Darth Vader’s lightsaber sells for record-breaking $3.7 million

By Dean Murray

A lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader has sold for a record-breaking £2.7m ($3.7m).

The prop weapon wielded by the Star Wars villain now holds the title of the highest-priced item from the franchise ever sold at auction.

Propstore auctioneers said it is the only hero lightsaber from "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" (1983) with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction.

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Other highlights from Thursday's (Sep 5) sale in Los Angeles included Indiana Jones’s bullwhip and belt from The Last Crusade, which went for £360k ($485k), a close-up neuralyzer prop from Men in Black (sold for £234k ($315k)), Sauron’s helmet from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (sale price £215k ($290k)); and a shark tooth clapperboard from Jaws (sold for £70k ($95k).

Brandon Alinger, Propstore COO commented on day one of the auction: “The 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. 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’s upcoming Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles is taking place across three days.