Stanley Kubrick Memorabilia Exhibit Opens in New York

The collection features iconic props from 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining ahead of a 2027 auction.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Science Fiction

Graphic illustration of a stark black monolith and a vintage wooden chair, using high-contrast cream and black colors to evoke classic cinema.
A rare collection of over 300 Stanley Kubrick film artifacts is on display in New York City ahead of a 2027 auction. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A massive collection of more than 300 lots of film memorabilia owned by director Stanley Kubrick is currently on display in New York City. The exhibition showcases legendary cinematic items, including the original Star Child prop and a signature axe from The Shining.

Why it matters

This exhibition offers fans and collectors a rare look at artifacts from some of cinema's most influential science fiction and horror films. It marks the start of an international tour before the entire archive is sold to private collectors.

The Star Child prop is expected to fetch between £600,000 and £800,000, while the foam axe from The Shining is valued at £30,000 to £50,000. These items are among the 300 lots included in the upcoming sale.

The players

Stanley Kubrick

He was an acclaimed American filmmaker known for his meticulous control over all aspects of production on iconic films like 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Bonhams

It is a privately owned British international auction house that is managing the exhibition and eventual sale of this film collection.

The details

The display at the Bonhams auction house features a variety of personal and professional items, ranging from a director's chair to annotated film treatments. Following the New York presentation, the collection will travel to Los Angeles and Paris.

Timeline

  1. The New York exhibition runs through 23 October 2026.

  2. International previews in Los Angeles and Paris begin in November 2026.

  3. The collection arrives in London on 18 January 2027.

  4. The auction sale is scheduled for 3 February 2027 in London.

Industry Dynamics

This exhibition reflects a growing market trend where private film archives are treated as high-value fine art assets. It positions these props alongside other historical artifacts sought by global collectors in an increasingly consolidated auction landscape.

New York residents can visit the Bonhams auction house in person to view these historic items before they are moved overseas. After the public exhibition cycle concludes, the only way to own these pieces will be through participating in the high-stakes London auction.

The takeaway

Collectors interested in bidding should prepare for significant competition given the rarity of these screen-used props. Casual enthusiasts should prioritize seeing these pieces in person during the local exhibition window before they are sold into private hands.

What happens next

The collection will continue its tour in Los Angeles and Paris throughout November 2026, followed by a public viewing in London starting on 18 January 2027, and the final auction on 3 February 2027.

Further reading

For more on the latest developments in genre film, see our Science Fiction section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by RTE.

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Do you believe auctioning historic movie props is a valuable way to preserve cinema history?