The short version
- The axe used by Jack Nicholson in The Shining is listed for sale with an estimated value between £30,000 and £50,000.
- A model of the cosmic foetus from 2001: A Space Odyssey is expected to be the highest-priced lot, potentially reaching £800,000.
- The auction includes personal items such as annotated scripts, a chess set, and costumes, reflecting Kubrick’s obsessive attention to detail.
A significant collection of artifacts from the career of Stanley Kubrick is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams in London on February 3. This sale represents the first public auction of the late director’s personal archive, offering collectors and film historians a rare opportunity to acquire items that defined some of cinema’s most influential works. The event follows a series of public exhibitions beginning in New York, with subsequent stops in Los Angeles, Paris, and finally London, where the final bidding will take place.
Among the most recognizable items is the axe wielded by Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, in the 1980 horror film The Shining. The prop, central to the movie’s climactic violence including the breach of a locked door and the death of Dick Hallorann, carries an estimated value between £30,000 and £50,000. Its inclusion highlights the tangible connection between Kubrick’s on-screen terror and physical objects that facilitated it.
Other materials from The Shining also feature prominently in the sale. Two sky-blue dresses worn by the twin sisters Alexa and Alexie Grady are included, recalling their eerie invitation to Danny Torrance in the hotel corridors. While the iconic tricycle ridden by the character Danny is not part of this specific auction, a clapperboard from the production is among four such items from Kubrick’s filmography being sold. The other clapperboards originate from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, and Eyes Wide Shut.
The item anticipated to command the highest price is the model of the cosmic foetus, known as the star child prop, which appears in the final scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Estimates suggest it could fetch up to £800,000. Claire Tole-Moir, head of popular culture at Bonhams, noted that this enigmatic image symbolizes evolution and ambiguity, cementing its status as a centerpiece of one of the most celebrated science fiction films ever made.
Beyond props, the auction offers insight into Kubrick’s creative process through his personal scripts. These documents contain his annotations, drawings, and alternative scenes for films including The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Lolita, and Spartacus. Tole-Moir described these scripts as providing an exciting window into Stanley’s creative journey, emphasizing the intellectual rigor he applied to every project.
Personal effects further illustrate the director’s personality and working methods. His director’s chair is valued at up to £12,000, while his chess set is highlighted as a reflection of his values. Tole-Moir pointed out that Kubrick appreciated chess for its strategy, patience, and discipline—qualities that mirrored his filmmaking style. He was known to play games with cast and crew during filming breaks, a habit captured in numerous photographs.
The scope of this archive distinguishes it from previous directorial collections sold at auction. Tole-Moir emphasized the depth, quality, and intellect preserved within these items, noting that they encompass decades of scholarship and deliberate preservation. The term Kubrickian has entered common usage to describe meticulous attention to detail and technical mastery, traits evident in both his films and the care taken with his personal belongings.
For fans and historians, this sale marks a landmark moment in accessing the physical remnants of Kubrick’s legacy. Few directors have had such an overwhelming impact on visual culture, and this collection offers a tangible link to that influence. The auction provides not just memorabilia, but a curated glimpse into the mind of a filmmaker whose work remains deeply pessimistic yet technically unparalleled.
As the exhibitions proceed across major cultural hubs, interest is expected to remain high among collectors seeking pieces of cinematic history. The combination of iconic props, annotated scripts, and personal items creates a comprehensive portrait of Kubrick’s artistic life. This event underscores the enduring fascination with his work and the tangible artifacts that brought his visions to life.
The sale concludes in London on February 3, following weeks of public display. Each item tells a part of the story behind films that have shaped modern cinema. From the chilling axe of The Shining to the cosmic mystery of 2001: A Space Odyssey, these objects serve as reminders of Kubrick’s profound influence on visual storytelling and his relentless pursuit of perfection.
Sources behind this briefing
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- The Guardian US↗The Shining axe used by Jack Nicholson for sale as part Stanley Kubrick auction
