In a recent PropStore auction where 433 rare film items went under the hammer there was one item that dominating the lots like never before, a Darth Vader Hero Lightsaber.
This lightsaber shown on screen (Hero means it can be matched to a certain scene in a film specifically) during Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1982) fetched a whopping $3,654,000 (including buyer’s premium).
This standout moment of the auction blew everyone away and is the only verifiable screen used lightsaber ever to be offered at public auction and holds the title of the highest-priced Star Wars items ever sold at auction.
Other items that went under the hammer recently are as follows:
- STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) / RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) Darth Vader’s Hero Lightsaber Sold For $3,654,000
- INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989) Indiana Jones’ (Harrison Ford) Eight-Foot Bullwhip, Belt, and Whip Holster Sold For $485,100
- STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION (TV SERIES, 1987–1994) Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) Ressikan Flute and Screen-Matched Box with “The Inner Light” Costume Continuity Script Sold For $403,200
- ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019) Rick Dalton’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) Screen-Matched “Betty” Flamethrower Sold For $346,500
- MEN IN BLACK (1997) Screen-Matched Light-Up Hero Close-up Neuralyzer Sold For $315,000
- THE LONE RANGER (T.V. SERIES, 1949 – 1957) Clayton Moore’s Promotional Lone Ranger Stetson Hat Sold For $302,400
- SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004) Spider-Man’s (Tobey Maguire) Costume Sold For $289,800
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001) Sauron’s (Sala Baker) Helmet Sold For $289,800
- ALIENS (1986) Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) Practical SFX M240 Flamethrower Sold For $252,000
- SAW III (2006) Darren Lynn Bousman Collection: Animatronic Billy Puppet with Remote Sold For $176,400
- HARRY POTTER FRANCHISE (1997–2011) Platform 9 3/4 Sign Sold For $138,600
- GAME OF THRONES (TV SERIES, 2011–2019) Jon Snow’s (Kit Harington) Stunt Longclaw Sword Sold For $94,500
- RAMBO III (1988) John Rambo’s (Sylvester Stallone) Compound Bow Sold For $94,500
- JAWS (1975) Shark Tooth Clapperboard Sold For $94,500
- AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015) Captain America’s (Chris Evans) Shield Sold For $85,050
- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (2003) Elizabeth Swann’s (Keira Knightley) Screen-Matched Dusty Cursed Aztec Medallion Necklace Sold For $81,900
- HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004) Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) Marauder’s Map Scene SFX Light-Up Hero Wand Sold For $81,900
- DEADPOOL (2016) Production-made Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) Mask Sold For $21,420
- ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS (1995) Ace Ventura’s (Jim Carrey) Screen-Matched Costume Sold For $21,420
Brandon Alinger, Propstore COO commented on day one of the auction:
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.
