Costumes and props from the television series Outlander have grossed nearly £730,000 at a global auction hosted by Bonhams, with bidding driven by dedicated fans. The sale, which concluded recently, featured a wide array of items from all eight seasons of the popular show, including clothing and meticulously crafted objects.
Among the notable sales was the kilted outfit worn by the character Jamie Fraser in scenes set during the Battle of Culloden, which sold for £8,960, more than four times its initial estimate. A wedding ensemble worn by Claire Fraser achieved £11,520, exceeding its expected price by over three times. Other items that drew significant bids included a replica of the ‘dragonfly in amber’ prop, which sold for £7,040, and an oil painting depicting Jamie’s ancestral home, Lallybroch Castle, which fetched £5,376.
In total, 385 lots were offered in the online and live auction, titled ‘Outlander: The Auction.’ The event generated a total of £729,395. Selected items were put on display in Edinburgh and London prior to the sale.
Madeleine Cater, Bonhams’ Head of Sale, commented on the auction's success, stating, 'When it comes to historical fantasy, Outlander is unmatched in its power of escapism, drama, and romance.' She added, 'For more than a decade, the show has captivated audiences, and we are delighted to bring some of the incredible costumes and props to auction.'
The series, based on the best-selling books by American author Diana Gabaldon, has sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The narrative follows Claire Randall, a former World War II nurse who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland, where she encounters and falls in love with Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. The story has spanned eight series, taking viewers from the Scottish Highlands to locations including Paris, the Caribbean, and colonial North Carolina.
The popularity of the show has also been linked to the ‘Outlander Effect,’ a phenomenon that has reportedly led to an increase in tourism in Scotland, with fans visiting filming locations and historical sites connected to the series, such as the Culloden battlefield.
The auctioned lots represented 12 years of filming and the extensive craftsmanship of costume designers and prop makers. The highest price achieved was £28,160 for Claire’s three wedding rings. The second highest sale was a toile, or preliminary fabric version, of a red ball gown worn by Claire in Season 2, which sold for £12,160, more than double its estimate. Claire’s Season 1 white dress, depicted as her means of time travel, sold for £7,040, and a tartan corseted dress from Season 1 fetched £10,880.
Other items included ‘Black Jack’ Randall’s red coat uniform, which sold for £2,650, and a model of the fictional Craigh na Dun standing stone circle, inspired by the Callanish Stones, which was purchased for £2,560.
Matthew B Roberts, executive producer for all eight seasons, expressed his satisfaction that the pieces would go to fans. 'These objects were made with love, by people who gave everything to this story,' he said. 'They deserve to be treasured and I have no doubt they will be.'