The fictional, money-loving Roy family from HBO’s Succession would have been pleased after bidders spent thousands of dollars on props, like note cards and magazines used on the show, at Heritage Auctions’ showcase.
The auction ended on Saturday, just before the series collected six trophies for its final season at the 75th Emmy Awards.
Just three hours after Succession Showcase began, offers for the 236 items from the HBO drama’s set already accumulated bids that totaled $627,825, Heritage Auctions told Yahoo Entertainment. Many of the participants were first-time bidders with the auction house, a likely testament to the show’s rabid fandom.
Roman Roy’s (Kieran Culkin) handwritten eulogy across three pink notecards (the fourth one, which is included in the set, is left blank) for his father’s funeral in the penultimate episode earned the highest bid, with a final price of $25,000.
Close behind was another undelivered speech from the second season’s finale — Kendall Roy’s (Jeremy Strong) statement from when he was supposed to take the fall for Waystar’s cruise line scandal. The winning bid for the memo was $18,750. It included two copies of the statement, one of which Kendall tears up while walking offstage.
Also selling for $18,750 was an item a bidder paid up for the “ludicrously capacious” Burberry bag Greg’s (Nicholas Braun) date wears to Logan’s (Brian Cox) birthday party in the Season Four premiere. The bag’s presence in the episode was brief, but Tom Wambsgans’s (Matthew Macfadyen) speech about it became meme-fodder in March 2023 and spiked Google searches for “Burberry tote bag” by 310% the day the episode aired. The purse normally retails for less than $3,000.
One of the top-selling items was from the “Connor’s Wedding” episode in the show’s most recent season — which won Emmys for outstanding directing for a drama series and outstanding writing for a drama series.
Shiv Roy’s (Sarah Snook) written statement to the media after Logan died sold for $17,500 at auction. Snook took home the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series and Succession’s final season won the Emmy for outstanding drama series.
The least expensive item sold at the auction was Logan’s bandages and ankle boot from Season Three, Episode Four, which sold for $600.
Overall, Heritage received more than 10,000 bids from Succession fans all over the world. Still, some people who were less inclined to drop thousands of dollars on a lighter were surprised by which items were sold over their estimated value.
WHO bought roman roy’s note cards for $25,000 at the succession auction jesus christ
— kristie (@krxstie) January 13, 2024
succession auction is hilarious because a $2 lighter is going for $320 right now and actual $3000 ralph lauren suits are like $800
— anne (@onepoorsonnet) January 12, 2024
the succession auction is so lawless because wdym I could bid on a vitamix for $92 but roman’s $11 walmart shirt and old navy shorts are going for upwards of $350
— gaby iori (@gabyaiori) December 22, 2023
Jax Strobel, the managing director of Heritage Auctions, told Yahoo Entertainment prior to the showcase that the appeal of owning part of your favorite series is the sell for some bidders.
“How often do you get a chance to watch a TV show today and own something from it tomorrow?” he said. “It’s a thrill for those of us who love Succession.”
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
