The 10 most valuable pieces of Star Wars memorabilia sold at auction
Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon that has captivated audiences around the world since the release of the first film in 1977.
The franchise has spawned a vast array of merchandise, from action figures and toys to costumes and props used in the movies.
Here are the ten most valuable pieces of Star Wars memorabilia ever sold at auction:
1. Darth Vader Helmet
One of the original Darth Vader helmets worn by actor David Prowse in the first Star Wars movie sold for $900,000 at auction in 2021. The helmet was made by sculptor Brian Muir and was used in several scenes throughout the film.
2. Luke Skywalker's Lightsaber
The lightsaber prop used by Mark Hamill in the first two Star Wars movies sold at auction in 2017 for $450,000. The lightsaber is one of the most iconic props in the Star Wars franchise.
3. R2-D2 Model
The original R2-D2 model used in the first Star Wars movie sold for $2.76 million at auction in 2017. The model was built by Tony Dyson and was used in many of the scenes featuring the lovable droid.
4. Han Solo Blaster
The blaster used by Harrison Ford as Han Solo in the first Star Wars movie sold for $550,000 in 2018. The DL-44 blaster was modified from a German Mauser C96 pistol and was used in several key scenes throughout the film.
5. Boba Fett Prototype Helmet
A prototype helmet worn by the character Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy sold for $185,000 in 2016. The helmet was used during the pre-production phase of the films and was never actually worn on screen.
6. Millennium Falcon Model
The original model used to film the iconic spaceship, the Millennium Falcon, in the first Star Wars movie sold for $225,000 in 2015. The model was built by Lorne Peterson and was used in many of the exterior shots of the spaceship.
7. Stormtrooper Helmet
One of the original Stormtrooper helmets worn in the first Star Wars movie sold for $180,000 in 2016. The helmet was made by Andrew Ainsworth and was used in several key scenes throughout the film.
8. Darth Vader Costume
A complete Darth Vader costume, worn by David Prowse in the first two Star Wars movies, sold for $1.4 million in 2018. The costume includes the helmet, armor, cape, gloves, and boots.
9. C-3PO Costume
The original C-3PO costume worn by actor Anthony Daniels in the first Star Wars movie sold for $5.5 million in 2021. The costume is made of gold-painted fiberglass and includes a number of mechanical parts.
10. Yoda Puppet
The original puppet used to bring the character of Yoda to life in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" sold for $495,000 in 2015. The puppet was created by artist Stuart Freeborn and was used in many of the scenes featuring the wise Jedi master.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.