Darth Vader Lightsaber and Boba Fett Blaster Lead Heritage’s Ultimate Star Wars Auction
Two of the most recognizable weapons in the Star Wars universe are heading to auction, with Darth Vader’s screen-matched hero dueling lightsaber and Boba Fett’s screen-matched hero EE-3 carbine blaster leading Heritage Auctions’ November 12 Ultimate Star Wars Auction. The sale spans Episodes I through IX along with more recent Star Wars television series and films, bringing together screen-used props, life-size character figures, vintage Kenner action figures, original concept artwork, cast-signed movie posters and other material from across the franchise. Heritage says the auction also includes the most expansive collection of Star Wars lightsabers ever assembled for public sale, with 27 additional examples connected to some of the saga’s best-known Jedi and Sith.
The headline lot is Darth Vader’s screen-matched hero dueling lightsaber, used in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Heritage has placed a pre-auction estimate of $1 million or more on the piece. Its appearance follows another major Star Wars lightsaber result at Heritage earlier this year. On July 15, Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber and severed hand effects rig from the Cloud City confrontation sold for $3.75 million. Heritage describes the Vader lightsaber now coming to auction as a counterpart from the same confrontation.
Boba Fett’s screen-matched hero EE-3 carbine blaster from “The Empire Strikes Back” is another centerpiece of the sale. The weapon was used throughout the film and carries a pre-auction estimate of $100,000 or more.
The auction also includes lightsabers associated with Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker from “Revenge of the Sith.” Heritage says both bladed dueling lightsabers carry pre-auction estimates of $10,000 or more.
Beyond the weapons, the sale includes several other production-used and personally connected Star Wars pieces. Anthony Daniels’ signed personal third-draft screenplay for the original “Star Wars” is estimated at $20,000 or more, while a remote-controlled R2-S8 Astromech Droid from “Solo: A Star Wars Story” carries an estimate of $15,000 or more. Carrie Fisher’s personal screen-used Snowspeeder filming miniature from “The Empire Strikes Back” is estimated at $10,000 or more. A Frank Oz “Yoda” puppet hand from the same film is estimated at $3,000 or more, while a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” carries a pre-auction estimate of $8,000 or more. Heritage is also offering a nine-piece Disney Star Tours C-3PO walkabout costume estimated at $15,000 or more.
The scope of the auction reaches into trading cards as well. Heritage says the sale includes a complete ultra-high-grade 330-card set of the 1977 Topps Star Wars series, adding another major collecting category to a sale already heavy on screen-used props and franchise memorabilia.
Heritage Auctions’ Ultimate Star Wars Auction takes place November 12.