(NewsNation) — A controversial prop from the movie “Titanic” sold for more than $700,000 at auction.
Heritage Auctions said the wood piece that character Jack Dawson insisted Rose DeWitt Bukater hold onto until help arrived sold for $718,750.
The auction site explained the piece “was in reality part of the door frame just above the first-class lounge entrance. … Both the salvaged piece of debris and the film prop reflect the opulent design scheme of original shipbuilder Harland and Wolff.”
It’s a controversial piece because for years fans have argued that Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, could have shared the wood piece and floated alongside Rose, played by Kate Winslet.
On social media, the auction house said the piece was the “king of the auction.”
“Based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the 1912 tragedy, this intricately carved prop bears a striking resemblance to the Louis XV-style panel housed in the Maritime Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia,” Heritage Auctions said.
The piece was sold in the company’s annual “Treasures From Planet Hollywood” auction, raising over $15.6 million. The “Titanic” piece was the highest selling item from the auction.
Other props from the film also sold during the auction, including the ship’s helm wheel that went for $200,000 and Rose’s chiffon dress she wore while the ship was sinking that sold for $118,750.