The Facts
Joe Maddalena has joined Heritage Auctions as Executive Vice President, bringing a 35-year career as the founder of Profiles in History, the world's largest auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia. Among the iconic items he sold are Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and Marilyn Monroe's "subway dress" from "The Seven Year Itch," which realized $5.52 million in 2011. Maddalena is widely recognized as a leading authority on entertainment memorabilia and historical documents, and he starred for three seasons on Syfy's "Hollywood Treasure."
The Signal
Maddalena's appointment bolsters Heritage Auctions' expertise in pop culture and entertainment memorabilia, a sector where he holds numerous Guinness World Records for screen-used items. His extensive relationships with major collectors and knowledge across categories including nature, science, rare books, and wine will enable Heritage to serve clients more efficiently. The move signals Heritage's strategic expansion into specialized collecting fields beyond traditional fine art.
- People: Joe Maddalena
- Auction Houses: Heritage Auctions
- Prices: $5.52 million
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
