The Sopranos may have ended its 8-year run on HBO but that doesn't mean that fans can't have what's left of the Emmy Award-winning mafia series.  James Gandolfini, who played mob boss Tony Soprano, is selling his personal costume wardrobe in Popular Culture, a new auction category at Christie's that features iconic 20th and 21st century material from the worlds of film, rock and roll, celebrity, entertainment and sport.

For those who are not familiar with The Sopranos, the series was set and produced in New Jersey and revolved around mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faced as he tried to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he headed.  Described as the most financially successful cable series in the history of television, the show earned many positive reviews and garnered numerous awards, including 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes.

The auction, which will commence in New York on June 25, will feature 24 outfits worn by the characters of The Sopranos.  These outfits, which were personally donated and authenticated by Gandolfini, include a blood-spattered black and beige polo shirt worn by Tony when he was shot at the beginning of season 6 by Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) in a fit of dementia, which is estimated to fetch up to $3,000, and his signature white tank top, light blue striped boxer shorts, striped short robe and leather scuffs that could make up to  $1,500.

Also featured are the button-down blue shirt Tony slipped on in the HBO hit's opening credits, and the tan bathrobe with lavender trim and "S" insignia Tony wore to fetch his morning paper and feed his ducks in the pilot episode.  Of course, other costumes worn by other Sopranos characters, Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) and A.J. Soprano (Robert Iler), are also up for grabs.

If buyers prove to be eager, the entire wardrobe could fetch up to $36,500.

Meanwhile, Gandolfini's effort to raise some cash doesn't involve any shady business dealings.  In fact, all proceeds of The Sopranos auction are going to the Wounded Warrior Project, which assists severely wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: christies.com
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