Vader Lightsaber Leads Star Wars Memorabilia Auction

Among the featured pieces in a Heritage Auctions sale of Star Wars props and memorabilia is the lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader during filming of The Empire Strikes Back. The auction opens November 12 on the auction house’s website, with bidding on the lightsaber starting at $1 million. Heritage Auctions senior director Brian Chanes said a bid of $1.05 million had already been made.

The prop was also used in Return of the Jedi, and features in the sequence in which Vader cuts off Luke Skywalker’s hand. Chanes described it as a major collectible because of its place in a pivotal scene and its use on set.

Other items include a weapon used by Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back, Chewbacca’s bowcaster from The Force Awakens, blasters, replica costume pieces and signed artwork. Chanes said the Boba Fett weapon had been matched to production photographs and the screen, and was based on a World War I flare gun fitted with a stock.

The collection spans screen-used lightsabers from the original films through later installments. Chanes said the range of such props in one collection was unusual. He also said memorabilia appeals to collectors because it can bring back memories of seeing the films.