The Evil Dead’s Necronomicon Prop Book of the Dead Screen-Matched Naturom Demonto

Category: Prop

The Evil Dead’s Screen-Matched Naturom Demonto Sells for $132,300 at Propstore Auction

Horror collectors and Evil Dead fans, brace yourselves—one of the most iconic props in horror history has just been sold! On March 26th, 2025, the Tom Sullivan Collection: Screen-Matched Naturom Demonto (Necronomicon Ex-Mortis) Book of the Dead from The Evil Dead (1981) was auctioned off on the Propstore website, fetching an astonishing $132,300.

The Only Surviving Naturom Demonto from The Evil Dead

This screen-matched Naturom Demonto, later referred to as the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, is the only known surviving Book of the Dead from the original Evil Dead film. Created by legendary special effects artist Tom Sullivan, this prop played a pivotal role in unleashing the Kandarian Demon when the recorded incantations were played by Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his friends.

The History Behind the Book

Originally named Naturom Demonto in The Evil Dead, the book was later rebranded as the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis in Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness. The name change was inspired by horror fiction legend H.P. Lovecraft’s infamous Necronomicon, first mentioned in his 1924 short story The Hound. According to the auction listing, this is the only hero book ever created for the first film, making it an unparalleled piece of horror memorabilia.

The Prop’s Unique Features

From Tom Sullivan’s personal collection, the book is composed of a brown latex-coated cardboard cover and 38 hand-illustrated pages, each featuring Sullivan’s distinctive artwork. His inspiration came from Leonardo Da Vinci’s anatomical sketches, while the book’s ancient symbols were derived from a made-up alphabet he humorously called “Bullscrit.”

Over time, the book has aged significantly, with some latex deteriorating and the cover now separated into three pieces: the front, spine, and back. The interior pages have also detached from the cover, and one page seen in the movie has been lost since production. Despite this, the book remains a preserved, unrestored artifact, with the potential for restoration.

Auction Details

Sold for: $132,300
Dimensions: 5.5″ x 2″ x 7.5″ (14 cm x 5.25 cm x 19.25 cm)
Condition: Pages have adhesive residue, slight tearing, and separation from the original glue. Latex coating on the cover has mostly worn away, exposing the cardboard beneath.

A Must-See for Horror Collectors

This incredible piece of horror history represents the origins of The Evil Dead franchise and its lasting legacy. Fans of Sam Raimi’s classic film, horror collectors, and Evil Dead enthusiasts alike will appreciate the rarity of this artifact.