A lucky Star Wars fan is embracing the dark side, as Darth Vader’s lightsaber from the franchise’s initial trilogy has sold at auction for an astronomical sum.
The iconic character’s screen-matched primary dueling lightsaber that was used in the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi sold for $3,654,000 when it hit the block from Propstore in Los Angeles on Thursday, becoming the highest-valued piece from the Star Wars franchise ever up for auction. The winning bid came in at a franchise record of $2,900,000 and reached the final total with the additional buyer’s premium that is paid to the auction house.
Star Wars actor David Prowse and stunt double Bob Anderson both held the item onscreen. It carried a presale value estimate ranging from $1 million to $3 million.
This is said to be the only hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy to ever hit an auction. The Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction coincides with this year marking the 45th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back.
Darth Vader’s lightsaber was sold at auction from Propstore.
Courtesy of Propstore
The Star Wars buying force was strong with the auction, as Anakin Skywalker’s stunt dueling lightsaber for Hayden Christensen’s character from the prequels went for $126,000, with the buyer’s premium. This was nearly twice the presale estimate.
Among the other items sold during the auction included Indiana Jones’ bullwhip and belt that Harrison Ford used in Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, with the pair selling for $475,650. Also, Jean-Luc Picard’s Ressikan flute, which belonged to Patrick Stewart’s Star Trek: The Next Generation character, went for $403,200.
Additionally, Rick Dalton’s flamethrower tank and backpack, as Leonardo DiCaprio wore in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, sold for $346,500.
Earlier this summer, The Hollywood Reporter reported exclusively that Darth Vader’s lightsaber would be hitting the auction block.
“Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy of films are exceedingly rare, and Propstore is honored to present this historic artifact in our September sale,” Propstore COO Brandon Alinger said in a previous statement. “It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.”
In-person bidding took place at L.A.’s Petersen Automotive Museum on Thursday. Items will continue to be sold via online, telephone and absentee bidding as the auction continues through Saturday.
Back in 2022, Propstore sold a screen-matched model miniature X-wing fighter that is 22 inches long and was created for director George Lucas‘ original Star Wars film. The item went for more than $2.3 million.
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