Darth Vader's lightsaber, a centerpiece of Star Wars lore, is heading to auction with a seven-figure estimate.
The lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader in the pivotal Cloud City duel from The Empire Strikes Back and later in Return of the Jedi is slated for auction on November 12. This iconic prop, central to one of cinema's most famous reveals, is anticipated to command bids exceeding $1 million at Heritage Auctions' Ultimate Star Wars Auction.
This upcoming sale follows a record-breaking event in July, when a lightsaber prop associated with Luke Skywalker's severed hand from The Empire Strikes Back fetched an astonishing $3.75 million. That sale set a new benchmark for Star Wars film props, highlighting the intense collector demand for artifacts from the beloved saga.
The Ultimate Star Wars Auction features more than two dozen lightsaber props spanning Episodes I through IX, alongside other films and TV shows from George Lucas's universe. Among them are the dueling lightsabers used by Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith, each expected to sell for at least $10,000.
Beyond the lightsabers, collectors can vie for an EE-3 carbine blaster used by Boba Fett throughout The Empire Strikes Back, estimated to exceed $100,000. Also available are a Yoda puppet hand from Frank Oz's original portrayal in The Empire Strikes Back, and a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Rounding out the collection is C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels' signed, personal third-draft screenplay for the original 1977 Star Wars film. These rare artifacts offer fans a tangible connection to the galaxy far, far away, underscoring the enduring cultural impact and lucrative market for Star Wars memorabilia.
