Matrix props drove Wachowski collection sale to almost $500K

CHICAGO – Potter & Potter Auctions‘ Enter the Matrix: The Wachowski Collection sale was as breathtaking as its namesake legacy film. The May 12 event, which totaled $492,000, generated a contribution of more than $300,000 for the Protect and Defend Trans Youth Fund. The offerings included memorabilia, props, awards and concept art from classic movies including The Matrix, V for Vendetta, Sense8, Jupiter Ascending and Cloud Atlas.

Top lot honors went to a lightning rifle prop from The Matrix. Estimated at $2,000-$4,000, it traded hands at $78,000. It was made from resin, rubber and foam and included a barcode identifying it as property of Ravenswood Kinowerks, Inc.

Also, a display from V for Vendetta, estimated at $1,200-$2,000, earned $8,400. It included a plastic mask sent by V (Hugo Weaving) to the citizens of London in preparation for his final destruction of the Houses of Parliament. It was framed in a shadow box with a prop British Freight Company box, a ticket to the premiere of V for Vendetta, and an invitation to the afterparty.

Concept maquettes – preproduction scaled models used to help plan and engineer key film scenes – also stole the show at this auction. A Nebuchadnezzar concept maquette from The Matrix, estimated at $1,500-$3,000, achieved $36,000. This hovercraft was captained by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in The Matrix and The Matrix Reloaded. This vehicle was cited in Transpersonal Management: Lessons from the Matrix Trilogy as representative of the machines’ arrogance in claiming divinity as well as the warrior spirit of the rebels in their fight for humanity’s liberation from the machines.

Another standout was a Sentinel autonomous machine concept maquette from The Matrix. It had been estimated at $1,200-$3,000 and made $14,400. This original, full-length resin model was constructed for reference use during the effects design phases of The Matrix original trilogy.

This sale also included selections of original concept illustrations from the Wachowskis’ vast portfolio, such as a group of 14 original concept illustrations from The Matrix and its sequels. Estimated at $100-$200, the group realized $5,280. Each measured 11 by 17in; the collection included art depicting The Dock and other areas rendered in full color.

Awards, ephemera and other industry rarities from the Wachowskis’ own collections rounded out the offerings, which included a 2000 MTV Movie Award for Best Director presented to Lilly Wachowski for The Matrix. It was estimated at $800-$1,000 and made $6,000. This 11in-tall statuette took the form of a gilt box of popcorn and was emblazoned with the MTV Movie Awards 2000 logo.

 

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