Few filmmakers have shaped the visual language of cinema quite like Stanley Kubrick. His films are remembered not only for their storytelling, but also for the striking imagery that continues to resonate across generations. Among the most recognisable is the Star Child from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), the director’s landmark science-fiction film that transformed the possibilities of cinematic storytelling.
Now, the original prop will headline The Stanley Kubrick Collection at Bonhams, with an estimate of £600,000 to £800,000. The enigmatic figure, which appears in the film’s closing moments, remains one of Kubrick’s most enduring images, encapsulating the film’s ambitious exploration of humanity, evolution and the unknown.
Its appearance at auction offers collectors an opportunity to acquire an artefact connected to a work that continues to influence filmmakers, artists and designers more than half a century after its release. Another highlight comes from The Shining (1980), Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel.
The production-used costumes worn by the Grady Sisters, estimated at £40,000 to £60,000, recall one of the film’s most unsettling encounters. Also offered is Jack Torrance’s special-effects axe, used in the murder scene involving Dick Hallorann, with an estimate of £30,000 to £50,000. Both objects speak to Kubrick’s ability to turn carefully composed imagery into moments that remain embedded in popular culture.
More Than Props
Beyond these instantly recognisable pieces, the collection offers insight into the meticulous working methods behind the films. Kubrick’s heavily annotated script for Lolita (1962) carries an estimate of £40,000 to £60,000, while his personal annotated script for Spartacus (1960) is estimated at £20,000 to £40,000.
Original storyboard sketches from Spartacus, meanwhile, are expected to fetch £2,000 to £3,000, providing a glimpse into the visual planning behind one of his earlier major productions. The filmmaker’s personal possessions offer a different perspective. His director’s chair is estimated at £8,000 to £12,000, while a chess set owned by Kubrick carries an estimate of £2,000 to £4,000, reflecting his longstanding interest in the game.
Together, these objects reveal a more personal dimension to a director whose exacting approach to his craft became almost as legendary as the films themselves. Drawn directly from the Stanley Kubrick Film Archives, the collection will be presented at Bonhams’ 101 New Bond Street premises in London.
The live auction takes place on 3 February 2027, followed by an online auction ending on 4 February at noon. A free public exhibition of the collection will run from 18 January to 3 February 2027, offering visitors an opportunity to encounter these pieces of film history before they find new homes.
