Earlier this month, we reported that the originalLuke Skywalker lightsaberused inA New Hopewas being put up for auction, along with a complete, “film-used R2-D2” prop and Darth Vader’s helmet. The auction took place earlier this week in Calabasas, California, and while the Luke Skywalker lightsaber was expected to be one of the big ticket items, the R2-D2 unite was the talk of the auction, selling for a whopping $2.76 million. While the buyer’s identity was not revealed, it was the most expensive item sold off.
The Daily Mailreports that the otherStar Warsitems sold for a pretty penny as well. The original Luke Skywalker lightsaber fromStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopesold for $450,000, while the Darth Vader helmet sold for $96,000, both of which were far above expectations. The Profiles in Hollywood auction revealed in their press release issued earlier this month that the lightsaber was expected to sell for between $150,000 and $250,000, while the Darth Vader helmet was expected to fetch between $40,000 and $60,000. There was no estimated price given for the R2-D2 unit, likely because, according to Stephanie Connell, a London-based movie memorabilia consultant, there had never been a complete film-used R2-D2 unit sold at an auction. Here’s what she had to say about this iconicR2-D2prop.
“This is not just a normal movie prop. This is instantly recognizable, the creme de la creme of movie props. This is something you could put right next to a Picasso.”
The Luke Skywalker lightsaber price is nearly double the $240,000 that the last Luke Skywalker lightsaber was sold for at an auction. While the R2-D2, Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber andDarth Vaderhelmet were the onlyStar Warsitems at the auction, there were a number of other sci-fi items up for bidding. A collection of 23 ships used inBattlestar GalacticaandBuck Rogerssold for a whopping $1.8 million, while a helmet worn by the late Bill Paxton on the set ofAliensfetched $51,000. There was even Rick Moranis' Dark Helmet prop fromSpaceballsat the auction, which sold for $39,000.
The iconic lighted dance floor from the 1975 classicSaturday Night Feversold for $1.2 million at this auction. Leonardo DiCaprio’s screen used Jack Dawson costume fromTitanicsold for $192,000, while Arnold Schwarzenegger’s screen usedConan the BarbarianAtlantean Sword sold for $192,000. Other items sold at the auction included The Golden Ticket fromWilly Wonka & the Chocolate Factory($90,000), a copy of producer Hal Wallis’Casablancashooting script ($168,000), the front entry doors to Rick’s Cafe inCasablanca($150,000), Edgar Wallace’s personal film typescript forKing Kongwith Wallace’s handwritten revisions ($120,000), Lucille Ball’s signature Lucy Ricardo polka dot dress fromI Love Lucy($114,000), Evel Knievel screen used custom 1976 Harley-Davidson XLCH 1000 jump bike from Viva Knievel! ($96,000), an Alien Queen large replica display figure fromAliens($78,000) and Jerry Seinfeld’s iconic “Puffy Shirt” fromSeinfeld($54,000).
This same company, Profiles in History, will also hold a special auction this fall, for the personal items of lateStar WarsiconCarrie Fisherand her mother Debbie Reynolds. The auction will be held Saturday, September 23. Some of theStar Wars-related items up for bidding will be Carrie Fisher’s Life Size Princess Leia Statue In Original Vintage British Phone Booth, Carrie Fisher’s on-set personalized director’s chair fromStar Wars: Return of the Jedi, Carrie Fisher’s life size C-3PO with electronic lighting elements, Carrie Fisher’s life sized bronze, limited edition Yoda statue by Lawrence A. Noble and Carrie Fisher’s vintage original 1978 KennerStar Wars Princess Leiaaction figure, still in it’s original packaging.
