economy
Diane Keaton’s nail clippers for $960: what’s behind the new boom in celebrity estate auctions?
With beloved stars’ personal items increasingly up for grabs after they die, a new generation of fans are bidding on everything from bowler hats to dog bowls
TL;DR
- The market for deceased celebrities' personal items, termed 'deleb', has seen a significant boom.
- Fans are willing to pay high prices for items ranging from professional memorabilia like scripts to intimate possessions like nail clippers and dog bowls.
- Diane Keaton's recent auction saw her original Annie Hall script sell for $394,000 and trademark hats fetching thousands, with many lots significantly exceeding estimates.
- Specialist advisors and auction houses are actively building relationships with celebrities and their families to secure rights to their estates.
- The buyers of these items are often a younger generation, and sometimes celebrities themselves, seeking a deeper connection with admired figures.
- Estate sales are becoming a larger part of auction houses' business, with significant increases in sales volume and value.
- The celebrity association significantly increases the value of items, often commanding a premium well beyond similar non-celebrity items.