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The Marauder’s Map from the Harry Potter films has smashed records to become the most expensive prop ever sold from the movie franchise.
The prop, which famously first appeared in Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, sold for $299,250 at the Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction on Thursday, November 14.
Proceeds from the sale will go to help David Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe’s former stunt double, who became a quadriplegic after breaking his neck on set in 2009.
Holmes, 43, had been rehearsing a fight scene for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 when he sustained an injury that paralyzed him from the neck down.
“This auction has been especially meaningful, with David Holmes joining us in the room to introduce the incredible Marauder’s Map, which has broken a world-record for the most expensive Harry Potter prop sold at auction,” founder and CEO of Propstore, Stephen Lane, said via a press release. “With more incredible items set to go under the hammer over the next three days, we invite collectors and fans worldwide to participate in this unforgettable event.”
Prior to the auction, Holmes, who owned the Marauder’s Map, shared via Instagram why he was selling the prop.
“While digging through some old memorabilia from my days on the Potter set, I stumbled upon something truly magical—a real, on-screen Marauder’s Map, tucked away with the get-well cards my mum saved from my time at Stanmore Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, where I was in rehab. For fans, you’ll remember this map from Prisoner of Azkaban, helping Harry navigate the hallways of Hogwarts and revealing everyone’s comings and goings,” Holmes wrote in October.
Holmes added that life has been tough over the past year, elaborating on the struggles he’s been forced to face – including financial difficulties.
“This year has been challenging. Earlier, I was the victim of a targeted scam that wiped out my savings in cryptocurrency—money my girlfriend (who shares a similar disability) and I had set aside for winter getaways. Due to our conditions, we struggle to regulate our body temperatures, making the cold months incredibly painful and difficult to endure. So, losing that money was a tough blow, to say the least,” he wrote.
Holmes continued, “Being a quadriplegic comes with overwhelming expenses—24-hour care, specialized equipment, adapted vehicles—you name it. Though parting with this special piece of my past wasn’t an easy decision, I’ve chosen to auction the Marauder’s Map at the Prop Store Auction.”
