HOUSTON — Maria Medeles’ Astroworld obsession began with buying a bench when the theme park closed in 2005.
“My daughter wanted a bench because she loved Astroworld,” Medeles said. “I ended up with half of Astroworld.”
She’s packed much of her collection, including hundreds of signs, inside and outside some of her businesses.
She even bought an outdoor event space that was known as the “Big Barn.”
“I’ve probably spent a couple of hundred thousand dollars,” Medeles said.
2018 brought a new fascination with Astroworld thanks to a rapper with local roots, Travis Scott. He named an album and subsequent festival “Astroworld.”
Medeles said he even bought a vintage sign for $30,000.
“And that’s why we decided to do the auction now,” Medeles said. “To take advantage of this concert that he’s doing again.”
Photos: Astroworld memorabilia auction features hundreds of items
You can already make bids on most of the memorabilia on a website. It’ll be followed by a live auction later this month at 7710 East Freeway.
“We’re talking about a lot of stuff,” said Ken Spicer with SiTE Auction Services.
Spicer estimated there are hundreds and hundreds of pieces in Medeles’ entire collection spread across multiple properties. He said the auction could bring as much as $1 million depending on demand from Travis Scott fans and aging fans of a long gone theme park.
“You look at a sign, and it’s just a directional arrow sign,” Spicer said. “Well, it’s an Astroworld sign now, it’s not just an arrow.”
It’s certainly not just “stuff” to its owner.
“Yes, it hurts,” Medeles said.
Medeles said she hopes it brings happiness to whomever gets its next.