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Actor Bert Lahr's "Cowardly Lion" costume from the "Wizard of Oz" is on display at Bonham's November 24, 2014 in New York. The costume was part of the "TCM Presents...There's No Place Like Hollywood" auction November 24, 2014. AFP PHOTO/Don Emmert Image Credit: AFP

Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion costume from the classic film The Wizard of Oz has sold for more than $3 million (Dh11 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 on November 24.

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.