1 million–$2 million. These iconic instruments offer music enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of rock history.
Julien's Auctions is giving fans of "Sex and the City" the opportunity to own artifacts from the set of the show's revival, "And Just Like That…". Over 500 items, including fashions, furnishings, and even the replica Rolex gifted by Carrie Bradshaw to Mr. Big, are up for auction until May 1. This auction allows fans to bring a piece of the iconic series into their own homes.
Lee Fox Auctions is offering two rare, original photographs of American outlaw Billy the Kid, taken between 1863–1867 in Philadelphia. These images, depicting Billy as a boy and a young adult, are expected to attract significant interest from collectors. The auctioneer hopes that these lots will surpass the $2.3 million paid for an authenticated photo of Billy in 2011, showcasing the enduring fascination with this historical figure.
Rare letters written by paleontologist Mary Anning are a rare find in the market. When one of her letters surfaced at Bonhams in March, the Lyme Regis Museum in Dorset, U.K., successfully raised £12,000 ($16,200) through a crowdfunding campaign to acquire it. This fragment of a letter contains six lines and Anning's signature, shedding light on her life and work as a pioneering fossil hunter. The museum plans to display this valuable piece in its Geology Gallery in June, offering visitors a glimpse into Anning's world.
In conclusion, the current auction market is buzzing with a diverse range of collectibles, from iconic guitars to rare artifacts from beloved TV shows. These auctions provide enthusiasts and collectors with the opportunity to own a piece of history while supporting charitable causes and preserving cultural heritage.