Offbeat | ‘Wizard of Oz’ Cowardly Lion costume fetches USD3M

Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion costume from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” has sold for more than USD3 million at an auction in New York City.
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 yesterday.
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.