The Captain America hero prop shield screen-used by Chris Evans in Marvel’s 2019 blockbuster Avengers: Endgame sold for a heart-stopping $259,540 at Hake’s Auctions on November 3, 2021. The marquee item in a November 2-3 auction of premier entertainment and historical memorabilia, the star-emblazoned shield opened at $20,000 and attracted 17 bids before selling to its new owner, Wilmot “Wil” Creasy. A commercial analyst with Creasy Group (a Western Australia business focused on mining and metals exploration and investment), Creasy now adds iconic aluminum to his burgeoning pop culture portfolio, which reportedly also includes extremely rare Pokémon cards.

The shield was constructed for Endgame by Marvel Studios senior prop master Russell Bobbitt and appeared in the film’s all-important close-up scenes. Other Captain America prop shields were created for use in long shots and action sequences but typically survived for only a few scenes before sustaining damage associated with stunt work. The near-pristine shield auctioned by Hake’s was handled with care on-set so it could be featured in multiple close-up scenes throughout the film’s production.

Bidder confidence was bolstered in no small way by the shield’s impeccable provenance. Previously, it had been gifted to youth empowerment nonprofit Sand Sisters Los Angeles Inc., by Marvel Studios’ Executive Vice President Victoria Alonso. In February 2020, it was the top prize in a raffle hosted by Sand Sisters (now known as “Girl Powerful”), and raised $155,801. The shield came to Hake’s with a custom-crafted plaque and Letter of Authenticity, both signed by Bobbitt.

After the auction concluded, Hake’s president, Alex Winter, commented on the shield’s success: “This was one of those rare times when we did not assign a preauction estimate. We knew the collectors would have the final say and didn’t want to cast any expectations, but we also knew the potential for something special was definitely there. And that is what happened – a new world auction record for any Marvel movie prop was set. It’s one of the most amazing pieces Hake’s has ever offered in its 54-year history, and that is saying something considering the millions of items we have handled.”

“From the moment we had the shield in-hand, we promoted it everywhere, culminating with its in-person appearance at the Baltimore Comic-Con, where it was the star of the show,” Winter continued. “From the day it went online, bids started coming in, but it was on the final day that it jumped some $150,000 before closing at the record price. The term ‘museum quality’ is sometimes overused, but in this case, it is well deserved.”

The November 2-3 auction totaled $3.3 million and catapulted Hake’s 2021 gross to more than $10 million. Outstanding prices were achieved in all major categories of the company’s final cataloged sale of the year. The top results in Part I and Part II of the auction can be viewed on Hake’s website.