Star Wars Auction at Comic-Con
A stormtrooper helmet used in the filming of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was sold for $256,000 at an auction held at Comic-Con in San Diego. The helmet was previously exhibited at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, as part of an exhibit called "Defending America and the Galaxy: Star Wars and SDI". According to the auction organizers, Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Films, this original stunt helmet was used in production and is believed to have appeared in scenes on Tatooine as a "Sandtrooper" helmet. It is one of only six stunt helmets known to have survived and is now in a private collection.
The Auction Event
The auction was part of a two-week event called "Echoes from the Galaxy, a Star Wars Memorial Piece Exhibition + Auction", held at the Comic-Con Museum. The event featured the world’s largest collection of Star Wars artifacts, curated by renowned collectors and fans of the franchise. The auction included a wide range of rare and unique items, including props, production materials, and memorabilia.
Notable Items Sold
Some of the notable items sold at the auction include:
- An original stunt lightsaber hilt used by Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and the original bladed lightsaber used by Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn) in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which sold for $38,400.
- An original lightsaber hilt used by Ray Park (Darth Maul) in The Phantom Menace, which sold for $76,800.
- A screen-matched Resistance pilot "Red Four" helmet from Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, which sold for $32,000.
- An original hero metal GLIE-44 blaster used by Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) in The Force Awakens, which sold for $44,800.
- An original production-made lightsaber for Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, which sold for $25,600.
- An original prop right hand of Anthony Daniels as C-3PO in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, which sold for $16,000.
- A "Holographic Tumbler" ensemble designed by Bob Mackie, worn in the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special TV show.
Proceeds to Benefit Comic-Con Museum
Part of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Comic-Con Museum, a non-profit organization in California that aims to promote awareness and appreciation of comics and related art forms. The auction featured nearly 300 props, production materials, and memorabilia, all of which were donated by collectors with the intention of creating a permanent home for the Star Wars saga memorabilia.
