Northern Ireland

Kate Winslet’s Titanic movie coat to be sold at auction for up to £200,000

It is among hundreds of movie props up for auction in the United States next month

PICTURE: PROPSTORE AUCTION
Kate Winslet, who played Rose DeWitt Bukater, wore the coat during the iconic sinking scene in the hit 1997 movie Titanic. PICTURE: PROPSTORE AUCTION
By Suzanne McGonagle

The “sinking coat” worn by Kate Winslet in the movie Titanic is to be sold at auction in the United States with bids expected to be as high as £200,000.

The Hollywood actress, who played Rose DeWitt Bukater, wore the coat during the iconic sinking scene in the hit 1997 film.

PICTURE: PROPSTORE AUCTION
The light-pink coat is first seen worn in the film by Kate Winslet’s character shortly after the ship hits the iceberg. PICTURE: PROPSTORE AUCTION

The movie, from director James Cameron, retold the story of the sinking of the Belfast-built ship that sank after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912.

Around 1,500 died on its journey from Southampton to New York.

The light-pink coat, featuring black embroidery along the collar and cuffs, and black thread woven buttons over the chest, is first seen worn in the film by Winslet’s character after the ship hits the iceberg.

The Titanic departing Southampton ahead of it's ill-fated maiden voyage. PICTURE: AP
The Titanic departing Southampton ahead of it's ill-fated maiden voyage. PICTURE: AP

The guide price is listed as $125,000 - $250,000 by Propstore Auction.

It is among hundreds of movie props being sold in the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction from August 15-18.

The Propstore Auction states on its website: “Rose wore her coat as crew members aboard the Titanic informed passengers to put on their life belts and when she attempted to save Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) from drowning in the lower level holding area.

“This coat screen-matches to the scene where Rose spoke with Mr Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber) about the ship sinking by the grand staircase.

“Due to the nature of the scene where the piece would be submerged in a water tank for hours at a time, production produced several copies of Bukater’s sinking coats for use throughout production.

“This particular coat, a pink wool and polyester-blend coat, features black embroidery along the collar and cuffs, and black thread woven buttons over the chest.

“It includes one beige cloth production bag and a pair of color-printed photo stills of Winslet wearing the coat in a black metal frame.

“This lot exhibits minor discoloration.”