Guillermo del Toro auctions off part of his Bleak House horror collection
AP News

Guillermo del Toro auctions off part of his Bleak House horror collection

A live auction for Guillermo del Toro's horror memorabilia auction wrapped up Friday

This image released by Heritage Auctions shows H.R. Giger's original art created for an unproduced science fiction script, an item up for auction from the collection of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (Heritage Auctions via AP)


A portion of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro's prized horror memorabilia collection was auctioned off Friday, with the highest-ticket item selling for $325,000.

Del Toro, one of the industry’s most respected filmmakers and long-time horror buff, auctioned over 100 of the 5,000 items in his collection. The other two parts of the auction series, in partnership with Heritage Auctions in Dallas, are set to go live next year.

The items were part of del Toro's Bleak House — two and a half Santa Monica properties that house thousands of ghoulish creatures, iconic comic drawings and paintings, books and movie props. The filmmaker said he felt compelled to let some of his sprawling collection go following a close brush with the Los Angeles wildfires this year.

“This one hurts. The next one, I’m going to be bleeding,” del Toro, 60, said of the auction series. “If you love somebody, you have estate planning, you know, and this is me estate planning for a family that has been with me since I was a kid.”

The highest-selling item Friday was a painting by H.R. Giger, part of the concept design created for an unproduced script titled “The Tourist." It was an auction record for any artwork by the Swiss artist, who is known for creating the creature in the sci-fi horror classic “Alien." The $325,000 price includes the “buyers premium” attached to all auction items for the house that sells it.

“I feel like a good guardian — knowing fully that these, and future, artifacts have now found loving hands,” del Toro wrote following the auction.

...

This image released by Heritage Auctions shows original art by Bernie Wrightson from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Novel "Frankenstein," an item up for auction from the collection of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (Heritage Auctions via AP)


Mexican-born del Toro auctioned hundreds of items ranging from works by comic luminaries like Jack Kirby and Richard Corben to exclusive items from his own classics like “Cronos” and “Hellboy.”

Items not sold during the live auction Friday will remain available for online bidding until Oct. 6.

Other top earners included original artwork created by Bernie Wrightson for the 1983 illustrated version of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” which sold for $250,000. Wrightson's original cover art for the album “Dead Ringer” by rock superstar Meat Loaf was sold for $187,500.

Some of del Toro’s concept sketches and props from his own movies also sold for tens of thousands of dollars. The iconic trench coat worn by actor Ron Perlman in the filmmaker's “Hellboy” movies sold for $50,000. Two screen-used drivesuits from “Pacific Rim” went for $75,000 each.

A few of del Toro's favorite pieces, including the “Big Baby” — the signature six-round shotgun from “Hellboy” — didn't sell in the live auction but are available for online bidding.

This combination of images released by Heritage Auctions shows various angles of a leather duster trench coat worn by actor Ron Perlman in "Hellboy," an item up for auction from the collection of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (Heritage Auctions via AP)

Recommended for You

Guillermo del Toro auctions off part of his Bleak House horror collection
AP News

Guillermo del Toro auctions off part of his Bleak House horror collection

News
At annual legislative conference, Black lawmakers confront Trump-era cuts and civil rights setbacks
AP News

At annual legislative conference, Black lawmakers confront Trump-era cuts and civil rights setbacks

News
Money pours into campaigns tied to November ballot measure to redraw California congressional districts
Los Angeles Times

Money pours into campaigns tied to November ballot measure to redraw California congressional districts

News
Former LA-area football player who killed 4 while targeting NFL headquarters had CTE
Los Angeles Times

Former LA-area football player who killed 4 while targeting NFL headquarters had CTE

News
'Scrubs' cast reunites for revival table read
UPI

'Scrubs' cast reunites for revival table read

News
Jury convicts Michigan veterinarian of theft for refusing to return dog to homeless man
AP News

Jury convicts Michigan veterinarian of theft for refusing to return dog to homeless man

News
Dario Vitale debuts as Versace creative director in 'intimate' event with VIPs and sex-charged looks
AP News

Dario Vitale debuts as Versace creative director in 'intimate' event with VIPs and sex-charged looks

News
Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Ford, dies
UPI

Sara Jane Moore, who attempted to assassinate President Ford, dies

News
Scottie Scheffler goes 0-2, the worst first day at the Ryder Cup for a world No. 1 since Tiger Woods
AP News

Scottie Scheffler goes 0-2, the worst first day at the Ryder Cup for a world No. 1 since Tiger Woods

News
Whales are getting tangled in lines and ropes off the California coast in record numbers
Los Angeles Times

Whales are getting tangled in lines and ropes off the California coast in record numbers

News
Bestselling author and wife of Weezer bassist avoids jail after shooting at LAPD officers
Los Angeles Times

Bestselling author and wife of Weezer bassist avoids jail after shooting at LAPD officers

News
Report: Former FBI Director James Comey likely to be indicted
UPI

Report: Former FBI Director James Comey likely to be indicted

News
Ex-FBI Director James Comey charged with making false statement, obstruction, AP source says
AP News

Ex-FBI Director James Comey charged with making false statement, obstruction, AP source says

News
Harris faces protesters, condemns Israel's war in Gaza on first night of book tour
AP News

Harris faces protesters, condemns Israel's war in Gaza on first night of book tour

News
Trump to put import taxes on kitchen cabinets, furniture and heavy trucks starting next week
AP News

Trump to put import taxes on kitchen cabinets, furniture and heavy trucks starting next week

News