Guillermo del Toro’s Auction: A Stark Reminder of What Happens When Cultural Heritage Faces Neglect and Disaster

In January, as wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, many fled to safety — but Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro rushed back to salvage his collection of horror memorabilia that has been decades in the making. This wasn’t just a sentimental gesture; it was a desperate bid to protect a unique trove of audiovisual history that represents artistry and imagination integral not only to American culture but global creative heritage.Del Toro’s massive “Bleak House” collection spans two and a half Santa Monica residences packed with thousands of iconic artifacts including life-size figures, rare comic art by legends like Jack Kirby and Bernie...