Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane sells for $14.75 million at auction

A piece of cinematic history, the Rosebud sled from the iconic film Citizen Kane, has been sold for $14.75 million at auction. The sled, which played a pivotal role in the film’s famous opening scene, is one of only a few known to have survived. It was believed to be lost until 1984 when director Joe Dante saved it from destruction. Dante, a fan of the film, later used the sled as a reference in his own work, including in the film *Gremlins 2: The New Batch*. The auctioned sled is now the second most expensive film prop ever sold, trailing only the ruby slippers from *The Wizard of Oz*, which fetched $32 million in December. Although other versions of the Rosebud sled have been sold, including one to Steven Spielberg, this particular sled had not been seen for many years until it ended up in Dante’s hands. Dante, who was working on *Explorers* at the time, received the sled from a studio worker clearing out old storage areas. The buyer of the sled remains anonymous. The sale underscores the enduring appeal of *Citizen Kane* and the cultural significance of its props.