Christie's launches Pop Culture division after US$105 million Irsay memorabilia sales
Christie's has launched a dedicated Pop Culture division for film, music, sport and entertainment memorabilia. The news was reported by ARTnews on 23 September 2026.
The launch follows the Jim Irsay Collection sales, which totalled US$105 million, according to that report. Memorabilia, objects kept for their link to a star, film or historic moment, is now a saleroom category in its own right.
Irsay was the late owner of the Indianapolis Colts, the American football team. His collection was sold through Christie's, the global auction house, in a series of five auctions, as reported by WRTV.
That series was described as the largest sale in memorabilia history. July reports put the precise total at US$105,266,766 and noted the record status, with coverage from WRTV, Axios and the Indianapolis Star. Five sales. One owner. A very big number.
The run included The Jim Irsay Collection: Hall of Fame sale, a live sale, where bidders compete in real time in the room, online and by phone, held on 12 March, according to Christie's.
It is not Christie's first foray into entertainment history. The house has previously sold the striped jacket worn by Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins, as reported by Robb Report.
The wider field has its own specialists. They include Joshua Benesh, described as chief strategy officer at Heritage Auctions, the collectables auction house, in that same Robb Report account.
For fans, this means more red-carpet lots with full paperwork and global bidding. Prices stay public. Stories travel with the objects.
