On what would’ve been its founder’s 89th birthday, the Jim Henson Company has confirmed a partnership with Julien’s Auctions to bring to auction more than 400 beloved archival puppets, props and pieces from shows like The Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
The move marks the first time in history that the Jim Henson Company will be offering up its treasures for a public auction, which will be held online and at company headquarters in Hollywood on La Brea Avenue. The Jim Henson Company 70th Anniversary Auction is set to take place Nov. 25. Bids will open Oct. 22, and proceeds from the special event will benefit the work of the Jim Henson Company archives.
“With tens of thousands of items catalogued in the Jim Henson Company’s archive from our 70-year history, it has been an exciting project to select the pieces that will be a part of this auction,” explained archives director Karen Falk. “This landmark event is sure to include something for every fan and collector interested in the Henson legacy and our contributions to pop culture and entertainment.”
Added Julien’s Auctions managing director of entertainment Catherine Williamson: “Jim Henson’s innovation and creativity revolutionized family entertainment, and his optimism and sincerity made him one of the most beloved artists of our time. From his brilliant and beloved Muppets characters to his technically radical creations in The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, his puppets transcended the arts, becoming cultural forces that continue to touch millions of all ages and influence today’s next generation of bold creators and artists.”
Heading to the block will be the Naia Drenchen Gelfling full-body puppet used in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (estimate: $15,000-$25,000). The puppet, seen in the fourth episode of the Emmy-winning series, represents a lead character that was also featured in the Dark Crystal novels. Other items from the prequel series include sword props used by Rian (estimate: $3,000-$5,000) and Ordon (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); skekGra the Heretic Circle of the Suns’ Skeksis chair (estimate: $4,000-$6,000), dagger and baton props (estimate: $2,000-$3,000), and Maudra Fara’s axe prop (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).