BIDDING WARS
TRACK: R2-D2 COULD BE YOURS!
Start squirreling away your savings, because later this month, some of the most iconic memorabilia in Hollywood history are going up for auction. Boston-based website Invaluable.com, which is partnering with Profiles in History, is holding the auction June 26 through 28, and it will feature expensive items from famous films and TV series of yore. For starters, if you’re looking to upgrade your Roomba robot vacuum, you could always throw down some serious cash for one of the biggest items up for auction: a fully assembled R2-D2 unit. It has an estimated worth of $1 million to $2 million and, while it might not have any real world applications, it is comprised entirely of parts from both the original “Star Wars” trilogy, as well as “Episode I” and “Episode II.” Also hailing from the “Star Wars” franchise is Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker lightsaber from “Star Wars” and “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and Darth Vader’s helmet and shoulder armor from “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” that will go home to the highest bidders. If it’s kingof-the-world status you’re looking for, try outbidding everyone on the costume Leonardo DiCaprio wore when playing Jack Dawson in “Titanic.” They might have been the clothes of commoners in the film, but in real life, these duds are worth about $100,000 to $150,000. Get your hands on them and never let them go. Let’s not forget about the groovy dance floor from “Saturday Night Fever.” It’s estimated to be worth $1 million to $1.5 million — John Travolta and his sick dance skills not included. And if you’re more of a black-and-white film fan, here’s what you’re looking for, kid: The front doors to Rick’s Cafe Americain from “Casablanca.” They’re valued at about $150,000 to $200,000 — worth every penny, if they’re smudged with even a particle of DNA remnants from Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. As for pricey collectables from TV’s past, Lucille Ball’s famous polka dot dress from “I Love Lucy” is up for grabs. But you might have some ’splaining to do when you drop dough on this frock, whose value falls in the $40,000 to $60,000 range. Also on the market is Bob Denver’s red-and-white collared shirt from “Gilligan’s Island.” Bid for all of the above for nostalgia’s sake, or take the cheaper way out and just tune into TV Land for a few hours.