In the galaxy of movie memorabilia, few objects shine as brightly as Darth Vader’s legendary lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy. With an aura that transcends the screen, this iconic prop is heading to auction at Propstore, slated to become the crown jewel for collectors and Star Wars fanatics alike. The buzz surrounding this event is palpable, as the lightsaber, used in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” is projected to fetch a staggering sum between $1 million and $3 million.
As part of an exhilarating pre-auction tour, the lightsaber will grace the cities of London, Los Angeles, and New York, offering tantalizing glimpses to legions of fans. The timing couldn’t be more perfect; coinciding with the 45th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” the tour is set to ignite fervor and spectacle within pop culture aficionados and collectors straight through to the auction block.
What makes this lightsaber an object of desire is its unrivaled authenticity. Propstore has proclaimed it to be the sole verifiable screen-used Darth Vader hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy ever set to hit a public auction. During its time on set, this saber was wielded by both David Prowse and his stunt double Bob Anderson, as they brought the infamous dark lord to life through the myriad challenges faced by the Rebel Alliance.
Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, encapsulates the electric anticipation in the air, describing this piece as “simply everything you want it to be—one of the most significant Star Wars artifacts ever.” To emphasize the weight of this momentous occasion, Alinger even compared it to Hollywood’s legendary Ruby Slippers, which once captured hearts and commanded a sale price of $32.5 million.
This lightsaber’s impending auction comes amidst a whirlwind of past high-profile sales involving Star Wars props. For instance, Mark Hamill’s lightsaber, carried by Luke Skywalker, drew $450,000 back in 2017. Meanwhile, the lightsabers employed by Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker slashed through auctioneers’ records with their six-figure price tags, solidifying Star Wars memorabilia as the unerring gold standard of the collectible arena.
Star Wars, as a franchise, emphatically surpasses its peers in revenue and cultural influence. In 2024 alone, Disney’s ventures into Star Wars merchandise raked in over $1 billion. The ongoing monetary success is a testament to the franchise’s immense popularity, which reached over $12 billion in franchise revenue last year.
Central to this powerful narrative is Darth Vader, who remains an icon of perpetuity, unyielding in his standing as the quintessential villain of cinema. Empire magazine formalized his status, proclaiming him the most iconic movie villain—his shadow looms large over both the silver screen and the world of elite collecting.
For avid collectors and dedicated fans, the impending auction at Propstore represents more than bidding on an object; it signifies a chance to clutch a sliver of cinematic history—a piece as fundamental and enduring as the timeless saga itself. For the fortunate bidder who manages to conquer this auction, the lightsaber isn’t just a weapon; it is a piece of Hollywood’s heart, capturing the magnificence of a galaxy far, far away.
As the gavel is poised to drop, excitement crescendos with the knowledge that one lucky individual will soon possess—undebatably—the most famous movie weapon of all time. In a world where reality and fantasy interlace, owning Darth Vader’s lightsaber is akin to wielding the imagination itself. So, as the countdown ticks to the auction day, one can’t help but think, who among us will seize this monumental tribute to the Force?
