‘Wizard of Oz’ Cowardly Lion costume fetches $3M

‘Wizard of Oz’ Cowardly Lion costume fetches $3M

Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume and a three-sheet poster from "The Wizard of Oz," part of the "There's No Place Like Hollywood" movie memorabilia auction at Bonhams auction house in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume from the classic film "The Wizard of Oz" has sold for more than $3 million at an auction in New York City.

Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume and a three-sheet poster from "The Wizard of Oz," part of the "There's No Place Like Hollywood" movie memorabilia auction at Bonhams auction house in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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The big cat outfit had been authenticated as the one Lahr wore in the 1939 film. Its face is a sculpted likeness of the late actor.

It sold at an auction of Hollywood items at Bonhams on Monday.

A spokesman for costume owner James Comisar says a secondary costume used in the film was sold at auction in recent years for close to $1 million.

Comisar has a trove of TV memorabilia from shows including "I Love Lucy" and "Lost." He has said he plans to use money from the Cowardly Lion costume sale to exhibit his collection.

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