‘Star Wars’ lightsaber prop sells for record $3.7 million
“This is one of the most important surviving Star Wars artefacts in existence."
By Dean Murray
A Luke Skywalker lightsaber and severed hand prop from "The Empire Strikes Back" has sold for $3.75 million.
The prop, which has never been offered for public sale, has established a new world auction record for a screen-used Star Wars prop.
The lot headlined the Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions.
It featured during Skywalker's climactic Cloud City duel in the 1980 sci-fi film, during which Darth Vader cuts off his hand.
Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions, said: “This is one of the most important surviving Star Wars artifacts in existence.
"It comes from the emotional climax of The Empire Strikes Back—the scene that forever changed the saga and produced one of the most unforgettable moments in movie history.
"Collectors understood that they were bidding on much more than a prop. They were competing for a genuine piece of modern mythology."
Constructed from a modified Graflex flash unit and accompanied by the original severed-hand effects rig created by legendary makeup artist Stuart Freeborn, the lightsaber was created from a cast of Mark Hamill’s hand.
It allowed filmmakers to achieve the iconic sequence entirely in-camera decades before the advent of digital visual effects.
Stories and infographics by ‘Talker Research’ are available & ready to use. Stories and videos by ‘Talker News’ are managed by Talker Inc. For queries, please submit an inquiry via our contact form.
Is that cat just playing? Study warns it may be causing distress
Playing with your cat in the wrong way can have serious consequences, a new study warns.
‘Police-obsessed’ 3-year-old calls cops to save mom
He called the police when his mom, suddenly became seriously unwell and fell unconscious and wasn't waking up.
‘Excalibur’ sword surfaces after drought drains historic castle lake
Theories about its owner include soldiers, Victorian bandsmen, an art dealer — or a ghost.
Can heat waves affect how well the pill works?
A pharmacists warns that heat gradually speeds up the natural processes that cause a medicine to break down over time.
Consoles considered ‘holy grail’ of Nintendo history for sale
The consoles were officially licensed variants of the Game & Watch series used a French cereal and infant food product.
Transportation5 days agoUS hires over 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers
Studies17 hours agoAre our friendships good for us?
Travel4 days agoWhy 3 in 5 haven’t taken a vacation this summer
History5 days agoDivers find 1864 bottle of Guinness in shipwreck
Food & Drink5 days agoIs family meal planning too much of a mental load?
Studies5 days agoDo babies who live with dogs get sick less?
Science5 days agoWhat’s inside the Pentagon’s newest UFO files?
Food & Drink5 days agoSeaweed coating keeps strawberries fresh without refrigeration
