Inside the Collection: Meet Chris Christian
He's already racked up countless gold records, but his collection deserves a spotlight of its own.
Aug. 4, 2024
Legendary music producer and performer Chris Christian has racked up multiple Grammy Awards and countless gold records while working with artists including Olivia Newton-John and Hall & Oates. But today, it's his collection of props and costumes that really takes the prize.
Chris is all about the stories and memories attached to each item in his collection. It's memories over money any day for this collector. His goal in collecting is to evoke emotion and bring people a nostalgic feeling.
With iconic items such as the Wayne's World guitar, the bench from Forrest Gump and a full set of costumes from The Sound of Music; it's safe to say that his collection is the blast from the past we all needed.
Take a look at his collection of props and costumes, worthy of another gold medal!
1. Wayne's World Guitar & Sign
"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!"
Chris is more than worthy of owning this iconic guitar, as seen in the 1992 film Wayne's World.
This is one of the most famous guitars in the world because it was screen-used on one of the most celebrated and quoted movies in history.
It's a guitar our Grammy Award-winning collector knew he had to have for his iconic collection.
It's a rare, one-of-a-kind item that represented so much of the movie. This type of guitar, which only true Wayne's World fans will recognize, would typically be priced between $20,000 and $30,000. However, this one deserves an ultra-special price.
Our expert valued both the guitar and the neon sign at $75,000. Party on, Chris!
2. Captain Kangaroo & Mr. Green Jeans Costumes
These items will take many people right back to their childhoods! We know Lisa was transported to hers. Were you?
These costumes belonged to Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans, as seen on Captain Kangaroo, which ran from 1955 to 1992.
Chris had the opportunity to meet and know Robert Keeshan, who played the character of Captain Kangaroo. The moment is more important than the price of this item and the memory behind the costumes holds the most value for Chris.
Chris received these costumes as a gift. The package included the red jacket, the suit, and the iconic wig.
As far as he knows, he's the only one who owns the iconic wig that was crucial to completing Captain Kangaroo's look.
Our expert valued these items at $25,000, but Chris will never sell them.
3. The Tonight Show Rambo Costume
This Rambo costume is from one of the most iconic and memorable sketches ever performed by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show (1962).
Chris got a bargain on this costume during an auction hosted by the Directors Guild of America. It even came with a letter from Johnny Carson's secretary on The Tonight Show.
This costume could be seen every night in the opening credits of the talk show and is instantly recognizable for most Carson fans.
According to our expert, almost none of Johnny Carson's costumes are available for purchase today, which makes this costume ever rarer to own.
Although Chris has never tried on this costume, he can make himself laugh just looking at it.
Our expert valued this Carson costume at $50,000.
4. Elvis Presley's Victrola
This is one of the most valuable Victrolas in history. So valuable that Chris would never part with it.
Chris worked with Elvis Presley in his early 20s, and Elvis recorded a song that Chris wrote in high school. The song was featured on Elvis's 1974 album, Promise Land. The name of the song is "Love Song of the Year."
He had the opportunity to keep working with Elvis and the entire band. The King of Rock 'n' Roll himself gave this item to Chris, adding to its value and special meaning.
Although Victrolas aren't very valuable anymore, Elvis's overall value has increased over time.
Our expert valued this item at $10,000. However, Lisa would argue it's worth more than that.
5. Forrest Gump Boots, Shirt & Bench
"Life is like a box of chocolates," and so is Chris's collection! You just never know what iconic item he's going to feature next.
His desire was for people to see an item and immediately recognize which movie or scene it's from. It's safe to say he nailed it with this Forrest Gump (1994) bench, boots and shirt. Chris purchased these three pieces in chunks over time.
According to our expert, there were four fiberglass benches and several wooden benches made for the shoot and the set. The wooden bench is considered the more prized possession between the two types because of the material.
A few years ago, one of the fiberglass benches sold for around $21,000.
Although there is no concrete price guide that tells our expert how much these Forrest Gump items are worth, he valued all three at $40,000.
6. The Sound of Music Curtain Costumes
The hills are alive with these iconic costumes! We'd be afraid to even touch these pieces of history.
These are original costumes from The Sound of Music (1965). It's Chris's goal to have the largest Sound of Music collection in history—and these are a great addition.
He owns all seven of the original costumes. They may have all been different as kids and characters, but they shared one thing in common throughout the film: these dresses.
They made more than one set of these costumes, but according to our expert, this is the original set, which adds to its overall value.
Our expert valued the costumes at $1,000,000. Although, Chris would never sell them. Memories matter more than money.
7. The total value of his collection:
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