A prop mosquito fossil, central to the premise of Steven Spielberg's 1993 blockbuster "Jurassic Park," sold for $403,200 at a recent Hollywood memorabilia auction hosted by Propstore. The screen-matched item, featured in the film's opening scene, was the catalyst for the creation of the dinosaurs that populate the film's prehistoric theme park.
The auction, which took place in Los Angeles, saw a variety of celebrated film and television props go under the hammer. Among the notable sales were John Travolta's white suit from "Saturday Night Fever," which sold for $277,200, and a "Star Trek" Starfleet phaser that commanded a price of $315,000. Christopher Reeve's costume as Superman from the 1978 film of the same name brought in $233,100.
Other items of interest included Val Kilmer's whiskey cup from "Tombstone," which sold for $119,700, and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man armor, which fetched $138,600. Keanu Reeves' costume from "The Matrix Reloaded" also sold for $138,600, while Johnny Depp's hat from "Pirates of the Caribbean" achieved $100,800. Michael Jackson's prosthetic teeth from "Thriller" sold for $47,250.
Brandon Alinger, Propstore COO, expressed satisfaction with the auction's results, highlighting the "Jurassic Park" mosquito fossil as a significant piece. "Few objects capture the premise and enduring cultural impact of a film so immediately, and the response from collectors reflects the significance of this remarkable piece," Alinger stated.