A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films has sold for a record $3.6 million at auction.
The iconic red-bladed weapon, wielded by the Sith Lord in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, fetched $2.9 million plus a $700,000 buyer's premium at a Propstore auction in Los Angeles yesterday. It becomes the highest-valued piece of Star Wars memorabilia ever sold.
The prop was used on screen by David Prowse, who played Darth Vader, and his stunt double Bob Anderson. Over 400 items were on offer, including an Indiana Jones bullwhip belt ($485,100) and a Ressikan Flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation ($403,000).
Propstore COO Brandon Alinger said: “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.”
