In the universe of film memorabilia, few items are as instantly recognizable or highly coveted as the lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader himself. This September, an extraordinary piece of movie history is heading under the hammer with a price tag that could light up the galaxy. Propstore, a premier auction house specializing in entertainment memorabilia, will showcase the actual lightsaber used by the menacing Sith Lord in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” This iconic artifact comes with an overwhelming projected cost ranging from $1 million to $3 million, reinforcing its place as a grail-level treasure.
Before it lands on the auction block, this screen-used “hero” lightsaber is embarking on a press tour, gracing cities such as London, Los Angeles, and New York. This carefully timed tour echoes the 45th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back.” The event has already started to ignite a spark in the hearts of movie aficionados and keen collectors, making it a headline event for anyone with a touch of the Force.
What makes this particular piece stand out amid the vast galaxy of collectibles is its undeniable authenticity. Confirmed by Propstore, this is believed to be the only verifiable screen-used Darth Vader hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy ever brought to public auction. This is not just any prop that’s been left to gather dust; it was wielded by David Prowse, the man behind Vader’s intimidating stance, and Bob Anderson, his stunt double during filming. Each swing of this lightsaber encapsulates a piece of Hollywood history, etching their names alongside the thrilling saga.
“We know it is everything a collector could dream of having,” Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, explained with infectious enthusiasm. “It ranks among the most significant Star Wars artifacts, capable of elevating any collection to an almost mythical status.” Alinger even equates its allure to that of the famed Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” which recently fetched an astonishing $32.5 million at auction, revealing the lucrative charm these exquisite memorabilia hold.
The fervor for original Star Wars paraphernalia has shown no signs of dimming. In 2017, Mark Hamill’s own Luke Skywalker lightsaber secured a hefty $450,000, and other Jedi-associated sabers have consistently hit six-figures. The allure of Star Wars runs deep, its cool grip on the world unrelenting. Disney has enthusiastically milked this appeal, netting over $1 billion in Star Wars merchandise sales in 2024 alone, amassing total franchise revenue upwards of $12 billion just last year.
Darth Vader, with his distinctive menacing presence, remains a constant fixture in pop culture’s echelon and a goldmine in lucrative collectibles. Empire magazine even awarded him the title of the most iconic movie villain in history, a reflection of his prolific footprint across multiple generations.
For those immersed in the art of collection, this impending auction offers more than the chance to own a screen-used movie prop. It’s about securing a pillar of cinematic history, a relic that has illuminated screens worldwide. While many collectors dream of having such an iconic item, only one will secure it when the gavel comes down. This isn’t just a piece of memorabilia; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a testament to storytelling, and possibly the greatest movie weapon ever conceived.
And for that fortunate bidder who emerges victorious, owning Darth Vader’s lightsaber won’t simply be about having it in a collection; it will be about holding in one’s hand a piece that has transcended cinema to become a part of the collective imagination.
