10 of the most valuable pieces of Elon Musk memorabilia
Elon Musk is a well-known entrepreneur, inventor, and CEO of multiple successful companies such as Tesla and SpaceX.
As a public figure, he has garnered a considerable following and, as a result, has a fan base that eagerly collects and purchases memorabilia related to him.
Here are 10 of the most valuable pieces of Elon Musk memorabilia that have sold at auction, along with their unique stories and significance:
1. Tesla Roadster
In 2018, Elon Musk's personal Tesla Roadster was launched into space as part of the maiden voyage of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. The vehicle, complete with a mannequin dressed in a SpaceX spacesuit, became an instant cultural icon. The original car is still floating around in space, but a replica of the Tesla Roadster sold at auction in 2021 for $1 million.
2. Signed Tesla Model S
In 2015, Elon Musk donated a custom Tesla Model S to the summer auction for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The car was signed by both DiCaprio and Musk, and the proceeds went to benefit environmental conservation efforts. The car sold for a whopping $1 million, making it one of the most expensive Tesla vehicles ever sold.
3. SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Model
In 2016, a model of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket used to launch the Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station sold for $53,125 at an auction in California. The 6-foot-tall model was signed by Elon Musk and other SpaceX executives, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of space history.
4. Signed SpaceX Flight Suit
In 2019, a SpaceX flight suit signed by Elon Musk sold for $57,500 at a charity auction in Los Angeles. The proceeds from the auction went to benefit The California Wildlife Center, which provides medical care to sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife.
5. The Boring Company Hat
In 2017, Elon Musk started The Boring Company, which aimed to alleviate traffic congestion by building underground tunnels for transportation. As part of the company's merchandise line, they sold a limited number of hats with the company logo. One of these hats sold at auction for $10,000, with the proceeds going to charity.
6. Signed SpaceX Falcon Heavy Lithograph
In 2018, a limited edition SpaceX Falcon Heavy lithograph signed by Elon Musk sold for $15,000 at a charity auction in California. The proceeds went to benefit the Summa Foundation, which aims to support scientific research and education.
7. Tesla Roadster Hot Wheels
In 2018, Hot Wheels released a limited edition Tesla Roadster toy car, inspired by the real car launched into space by SpaceX. One of these cars sold at auction for $6,000 in 2019.
8. The Muskwatch
In 2018, Timex released a limited edition watch inspired by Elon Musk called the Muskwatch. The watch featured a sleek, minimalist design and was limited to 1,000 pieces. One of these watches sold at auction for $1,200 in 2021.
9. SpaceX Falcon 1 Tank Fragment
In 2016, a fragment of a fuel tank from SpaceX's first successful Falcon 1 rocket launch sold at auction for $50,000. The fragment was signed by Elon Musk and other SpaceX executives, making it a rare and valuable piece of space history.
10. SpaceX Dragon Model
In 2013, a 1:48 scale model of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft sold for $26,000 at an auction in Beverly Hills. The model was signed by Elon Musk and other SpaceX executives and was used to test the spacecraft's design before the first launch to the International Space Station.
These 10 pieces of Elon Musk memorabilia represent just a small sample of the many items associated with him that have sold at auction.
With Musk's continued success and popularity, it's likely that more items will be offered in the future, and collectors will continue to be interested in acquiring pieces of his legacy.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.