It’s time to play the music and light the lights. In honor of its 70th anniversary, the Jim Henson Company is opening its archives to collectors for the very first time.
Hosted by Julien’s Auctions, the Jim Henson 70th Anniversary Auction will showcase more than 400 rare items from its seven decades in showbiz. From puppets and props to pop culture icons, each piece of memorabilia reflects the magic and madness that made the Muppets so meaningful to fans worldwide. The auction will commence online and in-person on Nov. 25.
Fans can bid on puppets, props, and other pieces of pop culture history. | Source: Julien's Auctions
Hunt for this treasure on the auction block! | Source: Julien's Auctions
Miss Piggy wore these heels in the famous bicycle scene from 'The Great Muppet Caper.' | Source: Julien's Auctions
Easy, breezy, beautiful. | Source: Julien's Auctions
Bookshelf or bust. | Source: Julien's Auctions/The Pop Insider
Fans can dive headfirst into Muppet mania with everything from vintage calendars and costumes to the actual, screen-used pirate map from Muppet Treasure Island. As the series’s style icon, Miss Piggy brings all sorts of gorgeous goodies to the stage, like her lavender suede heels from the beloved bicycle scene in The Great Muppet Caper and a Cover Girl 1981 Fantasy calendar, signed by the glamorous gal herself. Whether you’re there for the story or the food, The Muppet Christmas Carol fans can add the schoolroom busts of Aristotle, Dante, Molière, and Shakespeare to their holiday decor — it’ll only cost you around $3,000-$5,000.
Head back to Fraggle Rock with these full-size puppets. | Source: Julien's Auctions/The Pop Insider
Fans can collect their very own Muppets! | Source: Julien's Auctions/The Pop Insider
Two historic Henson creations are heading for your collection. | Source: Julien's Auctions/The Pop Insider
Unlock other enchanting props and puppets from 'The Dark Crystal!' | Source: Julien's Auctions/The Pop Insider
Fans can even bid on full-size Muppets of their own! The auction will feature a variety of historic Henson creations, including a Doozer and Uncle Travelling Matt from Fraggle Rock; The Hoobs’ Iver, Tula, Groove, Roma, and Hubba Hubba; two Glig puppets from “The Land of Gortch” on Saturday Night Live; “Dog City’s” Mac, straight from The Jim Henson Hour; and even a full-bodied Naia Drenchen Gelfling, the amphibious heir from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Other enchanting props from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will also be on the block, such as the original Crystal of Truth, the source of all life and evil throughout Thra. For a setup worth squawking about, fans can also collect an animatronic puppet head for the villainous and conniving Skeksis, skekSil the Chamberlain.
The wackiness also extends to the walls. At the event, fans can browse handmade artwork from Caroll Spinney, the legendary Sesame Street puppeteer and longtime bestie of Big Bird. The pieces feature merry little monsters from all over the neighborhood, including Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, Super Grover, The Count, Zoe, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and more!
The Jim Henson 70th Anniversary Auction will take place on Nov. 25, both online and in-person in Los Angeles. However, fans can get a head start by browsing the selection now on juliensauctions.com.
