John Wayne Memorabilia: Realized Prices & How to Sell
To auction, sell or consign your John Wayne memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Who Was John Wayne?
The legendary actor John Wayne starred in numerous films during the Hollywood’s Golden Age and is particularly remembered for Western films. His acting career began with silent films and his big break was in John Ford’s 1939 movie “Stagecoach”. Some of his other films included “Sands of Iwo Jima”, “The Alamo” and “True Grit”, in which he won an Oscar for. Wayne appeared in over 170 films and remains one fo the most recognizable faces in the Western film genre.
Here’s Some John Wayne Memorabilia We’ve Sold:
Cowboy Hat Worn in Six Films — Sold for $37,500
Incredibly rare and iconic cowboy hat worn by the legendary John Wayne in six major westerns. Wayne wore the hat in the 1961 film ”The Comancheros”, the 1963 film ”McClintock!”, the 1965 film ”The Sons of Katie Elder”, the 1966 film ”El Dorado”, and the 1969 film ”The Undefeated”. Camel-colored felt cowboy hat has ”John Wayne / ‘Comancheros”’ written in black marker to underneath of front brim, with an additional ”John Wayne” written in black marker to leather sweatband, as well as ”#3” written in green pen to leather. Hat’s brim measures 16” in length and is 5” tall. Inside measures 7” in diameter. Six little holes to brim. With provenance from the Collection of John Wayne, the Collection of Chuck Roberson (the actor’s stunt double), John Hagner’s Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame, and Mecum Auctions, Santa Monica, CA, July 26-27, 2013, lot F168. Overall very good. From John Wayne worn costume auction. Sold for $37,500.
Costume from “True Grit” — Sold for $10,200
John Wayne costume from Paramount’s 1969 film, “True Grit.” Worn by Wayne in the role of frontier marshall Rooster Cogburn. Wine colored cotton long sleeve shirt with fabric-backed, lined suede vest, with collars, and embroidery. Label reads, “Western Costume Co / Hollywood / No. 2249-3 / Name John Wayne / Chest 49 Sleeve 36 / Collar 18 1/2.” Together with a Certificate of Authenticity from a respected movie memorabilia auction house and letter regarding subsequent sale. Some soiling to vest, else very good condition. From John Wayne worn costume auction. Sold for $10,200.
Lot of Three John Wayne Mugs — Sold for $6,646
Lot of three John Wayne mugs from some of his most beloved films: ”The Alamo”, ”The Shootist” and ”The Horse Soldiers”, all in unused condition with vibrant gold handles. Wayne famously gifted custom ceramic mugs to the cast and crew of his films, with these three originating from Al Yaylian, a boom operator on the films.
Screen-Worn Shirt in ”El Dorado” — Sold for $5,948
One-of-a-kind shirt worn by Hollywood legend John Wayne in the 1966 Paramount Pictures western, ”El Dorado.” The second film in a trilogy of westerns directed by Howard Hawks, ”El Dorado” features Wayne as the infamous gun-toting Cole Thornton, hired by a wealthy rancher to range war against another family. Tomato-red long-sleeve button-down shirt is made of cotton with two front pockets and a tuck-in tab on placket. Original label from legendary Hollywood costumer reads ”Western Costume Co.” label reads: ”No. 2399-2 / John Wayne / Chest 46 / Sleeve 35 3/4”. Lot accompanied by a COA from his son Ethan Wayne and a photo of him wearing the shirt on-screen. From John Wayne worn costume auction. Near fine. Sold for $5,948.
Personal Wardrobe Trunk From Republic Pictures — Sold for $5,027
John Wayne’s wardrobe trunk from Republic Pictures. Spacious black travel case was used by John Wayne when shooting on location and likely accompanied him to Ireland when he filmed ”The Quiet Man.” A plaque affixed to the trunk is engraved ”Republic Pictures / Wardrobe Dept. / J. Wayne”. With low-budget westerns as the studio’s bread and butter, Republic developed the images of such stars of the genre as Wayne, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Under Herbert J. Yates the studio flourished, ultimately producing nearly a thousand films in 25 years. In 1949 the once humble b-movie production house made ”Sands of Iwo Jima” in which Wayne starred and received the first of three Oscar nominations in his career. Location shoots for ”Sands” took place all around Southern California, including the Channel Islands, Camp Del March, El Toro Marine Air Station and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Republic and Wayne saw commercial success together again in 1952 with ”The Quiet Man,” directed by John Ford. Critically acclaimed, it became Republic’s only Academy Award-winning picture, winning Best Cinematography and Best Direction. All the outdoor scenes were shot on location in Ireland. It was Wayne’s last picture for Republic. With an LOA from the daughter of the trunk’s recipient, who explains how her father acquired it from noted western stuntman John ”Bear” Hudkins. Trunk features a compartmentalized interior with built-in hanger and four drawers of varying sizes. Exterior features brass closures and corner reinforcements, and a leather strap for handling attached to the side. Expected bumping and scuffing, with 1960’s era stickers affixed to exterior, likely by Wayne, as this was his personal property. Measures 4.5′ tall, 2.5′ wide, and 1.5′ deep. Very good condition. From John Wayne worn costume auction. Sold for $5,027.
U.S. Army Field Bag From ”The Green Berets” — Sold for $3,775
Screen legend John Wayne’s personally owned bag from the hit 1968 film, ”The Green Berets” which Wayne directed and starred in, and which was released at the height of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Rare olive green canvas field musette bag was most likely worn by Wayne onscreen, as most all of the props and costumes, even weapons, used during filming were provided by the U.S. Army. Wayne wrote to President Johnson seeking his advice and asking for support in adapting Robin Moore’s book with the same title to the screen. Apparently, Wayne received support from the U.S. Department of Defense, which lent all kinds of supplies and costumes. Printed on green canvas bag is ”U.S.” to front flap with ”Hamlin Canvas / Goods Co. / 1942” printed underneath flap. ”John Wayne” is written on both the front and the back pocket; ”J.W.” is also written on back, ”J.W.” The Field Musette Bag measures 12.5” x 10” and is 4” deep. Bag includes a COA from John Wayne Enterprises. From John Wayne worn costume auction. Near fine condition. Sold for $3,775.
Ammo Bag From Production of ”The Green Berets” — Sold for $3,049
John Wayne production-used ammo bag from ”The Green Berets,” his 1968 Vietnam War film. Sack was supplied for the film by the U.S. government from WWII-era stock and is labeled ”U.S. / Myrna Shoe Inc. / 1944”. This was the only Wayne film for which the government issued official property. Measures 7” x 4” x 11”. Fine condition. From the estate of John Wayne and with a COA from John Wayne Enterprises. Sold for $3,049.
Screen-Worn Pants From ”The Cowboys” — Sold for $2,886
John Wayne’s pants worn in the memorable 1972 western, ”The Cowboys,” directed by Mark Rydell. Wayne plays rancher Wil Anderson in the film, a cowboy left in a pickle as his ranch hands ditch him in the gold rush flurry. Pants are made of tan-colored polyester with original Western Costume Co. label reading: ”No. 2528-1 / John Wayne / Waist 41 1/2 / Inseam 33.” Accompanied by LOA from Wayne’s son, Ethan Wayne. Near fine condition. Sold for $2,886.
“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” Mug — Sold for $1,716
Coffee mug given by John Wayne to a crew member on “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”. Starting in the early 1950s, Wayne famously started giving custom-made coffee mugs to the cast and crew of his movies. Although their design differed with each movie, they all had the signature gold handle. This mug reads “Bill From Duke” on one side and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” on the other. With the “Wallace China U.S.A.” stamp on the underside, the china company used for Wayne’s mugs, as well as a stamp from Bob Williams of Tustin, CA, who owned The Mug Shop, the retail store that sold the mugs to Wayne. Substantial mug weighs 1 lb., 5 oz. Measures 4″ tall and 3.5″ wide, not including handle. Light wear, otherwise near fine. Sold for $1,716.
To auction, sell or consign your John Wayne memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my John Wayne memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your John Wayne memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of John Wayne memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition and subject matter.