7 Standout Auction Highlights: Apollo 11, Rembrandt, and the Wicked Witch of the West
From dinosaurs to old masters to the space age, these are the auction results that popped in the past month
July is often admittedly a quiet time for auction houses, but every month may have its moments of trend defiance and this one was no exception. While the headline 19th and 20th century names that command eight figure estimates in New York, Paris, and London await Marquee Week and other blue-chip sales events, the sales that generated excitement had character of their own. Sotheby’s Geek Week is always a highlight of the New York City summer. Across the Atlantic, the Old Masters were attention-worthy. And Hollywood itself had something to offer from one of the most beloved films of all time, The Wizard of Oz. Here are some of the auctions that stood out in July.
“Gus,” the Tyrannosaurus Rex | Sotheby’s New York
One of the most complete skeletons of a T. Rex ever assembled, the set of bones affectionately known as “Gus” broke the record for dinosaur bones when it sold for over $50 million in the “Natural History including Gus Rex” sale. The previous dinosaur record of $44.6 million was held by a stegosaurus called “Apex,” now on a long-term loan to the American Museum of Natural History.
Let the Little Children Come unto Me, Rembrandt | Sotheby’s, London
This brightly colored 40½ x 33¾ inch canvas, painted by Rembrandt van Rijn during his Leiden period, was part of the Sotheby’s Old Masters sale in London, where the final gavel slam landed for £8,000,000. It depicts a scene from the Gospels and contains portraits of the artist and his family.
The Wicked Witch of the West Hat | Heritage Auctions, Los Angeles
Worn by Margaret Hamilton in the 1939 classic, this iconic black hat was designed by Adrian and was one of a small number of copies made for the film. It sold for $550,000 on July 14. Competition for Wizard of Oz memorabilia is intense: a pair of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film sold for $32.5 million in 2024.
George Washington’s Letter Transmitting the Constitution to Thomas Jefferson | Christie’s, New York
Jefferson was serving as the U.S. Ambassador to France when he received this letter from Washington. The letter is dated September 18, 1787, but did not reach Jefferson until New Year’s Day of 1788 after Captain John Paul Jones, the man charged with delivering it, delayed his departure for Europe until November 11. By that time, Jefferson had already learned about the Constitution from other sources. While the original receipt of the missive was subject to 18th century delivery hazards, its recent sale was well-timed for the country’s 250th anniversary, achieving a price of $2,759,000 against an estimate of $1,000,000–2,500,000.
The Virgin Mary Nursing the Christ Child, Hans Memling | Sotheby’s, London
One of the last Memlings in private hands realized £3,506,000 in the same “Old Master & 19th Century Paintings and Sculpture Evening Auction” as the aforementioned Rembrandt. Over 500 years old, it is in an excellent state of preservation and captures a tender and universal moment between Mary and her son.
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Pen and Broken Circuit-Breaker Switch | Sotheby’s, New York
This unassuming pen once helped astronaut Buzz Aldrin prevent Apollo 11 from becoming a national tragedy when he used it to fix a circuit breaker during the moon landing. It went for $857,600 at the Sotheby’s “Space Exploration” sale.
The Game-Used Ball from the 2026 World Cup Final | Christie’s
The World Cup is over, but one buyer may can continue to celebrate every time the look at this ball, which was used in the final game between Spain and Argentina. It sold for $110,000 in an online sale that also included Lionel Messi’s jersey and items worn by members of the band BTS during the halftime show.