In the world of collectibles, few things carry the mystique and monetary weight of a signature. Autographs turn everyday objects into cultural artefacts and sometimes, multimillion-pound investments.

From Muhammad Ali’s title belt to Judy Garland’s ruby slippers, these are the 25 most valuable signed items ever sold, ranked by sale price in GBP. Where applicable, older sales are adjusted for inflation to reflect today’s value.

1. Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers (Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz)

Sold: Dec 2024 — £26.5 million
Hollywood’s most iconic costume piece. The slippers broke all auction records and now sit at the top of memorabilia history.

2. Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” 1932 Jersey

Sold: Aug 2024 — £19.6 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £23 million
This legendary Yankees jersey was worn during Ruth’s famous World Series home run — the most iconic baseball collectible of all time.

3. Citizen Kane “Rosebud” Sled

Sold: Jul 2025 — £11 million
One of only three sleds created for the film. Its cultural significance and pristine condition made it a top cinematic collectible.

4. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card

Sold: Aug 2022 — £10.2 million
Arguably the most celebrated sports card ever, with a near-perfect grade and massive cultural cachet.

5. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals “Last Dance” Shoes

Sold: Apr 2023 — £1.8 million
Autographed Air Jordans from the final championship game. The ultimate sneakerhead trophy.

6. Diego Maradona’s 1986 “Hand of God” Jersey

Sold: Nov 2022 — £7.1 million
Worn during his infamous World Cup quarterfinal goal. A legendary piece of football history.

7. Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals Jersey

Sold: Jan 2023 — £8.8 million
Game-worn and signed. Currently the highest-selling basketball jersey ever.

8. Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” Belt

Sold: Jun 2022 — £5 million
Ali’s WBC belt from his legendary fight against George Foreman in Zaire, 1974.

9. Babe Ruth’s 1920s Yankees Game-Worn Jersey

Sold: Oct 2019 — £4.7 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £5.2 million
An early uniform from one of baseball’s all-time greats.

10. Mark McGwire’s 70th Home Run Baseball

Sold: 1999 — £1.86 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £3 million
This historic ball marked McGwire’s record-breaking season.

11. Babe Ruth’s 1933 World Series Ring

Sold: 2017 — £3.5 million
A one-of-a-kind championship ring from the Sultan of Swat.

12. T206 Honus Wagner “Jumbo” Card

Sold: 2016 — £2.9 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £3.1 million
Fewer than 60 known to exist, making this the Mona Lisa of baseball cards.

13. Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Guitar

Sold: 2020 — £360,000
Adjusted for inflation: £430,000
Used in Nirvana’s iconic performance — a generational artefact.

14. John Lennon’s Gibson J-160E

Sold: Nov 2015 — £1.9 million
Lost for decades, this guitar reemerged as a priceless Beatles relic.

15. Bob Dylan’s Handwritten “Like a Rolling Stone” Lyrics

Sold: Jun 2014 — £1.6 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £1.9 million
Original draft lyrics from a song that changed rock music forever.

16. Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr President” Dress

Sold: Nov 2016 — £3.8 million
A historic, custom-designed gown worn for JFK’s birthday.

17. Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s Dress

Sold: 2011 — £1.2 million
Adjusted for inflation: £1.6 million
Perhaps the most iconic film dress of all time.

18. Abraham Lincoln’s Signed Emancipation Proclamation

Sold: Approx 1993 — £1.4 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £2.6 million
One of the rarest autographs in US political history.

19. Winston Churchill’s WWII Letter

Sold: 2017 — £500,000
Signed wartime correspondence reflecting Churchill’s leadership.

20. JFK Presidential Letter

Sold: 2023 — £130,000
An original, authenticated Kennedy signature from the White House.

21. Amelia Earhart Signed Photograph

Sold: 1985 — £80,000
Adjusted for inflation: £260,000
Rare due to her disappearance — very few authentic examples exist.

22. Steve Jobs Signed Apple-1

Sold: 2022 — £150,000
A Jobs signature is exceedingly rare — especially on hardware.

23. Marilyn Monroe’s Seven Year Itch Dress

Sold: 2011 — £3 million
Adjusted for inflation: £3.9 million
The famous subway grate scene turned this into a collector’s dream.

24. James Dean Signed Photograph

Sold: 1990 — £75,000
Adjusted for inflation: £200,000
Dean died young, making signed items nearly impossible to find.

25. George Washington’s Signed Constitution Copy

Sold: 2009 — £4 million
Inflation-adjusted value: £5.5 million
An unmatched piece of political history and founding Americana.