Indiana Jones’ iconic fedora sells for almost £500,000 at auction… despite only appearing in a few scenes

It’s no surprise then that Indiana Jones’ famous hat, one of the most famous props in film history, comes with a hefty price tag.

But even seasoned fans will be amazed to hear that the hat, worn by Harrison Ford when he played the adventurous archaeologist in the 1984 film Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, has sold at auction for £488,464.

Amazingly, the anonymous buyer paid almost £500,000 for the trinket, despite it only being seen in the opening scenes of the film. Another copy was used for one of the film’s most memorable moments, when Jones tries to grab the trinket back before a shutter slams shut.

The sable felt hat, also used by Ford’s stunt double, was an update of the original version used in Raiders Of The Lost Ark, the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, and featured a more tapered crown.

Hold on to your hat: The prop was used in many of the film’s iconic scenes, including when Jones risks his hand to grab it back before a trapdoor slams shut

Inside is the blue coat of arms of the famous London hatter Herbert Johnson, who made it.

The hat is said to have been used in the river scene at the beginning of the film, where Jones jumps from a plane onto a raft.

Props from Batman, Star Wars, Alien, James Bond and Gladiator were also sold at the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles.

Brandon Alinger, chief operating officer of auction house Propstore, said he was “thrilled by the incredible success” of the event, adding that it “not only exceeded our expectations but also highlighted the timeless appeal of franchises like Batman, Star Wars, Alien and Indiana Jones, as well as milestones like Forrest Gump and cult classics like Happy Gilmore”.

A six-foot-long model of a Batwing aircraft used in the 1989 film Batman starring Michael Keaton fetched £314,000, while a Skyfall suit worn by Daniel Craig during a chase on the London Underground fetched £24,400.

An Imperial Trooper helmet from the 1983 Star Wars film Return Of The Jedi fetched almost £250,000, and a Darth Vader outfit from 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back sold for £120,000.

Top of the props: An auctioneer holds up the famous hat during the auction in Los Angeles

Kudos to the makers: despite being a prop, the sable felt hat exudes quality and was designed by famed hat maker Herbert Johnson

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was the second part of the successful film series, which started more than 44 years ago with Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981).

The first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, was directed by Steven Spielberg from a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. The screenplay was written by Lawrence Kasdan.

Raiders was a huge success with fans, grossing £301 million.

The Temple of Doom (1984) served as the first sequel and was again a huge box office success, grossing £256 million.

It would be another five years before The Last Crusade (1989) was released, and it outgrossed the previous two versions, grossing £366 million.

It took more than 19 years for the fourth installment, The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2008), to premiere.

Indy’s first outing: The blockbuster series began with Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981

The film was an instant hit in all three parts, grossing a whopping £611 million.

Last year, Indiana Jones And The Dial of Destiny was released.

“Indiana Jones movies are about fantasy and mystery, but also about heart. ‘We have a great story to tell, and also a movie that will kick your ass,’ Harrison, now 82, said at a screening of the fifth, and expected final, Indiana Jones film.