A hat worn by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has been auctioned for $630,000 or £487,000.
The hat, a brown fedora in felt, is quintessential to the Jones character, though this example was worn in just a few scenes.
Jones wears the hat as he escapes from a plane crash on a raft. It can also be seen in a village scene, and during a mine chase.
It was worn by Harrison Ford, who played the titular archaeologist, and stunt artist Dean Ferrandini, whose family was selling his collection of movie memorabilia through auctioneers Propstore.
The hat was screen matched against film footage, using a fold in the ribbon and handstitched repair work to prove its provenance.
It’s tiny details like the folds in this bow that prove an item was really shown on film.
Herbert Johnson Hat Company made the headgear, in a slightly narrower design than the hat from the previous film. Foam inserts used to keep it in place during action scenes were further evidence of its onscreen use.
The UK-size 7 1/4 (US 59) proved popular with bidders, who took the price quickly up from an opening bid of $125,000 to well over the top estimate of $500,000 at the August 15th sale.
In 2021, another hat from the same film made $431,250 at auction. In March 2024, a whip from the Jones series was sold for $525,000 at auction, a huge rise from the 2012 price of just £20,000 for a comparable item.
The sale also saw a Return of the Jedi scout trooper helmet sell for nearly £250,000, and a Harry Potter wand make £41,400.
Brandon Alinger, Propstore chief operating officer toold the BBC: “[We are] proud to have connected such a wide expanse of fans with the historic pieces they cherish.”
