Record-Breaking Auction: Darth Vader’s Iconic Lightsaber Becomes the Ultimate ‘Star Wars’ Collectible

A lucky fan of Star Wars just landed an incredible collectible. Darth Vader’s lightsaber, used in the iconic trilogy, sold at auction for an eye-popping $3,654,000. This sale took place at Propstore in Los Angeles, making it the most expensive Star Wars piece ever auctioned.

The lightsaber was used by Darth Vader in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It was estimated to be worth between $1 million and $3 million before the auction. The winning bid was a franchise record of $2,900,000, which increased to the final amount with the buyer’s premium.

This unique piece was held onscreen by actor David Prowse and his stunt double, Bob Anderson. Remarkably, it’s the only hero lightsaber from the original trilogy to ever be auctioned. The event coincided with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, adding to its significance.

The auction wasn’t just about lightsabers, though. Anakin Skywalker’s stunt lightsaber from the prequels fetched $126,000—almost double its estimated value. Other notable items included Indiana Jones’ bullwhip, which sold for $475,650, and Jean-Luc Picard’s flute from Star Trek: The Next Generation, which went for $403,200.

Bidding took place in person at the Petersen Automotive Museum and online, allowing fans worldwide to join in. “Surviving genuine lightsaber props from the original trilogy are rare,” said Propstore COO Brandon Alinger. “This piece is a grail-level artifact for collectors.”

This auction highlights the growing trend of pop culture memorabilia, driven by passionate fans and collectors. In 2022, a model X-wing fighter from the first Star Wars film sold for over $2.3 million, showing how valuable these artifacts are becoming.

Fans love sharing their excitement on social media. Many were buzzing about the auction on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, with hashtags like #StarWarsAuction trending. It’s pretty clear that the Star Wars legacy continues to captivate hearts and wallets alike.

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