A piece of film history has changed hands for a galactic price. Darth Vader’s original duelling lightsaber from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi has sold for $3.65 mln at a Propstore auction in Los Angeles, making it the most valuable Star Wars item ever auctioned.
The winning bid stood at $2.9 mln before fees, setting a franchise record. The weapon was wielded on screen by actor David Prowse and stunt double Bob Anderson, and carried a presale estimate of $1 mln to $3 mln. It is believed to be the only hero lightsaber from the original trilogy to reach an auction.
The Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction coincided with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Other sales included Anakin Skywalker’s stunt duelling lightsaber from the prequel trilogy, which went for $126,000, nearly double its estimate. Indiana Jones’ bullwhip and belt from The Last Crusade sold for $475,650, while Jean-Luc Picard’s flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation fetched $403,200. Rick Dalton’s flamethrower from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood went for $346,500.
«Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honoured to present this historic artefact,» said Propstore COO Brandon Alinger ahead of the sale. «It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.»
In-person bidding took place at Los Angeles’ Petersen Automotive Museum, with the auction continuing online, by phone and absentee bids through Saturday.
Back in 2022, Propstore sold a screen-matched miniature X-wing fighter used in George Lucas’ original film for more than $2.3 mln.
