Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, August 26th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 5:30 PM (GMT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, August 27th or Friday, August 28th or Saturday, August 29th.
Library Ghost "Gray Lady's" (Ruth Hale Oliver) photo-matched costume with a chest appliance from Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters. In the tone-setting opening sequence, university parapsychology professors Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) were called to the New York Public Library, where a librarian (Alice Drummond) claimed to have encountered an apparition.
As they explored the archives, they discovered the otherworldly Gray Lady, a ghost of a librarian, who then transformed into a monstrous figure after the three professors tried to grab her. This, followed by their dismissal, set the stage for the professors to form the Ghostbusters. Distinctive patterning in the hand-stitched fabric on the left shoulder of the dress photo-matches to behind-the-scenes stills of the Library Ghost.
Ghostbusters received critical acclaim after its release and became a cultural phenomenon. Having been the highest-grossing comedy ever at the time, it is considered one of the first blockbusters and spawned a multi-billion-dollar multimedia franchise as well as a dedicated fanbase. This costume is coming to auction for the first time.
Believed to be the only example of this ensemble from the film, it consists of a foam latex chest and stomach appliance, a high collar polyblend fabric dress with lace detailing from Michael-Jon, a brassiere, a pair of waistbelts, a pair of heeled shoes, and a production tag. The foam appliance is affixed to a sleeveless cotton top from Adidas with a production-made cut up the back and hand-stitched ties in the back. The production tag reads "Ruth Oliver" handwritten on it alongside the production number "132994" and the note "Take in Belt." This lot shows wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age.
Estimate: $8,000 - 16,000
View all lots from GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)
View all lots from Mark Stetson Collection
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.