The experience of winning an auction with the highest bid can be equally as exciting as is painful on the pockets. But, some high bidders added these unique celebrity items to their collections, and never looked back.
Michael Jordan's Nike Air Jordan 1's
Price: $560,000
Guinness World Records announced a signed pair of Nike Air Jordan 1's as being the most expensive pair of shoes to be sold at auction -- ever! But, how much did Sotheby's online auction sell them for?
According to the records, with the right shoe signed by #23, the famous kicks sold for a whopping $560,000! Jordan was said to prefer shoes that were mismatched in size while playing basketball, which explains why the auction was selling a size 13 left and size 13.5 right pair.
Lady Gaga's Fake Fingernail
Price: $12,000
While Lady Gaga was performing in concert during her time in Dublin, she lost a pinky acrylic fingernail. The pointed black nail with gold design and beads was handpainted by her personal manicurist, Aya Fukuda. According to auction records, the accessory was found by a crew member backstage.
Per the listing, the buyer paid a total of $12,000 for the nail. They also received "A letter of provenance from its rescuer, two photographs of Gaga with and without the nail at the perfume event and on-stage, an Aviva Stadium staff handbook, an event crew wristband, and a Lady Gaga 'The Born This Way Ball' grey crew t-shirt."
Kurt Cobain's Broken Guitar
Price: $100,000
During his days as the frontman of the widely-known band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain smashed his Fender Mustang guitar. He likely didn't expect it to become a desirable collectible someday. But years later, it was entered into an auction where a buyer coughed up $100,000 for it!
A curator from Seattle's Experience Music Project reported, "It's a really cool looking guitar because it's smashed and held together with duct tape, and Kurt Cobain wrote on it." Who knew a broken guitar could someday cost more than a brand new one?
Justin Bieber's Hair
Price: $40,668
When Justin Bieber cut his famous locks in 2011, he gave a collection of hairs to none other than Ellen DeGeneres. And, instead of keeping them in her own personal collection, she decided to post them on eBay to see how much Belieber fans would cough up.
All was done for a good cause, as the funds used to purchase the hair was sent to the Gentle Barn Foundation -- an animal rescue organization that DeGeneres supports. So, how much did a few pieces from Bieber's signature hairstyle go for? Only $40,668.
Ringo Starr's Drum Set
Price: $2,200,000
Back in 2015, Julien's Auctions hosted a Beatles-themed event in which a collection of memorabilia was being sold. Although many items were exchanging owners, the highest purchase of the night was Ringo Starr's iconic Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum set.
According to ArtNet News, the drumset was used by Starr to jam out in more than 200 Beatles performances and concerts between 1963-64. If that wasn't impressive enough, the price the set sold for might knock some off their feet: An incredible $2,200,000.
Michael Keaton’s Batman Suit
Price: $90,337
According to Entertainment Memorabilia Auction, the Batman Returns' Batsuit was sold with some authentic wear and tear from use and age. It was explained in the item listing that "The cowl and the posterior [have] several holes...[and] the cape has become frayed with a small tear in one area."
The new proud owner of the Batsuit not only got the outfit but "A custom-built display, incorporating mannequin of actor Michael Keaton," too! Purchased back in 2019 for a total of $90,337, we can guess that the suit will be cherished for a lifetime.
Jackie Robinson's Dodgers Jersey
Price: $2,050,000
Some might remember hearing about when Jackie Robinson won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, but did you know that the Dodgers jersey that Robinson wore to receive that award was sold years later? Heritage Auctions took on the challenge of selling the memorabilia, and boy, did they do it justice!
According to Heritage Auctions, when the jersey sold in 2017, it came with "A letter of authenticity from Robinson's widow, Rachel, who personally saw the jersey in the family's house," and a massive $2,050,000 price tag. Talk about an incredible home run!
Pharrell Williams' Hat
Price: $44,100
After wearing a tall brown hat with a chic rim to the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Pharrell Williams' outfit sparked attention. So much so, in fact, that his instantly-famous hat soon had its own Twitter page. When Williams realized the attention it was getting, he decided to take the situation to eBay.
Thus, he posted the listing with plans to donate any proceeds from selling the hat to the organization, One Hand to AnOTHER. But, when Arby's (yes, the restaurant) saw the listing as resembling their logo's iconic hat, they offered up $44,100 for the accessory.
John Lennon's Vox Guitar
Price: $408,000
John Lennon used a Vox guitar to record the music video for "Hello, Goodbye." After its filming, Lennon continued playing the instrument and even allowed fellow musician George Harrison to play it too! When the Beatles memorabilia was entered into a mass auction, the price the guitar sold for was astonishing to many.
The lucky new owner of the Vox guitar spent a whopping $408,000 on the instrument. Talk about a valuable purchase! Many more items owned by the Beatles sold in the same auction, but this item went down in both Beatles history and storytelling history for the lucky buyer.
Britney Spears' Chewing Gum
Price: $14,000
When Britney Spears was just 22-years old, she captivated audiences left and right during her performances. In 2004, she discarded a piece of chewing gum before taking the stage, thinking nothing of it. Little did she know, it was picked up by a crew member looking to make an extra buck.
The treasure-finder posted the gum on eBay, expecting not much to come of it. However, they kept their hopes high, and after 24 people auctioned on the piece, it was finally purchased. The new owner of Spears' minty gum paid a winning price of $14,000.
Willie Nelson's Braids
Price: $37,000
Willie Nelson is known worldwide for his music and for rocking a pair of braids in his hair. So, when he decided to chop his locks before his hair began to turn grey, he had an idea. According to Time, when he cut his hair, he attended Johnny Cash's party and gifted them to none other than Waylon Jennings.
But, when Jennings passed away, the braids were entered into an auction. According to Reuters, his hair was a hot topic of discussion. Many people wanted to buy them to memorialize the musician, but the one who paid $37,000 for Nelson's hair certainly topped the cake.
Serena William's Tennis Racket
Price: $20,910
In 2018, tennis star Serena Williams went head to head against Naomi Osaka. Unfortunately, even after an argument with the referee over a play she considered unfair, Williams was defeated in the US Open. In response, a frustrated Serena smashed her Wilson Blade racket on the court.
The racket was left by Williams but picked up by an attendee of the US Open, who then posted it for sale on Goldin Auctions the following year. And, to their surprise, the racket picked up national attention. The bidding ended with a price of $20,910.
Babe Ruth's First Home Run Bat
Price: $1,265,000
The baseball bat that Babe Ruth used to hit the first home run in the opening game at the new Yankee Stadium in 1923 was later put to auction. Ruth used that bat to play against the Boston Red Socks and kept the fans on their feet throughout the game.
Sports fans were so excited by the momentous day that many were interested when the bat went to auction. After an extended bidding period, the famous bat sold for the incredible amount of $1,265,000. With this bat added to a fanatic's collection, we can imagine they felt like a hall-of-famer themselves.
iPhone Shattered by Rihanna
Price: $66,000
At the NBA playoff game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center in 2014, Rihanna accidentally dropped and shattered Steve Soboroff's iPhone. The pair were seated next to each other and were taking pictures when RiRi's hand slipped, and the phone ended up on the court.
Soboroff brushed off the situation and had Rihanna sign it for memory's sake. However, the broken phone was later added to an auction listing and made enough money to buy Steve several new iPhones. How much did it sell for? A lot, $66,000 to be exact.
Muhammad Ali's Boxing Gloves
Price: $1,100,000
Throughout his impressive boxing career, Muhammad Ali earned titles of both the Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and Sports Personality of the Century by BBC. In 1965, Ali entered the ring with Floyd Patterson and won. Thus, the gloves he wore became a lusted-over item.
In later years, Muhammad's gloves were entered into auction. And, they certainly didn't sell for cheap; in fact, the lucky new owner dished out $1,100,000 for them! To date, the gloves he wore have gone down in history as the most expensive piece of Ali memorabilia ever sold! Talk about a huge victory!
John Schneider's General Lee 1969 Charger
Price: $9,900,500
John Scheider, Tom Wopat, and Ben Jones captivated audiences in "The Dukes of Hazzard." But, one prop, in particular, that was used both in the TV series and in the 2000 TV movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood made history. The 1969 General Lee Charger was a brightly colored automobile that evoked envy for many.
In 2007, when it was entered into an auction, many fans of the TV Series and movie had the opportunity to be a Duke of Hazzard themselves. After many days of bidding, one lucky deep-pocketed person purchased the car for $9,900,500. And, we can't imagine that it was an easy item to give up.
Mark McGuire's Home Run Ball
Price: $3,000,000
Mark McGuire's baseball record was quite the report card! He was the 4th right-handed batter in history to hit a ball over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium. According to Getty, the ball traveled 491 feet, the farthest home run in the major leagues in half a decade. The ball from the top of the 6th inning was later kept.
But, it didn't stay on one shelf for long! In fact, talented comic book creator Todd McFarlane set his eyes on the prize and didn't stop until it was his. In the end, the creator entered an auction and dropped a whopping $3,000,000 on the piece of baseball history.
Michael Jackson's Velvet Jacket
Price: $65,625
There's no denying that Michael Jackson's wardrobe was full of iconic pieces. And, with fans of all ages, even those who have been born after he passed away, many people only dream of owning an item from his closet. But, for young North West, her dream became a reality just in time for Christmas.
That's right, Kim K spoiled her eldest daughter by dropping $65,625 on Jackson's black velvet jacket as a Christmas gift. "North is a really big Michael Jackson fan and we knew she would love this," Kim posted on Insta. But, the little girl was smaller than Michael. Thus it was later altered to fit her perfectly.
Air From Kanye West's Yeezus Tour
Price: $60,100
It wasn't necessary for eBay user Stangeedon1 to present any proof that he attended Kanye's concert for over 90 people to bid on a bag of 'Ye concert air. However, in the item's description, it was stated that he "Held [the] bag open and sealed air in." And, that was enough for the seemingly empty bag to cause an uproar!
After the "Air from Kanye Show" sold for $60,100, Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to say, "WOW he can sell anything!" Whether or not Stangeedon1 actually attended the performance or not, we might never know, but for the sake of the one who emptied their pockets for it, we certainly hope so!
James Bond's Aston Martin DB5
Price: $6,400,000
According to Insider, the fully restored version of James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in the movie Goldfinger was sold at an RM Sotheby's auction. The vehicle is only one of 3 "Bond modified" DB5 cars to exist and had "Bond modifications" of a wheel-hub mounted tire-slashers and a "Browning .30 caliber machine gun in each fender".
"No other car in history has played a more important leading role on film and in pop culture than the Aston Martin DB5," Barney Ruprecht, a car specialist at RM Sotheby's, gushed. That's probably why the gorgeous automobile sold at auction for $6,400,000!
Lady Gaga's Teacup and Saucer
Price: $75,137.50
In 2012, a teacup stamped with the lipstick of Lady Gaga was purchased. The auction intended to raise money to support Japanese artists after the tsunami and earthquake that had occurred the year prior. In addition to the makeup stain, the cup was inscribed with "Prayers for Japan," according to the Tokyo Press.
Gaga had used the teacup and its matching saucer at a press conference in Tokyo. When she was finished with it, the idea was sparked to auction off the dishware to someone willing to have proceeds to go to the Tomodachi Arts Fellowship Program. And, the program wasn't disappointed, as they soon received $75,137.50.
Elvis Presley's Bible
Price: $94,000
According to BBC News, Elvis Presley's 1,600-page bible was given to him by his aunt and uncle for Christmas of 1957. It not only contains annotations by Presley but when later auctioned off in Greater Manchester, an American man living in the United Kingdom must have said, "thank you, thank you very much."
Auctioneer Karen Fairweather said, "It was a really exciting atmosphere in the room, we had 300 people, and there was bidding online and on the telephone across the world," of the experience. The winner spent a total of $94,000 on the bible in 2012 and possibly prayed for forgiveness for offering to such a pricy tag!
John Lennon's Round Glasses
Price: $56,800
According to the Sotheby's auction house, John Lennon's iconic pair of circular Windsor glasses with curved earpieces "May well [have been] the first pair of the famous round glasses that he ever owned." The 20th-century spectacles were auctioned off after switching hands several times.
According to Sotheby's sales brochure, Lennon lent the glasses to Jarlett, a woman close to the family, so that her brother could wear them for a costume party. They were then later added to an auction based in London where they were purchased for $56,800!
Harrison Ford's 'Indiana Jones' Whip
Price: $35,460
Used in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones (1984), The Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Harrison Ford's whip was quite the hit. A spokesman for Profiles in History commented, "This whip is a rare treasure from one of the most beloved action-adventure franchises of all time."
According to the auction site, the prop was a hand-made 16-plait bull-whip of kangaroo hide with an impressive 106 inch-long lash. Per official auction records, Indiana Jones' whip was purchased for no less than $35,460. This adventurous purchase certainly deserves its own award case!
Michael Jackson's White Glove
Price: $350,000
Darren Julien of Julien's Auctions called this white diamond-dazzled glove "The Holy Grail of Michael Jackson." Julien then hosted an auction that was selling what Reuters mentions as what Jackson wore when he "First staged the famous moonwalk dance" in 1983. With a beginning bid of $10,000, the glove's price quickly increased.
The glove was selling for $120,000 before Hoffman Ma, the winning bidder, placed a $350,000 price tag on the accessory. Ha was a successful businessman from Hong Kong. And, when he saw Michael's famous glove, he knew it had to be his no matter the cost.
Joan Rivers' Tiffany & Co. Dog Bowl
Price: $14,000
In 2014, when comedian Joan Rivers, unfortunately, passed away at the age of 81, many of her possessions were added to a list of items to be sold in an auction. This list included the dog bowl of her pooch, Spike. But, not to be fooled, this wasn't any ordinary piece of kitchenware.
Spike had also passed away years prior, in 2001, but since being credited by Rivers for saving her life several times, this dog food bowl was quite unique. In fact, the animal might have been the only pup to have a $14,000 Tiffany & Co. dish engraved with "Spike."
Britney Spears' Used Pregnancy Test
Price: $5,001
Pregnancies can be extremely exciting! But, that doesn't mean everyone keeps their old pregnancy tests. In fact, when Britney Spears took one in 2005, she threw it away in the trash bin. But, according to The Sun, the test was later found in the trash and collected, knowing very well what famous family it had come from.
The used pregnancy test was purchased at auction by an online casino called GoldenPalace.com. To Spears' surprise (and many others,) the one-time-use object was won over by their $5,001 bid. Due to the timing of the occurrence, The Sun estimated Britney was pregnant with her first son, Sean.
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Chair
Price: $394,000
When J.K. Rowling sat down to write the first Harry Potter book, she pulled up an oak wooden chair. Per The Guardian, the 1930's-era seat was a dining chair that was gifted to Rowling in 1995 to finish decorating her apartment. After experiencing back pain post-publication, J.K. decided it was time to let the chair go.
Before she did, she painted "I wrote Happy Potter while sitting on this chair" on the wood that held the seat to the cushion. According to The Guardian, the chair sold for $394,000 in 2002 and came with an official note that read, "Dear new-owner-of-my-chair...My nostalgic side is quite sad to see it go, but my back isn't."