Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro is auctioning a significant portion of his extensive horror memorabilia collection, known as "Bleak House." The collection, housed in Santa Monica, comprises over 5,000 items, including life-size figures and iconic movie props.
The first online auction begins on September 26, 2025, with subsequent auctions planned. This decision follows a recent wildfire that narrowly missed the collection, prompting del Toro to view the auction as a comprehensive estate planning measure to ensure the preservation and appreciation of these cherished artifacts by future generations.
Among the highly anticipated items are Bernie Wrightson's "Frankenstein" illustrations. Two original art pieces from Wrightson's 50 pen-and-ink drawings for the 1983 edition of Mary Shelley's novel are featured. One piece, depicting the creature near a stream, has a starting bid of $200,000, while another showing Victor Frankenstein's pursuit starts at $100,000. These works hold deep personal significance for del Toro, marking the genesis of his lifelong fascination with monsters. Notably, Wrightson's cover art for the 1983 edition previously sold for a record $1.2 million in 2019.
Fans of "Hellboy" can bid on Ron Perlman's iconic hero jacket, with a starting bid of $40,000, and the film's distinctive "Big Baby" shotgun, starting at $50,000. Del Toro has referred to these items as "historical artifacts," hoping they find custodians who recognize their artistic and historical significance.
The collection also includes H.R. Giger's concept design for "The Tourist," an unproduced science fiction and horror script, with a starting bid of $150,000. Del Toro described this piece as a significant personal "flex" and acknowledged the difficulty in parting with it.
The breadth of the collection spans del Toro's career, from his debut film "Cronos" to "Nightmare Alley," and includes works by artists such as Jack Kirby and Mike Mignola, offering a unique glimpse into his profound connection with cinematic and artistic history.