Imagine the thrill of owning a piece of cinematic history: Darth Vader’s iconic lightsaber from Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. For one fortunate fan, this dream came true at a staggering price of $3.65 million (approximately €3.45 million).
This impressive sale took place during the Los Angeles Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction hosted by Propstore. The lightsaber is the only verified hero lightsaber from the two films that has ever been available for public auction, making this event both historic and monumental for film enthusiasts.
Brandon Allinger, CEO of Propstore, shared the significance of this sale: “Today’s result marks a landmark moment not just for Propstore, but for the entire world of film collecting. To see a Star Wars lightsaber—the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas—become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special. It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”
Notable Auction Highlights
In addition to Vader’s lightsaber, other standout items included:
- Indiana Jones’ bullwhip, gun holster, and belt from Last Crusade sold for $485,100 (approximately €460,000).
- Picard’s Resskian flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation sold for $403,200 (around €390,000).
- Tobey Maguire’s costume from Spider-Man 2 fetched $289,900 (around €275,000).
On the first day alone, 433 items were sold for a total of $14.3 million (around €13.5 million), with the auction continuing over several days, featuring over 600 additional lots.
What Else Is Available?
For passionate collectors and movie lovers, there are still many unique items up for bid. Notable props include costumes and artifacts from various Alien and The Matrix films, as well as Deathstroke’s mask from the second season of Arrow and Power Coins from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie.
If you’re considering participating, registration can be done here, with bidding commencing daily at 10 AM PT.
How much are iconic movie props truly worth? The recent auction illustrates that these treasures can fetch millions, illustrating their notable cultural significance.
What makes movie props valuable? The combination of their historical relevance, screen time, and emotional resonance with fans boosts their worth significantly.
Are there more auctions focused on memorabilia? Yes, auctions dedicated to film memorabilia are quite common and often attract high bid amounts, especially for iconic items.
What can collectors expect in future auctions? Upcoming auctions often feature unique artifacts from popular franchises, providing collectors access to items they may have thought unreachable.
What types of items do fans typically bid on? Items such as costumes, props, and personal items from beloved characters often draw strong interest and competitive bidding.
With the thrilling world of film memorabilia continuing to unfold, this auction is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey. To keep exploring the fascinating world of collectibles, visit Moyens I/O.