John Wayne auction fetches more than $5M

Written by Associated Press

Monday, 10 October 2011 09:39

Despite stains and heavy wear, this felt hat worn by John Wayne and his stunt double in several movies sold for $119,500, inclusive of the buyer's premium. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Organizers say a two-day auction of more than 700 costumes, scripts, awards and memorabilia from the estate of film star John Wayne brought in $5.4 million.

Heritage Auctions said Friday that the auction included items such as Wayne's last driver's license, a holster and gun belt from the film El Dorado and an eye patch from the 1969 movie, True Grit.

The green wool beret Wayne wore in The Green Berets, went for $179,250 and a cowboy hat worn in Big Jake and The Cowboys fetched $119,500.

The items had been kept by Wayne's family since his 1979 death from cancer.

A portion of the proceeds will be used by the John Wayne Cancer Foundation to help fund cancer research, treatment and education.

LiveAuctioneers.com provided Internet live bidding for the auction.

AP-WF-10-08-11 0858GMT

Last Updated on Monday, 10 October 2011 11:06