Hollywood
Cowardly Lion costume worn by Bert Lahr in 1939 film ‘Wizard of Oz’ to be auctioned
The costume for the Cowardly Lion in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ was made from real lion skins. TRF_Mr_Hyde / Flickr.
LOS ANGELES—Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion costume from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” is up for sale.
The costume will be auctioned with other Hollywood items Monday in New York by Bonhams, according to a spokesman for costume owner James Comisar.
The big cat outfit has been authenticated as the one Lahr wore in the 1939 film, according to a Bonhams’ sales catalogue. It is topped by a sculpted likeness of the late actor.
A secondary costume used in the film was sold at auction in recent years for close to $1 million, the owner’s spokesman said.
Comisar has a trove of TV memorabilia from shows including “I Love Lucy” and “Lost.” He has said he plans to use money from the Cowardly Lion costume sale to exhibit his collection.
