(UIP, 1960) A beautiful, wooden-handled metal sword withornate red scabbard with Roman fittings cast in brass, accompanied with the original leather strap (severed in the middle, secured diagonallyacross the chest) with brass button appliqué. Worn and used by Douglas in the title role in several key scenes of the film, including the gladiator take-over sequence. Costume designers Valles and Bill Thomas won an Academy Award for Best Costume design for their work, and the film won three others including Best Art Direction – Set Decoration and Best Supporting Actor (Peter Ustinov). The sword comes with a copy of a letter of authenticity from William Cockrell, a driver on the set, in which he states that Douglas presented this sword and other costume pieces to him at the conclusion of filming in 1960 as thanks for his service.

Estimate $4,000 – $6,000