‘The Shining’ ax to fetch $67,000 at Stanley Kubrick auction

By Dean Murray

An ax used by Jack Nicholson in The Shining could fetch $67,100 as part of a major Stanley Kubrick auction.

Wielded by Nicholson's Jack Torrance character in the Dick Hallorann murder scene, it is one highlight of a Bonhams sale offering the collection of the influential director as his personal archive comes to auction for the first time.

Iconic props, scripts, equipment and personal possessions will be offered directly from the Stanley Kubrick Film Archives, with The Stanley Kubrick Collection offering fans and collectors a chance to own some of the most important artifacts in film history.

Other standout lots from the sale include Stanley Kubrick's director's chair (estimate: $10,735-$16,105), the Grady Sisters' production-used costumes from The Shining (estimate: $53,680-$80,520), and the original Star Child prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey (estimate: $805,200-$1,073,600).

Claire Tole-Moir, head of Popular Culture at Bonhams, said: "Few people have had as much of an overwhelming impact on visual culture as Stanley Kubrick. His films provide such a striking assortment of distinctive images, that you never forget your first time watching them.

"His precise, bold style and technical mastery is so distinctive that the word 'Kubrickian' even entered the English dictionary. A true visionary, Kubrick's incredible influence cannot be overstated, and Bonhams is delighted to be able to bring his collection to auction."

Katharina Kubrick said: "I believe Stanley is one of the few film directors whose life and movies continue to be extensively studied and revered, influencing, encouraging, and inspiring current and new generations of movie makers.

"Like all great artists he wasn't afraid to 'push the envelope' to achieve his uncompromising vision in his quest to make beautiful, thought-provoking films. His movies have stood the test of time and will continue to be relevant to our shared humanity as long as people love the art of great cinema."

The live auction will take place at Bonhams in London on February 3, 2027, with an online auction ending on February 4.

Highlights of the sale include:

• Stanley Kubrick's Director's Chair. Estimate: $10,735-$16,105.
• The Shining: The Grady Sisters Production-Used Costumes. Estimate: $53,680-$80,520.
• The Shining: A Production-Used Slate. Estimate: $13,420-$20,130.
• The Shining: Jack Torrance's Special Effects Ax from the Dick Hallorann Murder Scene, Warner Bros, 1980. Estimate: $40,260-$67,100.
• The Shining: A large oak refectory table produced circa 1980, in the early 18th-century style. Used in The Shining and later in daily use in Stanley's offices at home. Estimate: $20,130-$26,840.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey: The Original Star Child Prop. Estimate: $805,200-$1,073,600.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick's Annotated Copy of the 'Film Story' Treatment Journey Beyond The Stars by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, which formed the basis of Kubrick's screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey. Estimate: $40,260-$67,100.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey: Production-Used Slate, MGM, 1968. Estimate: $13,420-$20,130.
• David di Donatello Award Presented to Stanley Kubrick in 1969 for 2001: A Space Odyssey. Estimate: $10,735-$16,105.
• 2001: A Space Odyssey: A 3½-inch Questar Astronomical Telescope, American, circa 1960, used by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke. Estimate: $6,710-$9,395.
• Spartacus: Stanley Kubrick's Original Storyboard Sketches, Universal Studios, 1960. Estimate: $2,685-$4,025.
• Spartacus: Stanley Kubrick's Personal Annotated Script, Universal Studios, 1960. Estimate: $26,840-$53,680.
• A Clockwork Orange: Philip Castle Original Promotional Artwork, Warner Brothers, 1971. Estimate: $6,710-$9,395.
• Eyes Wide Shut: Lighting Test Slate, Warner Brothers, 1999. Estimate: $4,025-$6,710.
• Eyes Wide Shut: Secret Society Orgy Cloak, Warner Brothers, 1999. Estimate: $4,025-$6,710.
• Eyes Wide Shut: The Mysterious Woman's Feathered Venetian Mask, Warner Brothers, 1999. Estimate: $4,025-$6,710.
• A Chess Set Owned by Stanley Kubrick. Estimate: $2,685-$5,370.
• Lolita: Stanley Kubrick's Heavily Annotated Script. Estimate: $53,680-$80,520.
• Barry Lyndon: A Production-Used Slate. Estimate: $6,710-$9,395.
• Full Metal Jacket: Philip Castle Original Key Artwork – 'Born To Kill' Helmet, Warner Brothers, 1987. Estimate: $13,420-$20,130.
• David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Producer awarded to Stanley Kubrick in 1988 for Full Metal Jacket. Estimate: $4,025-$6,710.
• Artificial Intelligence A.I.: A Fangorn Original Set Design for Rouge City, Warner Brothers, 2001. Estimate: $670-$940.
• Stanley Kubrick's Taylor-Hobson Cooke Speed Panchro Director's Viewfinder, with white label initialed "SK", as seen on the set of The Shining. Estimate: $13,420-$20,130.
• Stanley Kubrick's Golden Lion, Int. Film Festival Venice 'Lifetime Achievement' award, 1997. Estimate: $8,050-$10,735.