Rare Star Wars Prop Sets Auction Record
A unique light-up C-3PO head from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back fetches more than $1 million at a major memorabilia auction. This iconic prop, featured in the 1980 sci-fi classic, becomes the highest-selling item as the sole known example available to collectors.
The head sells for $1,058,400 (£801,818), surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $700,000 (£260,000 to £520,000). Bidders compete fiercely during the first day of the Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at Propstore in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Standout Sales from Classic Films
Other highlights include Jaws items marking the film’s recent 50th anniversary. Robert Shaw’s harpoon gun, complete with its original case, commands $327,600 (£248,182). The Fenwick fishing rod and reel used by Shaw’s character Quint during the shark encounter brings $239,400 (£181,364). A production shark tooth clapperboard rounds out the Jaws lots at $81,900 (£62,045).
Tom Hanks’ Wilson volleyball from Cast Away (2000) sells for $189,000 (£143,181), within its $150,000 to $300,000 estimate. Broken pieces of the sword Shards of Narsil from The Lord of the Rings trilogy achieve $252,000 (£190,909). A golden ticket from the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory also draws strong interest.
Auction Performance and Outlook
The opening day generates $6.5 million (£4.9 million) in total sales. Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, comments: “We’ve seen a strong start to the auction, with competitive bidding right from the outset. At Propstore, Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors and the C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back was a real highlight of the day. The Jaws collection also delivered an impressive overall result, coming just after the film’s 50th anniversary and reflecting its enduring appeal with collectors. With such a diverse line-up of material still to come, we’re excited to see how the rest of the auction unfolds.”
The final day on March 27 focuses on animation, featuring over 200 lots that celebrate cinematic artistry.
