The prop used as Darth Vader’s lightsaber in the Star Wars sequels “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” sold at auction Thursday for more than $3.65 million.
Auction house Propstore estimated the lot would sell for $1 million to $3 million. The final price was $3,654,000 according to NBC News.
The saber is the highest-value piece of Star Wars memorabilia sold at auction, according to Deadline.
“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. It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology,” Propstore Chief Operating Officer Brandon Alinger told Deadline.
The saber is screen-matched to scenes in both films, auction house Propstore said in the item’s listing, and bears the wear and tear of extensive use by actor David Prowse and stuntman Bob Anderson.
The saber, Propstore said, started off as a flashbulb attachment for a camera before being modified into the dueling version of the Star Wars villain’s weapon.
The saber includes the cylinders and rods used to mount the weapon’s blade during production, but doesn’t include the blade itself. No original Star Wars prop blades are known to exist in private collections, according to Propstore.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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