Marvel-ous: Captain America’s Movie Shield Sells for $259K
Screen-used by Chris Evans in Marvel Studios’ 2019 blockbuster ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ the shield sets a new house record at Hake’s for any Marvel movie prop.
One of the most recognizable emblems in pop culture, superhero Captain America’s iconic shield has sold at auction for a super price: $259,540.
The shield is the "hero prop" that actor Chris Evans used in Marvel's 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, and was the star item offered in Hake's November 2-3 auction of entertainment and historical memorabilia, which realized a record-breaking $3.3 million.
Opening at $20,000, the winning bid for the star-emblazoned shield, out of 17 made, includes an 18 percent buyer’s premium. It was bought by Wilmot “Wil” Creasy, a commercial analyst with Creasy Group, a Western Australia business focused on mining and metals exploration and investment. Creasy now adds the iconic aluminum piece to his burgeoning pop-culture portfolio, which also reportedly includes extremely rare Pokémon cards.
“This was one of those rare times when we did not assign a pre-auction estimate. We knew the collectors would have the final say and wanted to cast no expectation. But we also knew the potential for something special was there. And that is what happened, a new auction house record for any Marvel movie prop. And well deserved, this was one of the most amazing items Hake’s has offered in its 45-year history, and that is saying something considering the millions of items we have handled," said Hake’s President Alex Winter.
“From the moment we had the shield in-hand, we promoted it everywhere, culminating in its in-person appearance at the Baltimore Comic Con, where it was the star of the show,” Winter said. “And from the day it went online, the bids started coming in, but it was the final day that saw it jump some $150,000 before closing at the record price. The term ‘museum quality’ is sometimes overused, but in this case, it is well deserved.”
The shield was constructed for Endgame by Marvel Studios senior prop master Russell Bobbitt and appeared in the film’s all-important close-up scenes. Other Captain America prop shields were created for use in long shots and action sequences but lasted for only a few scenes before sustaining damage associated with stunt work. The near-pristine shield auctioned by Hake’s was handled with care on-set so it could be featured in multiple close-up scenes throughout the film’s production. The prop has been authenticated by Bobbitt and comes with a custom-crafted plaque as well as a letter of authenticity, both signed by him.
According to Pennsylvania auction house, the shield was previously gifted to a Los Angeles nonprofit, Sand Sisters (now known as Girl Powerful), by Marvel Studios’ Executive Vice President Victoria Alonso for a fundraising raffle, which brought in $155,801.
Evans has portrayed the superhero over the course of seven blockbuster films, from The First Avenger in 2011 to Endgame, becoming one of the cornerstones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, garnering legions of ardent fans and propelling Captain America to even greater heights.
While he has since passed the mantle of Captain America to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, one thing remains the same: that iconic shield, which has secured its rightful place as a touchstone in the American story. An Evans' screen-used shield from Captain America: The Winter Soldier even resides within the halls of the National Museum of American History.
For complete results of the auction, visit hakes.com.
