“Little Tramp” was the highlight of an auction featuring several pieces of iconic Hollywood memorabilia Nov. 18 at Bonhams. The Chaplin mementos were expected to fetch between $40,000 and $60,000, but exceeded expectations with a winning bid of $62,500. Bonham’s memorabilia specialist Lucy Carr told Reuters she is unsure how many of Chaplin’s signature bowlers still exist, but the “Little Tramp” hat came from a private collection with a direct link to Chaplin. In 2006, another Chaplin bowler hat and cane—from the film “The Great Dictator”—sold for more than $140,000.

One of the big-ticket lots is a Charlie Chaplin bowler hat and cane, from his Little Tramp days: pic.twitter.com/src9Y5bA

— Nita Lelyveld (@mydayinmaine) November 17, 2012

Chaplin’s hat and cane were not the only iconic pieces of popular culture in the auction, which is still in progress. A handwritten letter from John Lennon, including a sketch of his famous drawing “Two Virgins,” sold for $25,000. A set of early Marilyn Monroe photographs sold for $21,250, and a painting by Frank Sinatra went for $10,625.

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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