#9801 • Charlton Heston's Custom "Ben Hur" Tunic W/COA

Part of Music & Hollywood Icons Historical Occasion (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $35,000-$50,000 Charlton Heston's Custom "Ben Hur" Tunic Made by Western Costume Co. Previously Sold at Sotheby's - This piece is a custom made, knee length tunic made by Western Costume Co. for Charlton Heston during the filming of the 1959 American historical drama film "Ben Hur". The tunic has a "Metro Goldwyn Mayer" label on the inside collar, along with a label from "Western Costume Co." The costume company's label is stamped "Charlton Heston", along with the sizes (chest: 44, waist: 35, sleeve: 41). Ben Hur was the fastest-grossing film as well as the highest-grossing film of 1959, in the process becoming the second-highest-grossing film of all-time (at that time) behind Gone with the Wind. The film is said to have saved MGM from financial disaster, making a profit of $20,409,000 on its initial release. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release, being nominated for 12 Academy Awards and winning an unprecedented 11. This piece will come with a copy of the invoice from when it was originally purchased from Sotheby's in 2002. The receipt will be provided to the winning bidder with the buyer's name redacted for privacy reasons. Charlton Heston (1923-2008) appeared in 100 films over 60 years, including The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, El Cid, Planet of the Apes, and many others. He has won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Bambi Award, a Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and many others. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion picture in 1960. Please note: the tunic has been dyed by the studio from its original color.