Buzz
Last week was a major moment for Vectis Auction House, located in the small town of Thornaby, Teesside, UK. One of the rarest Star Wars memorabilia items was set to go up for auction. What was this ultra-rare collectible, and what price was it expected to fetch? And just how valuable are Star Wars memories, really?
6. Jawa Action Figure with Vinyl Cape ($16,500)
What makes this Jawa figure stand out from the countless others produced in Leicester, UK, 35 years ago is its unique cape. Instead of the usual fabric cape, this one is made of vinyl, turning an otherwise typical collectible into a highly sought-after rarity. A collector from the U.S. purchased this piece—only the sixth known to exist worldwide—for $16,500 last Thursday.
5. Chewbacca’s Film-Used Head Mask ($172,200)
Laughing Squid
While it’s impressive for a $1.50 action figure to fetch 11,000 times its original price, the real fortune lies in film-worn props. In July 2012, a head mask worn by Peter Mayhew—one of only five such costumes ever made for the movies—was auctioned by Profile in History for a staggering $140,000, plus an additional buyer's premium of $32,200.
4. Luke Skywalker’s Episode IV Lightsaber ($240,000)
Lightsabers are the defining props of Star Wars, and Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber stands out as one of the most iconic. This particular saber, which was sold in 2008 from the collection of producer Gary Kurtz, attracted bids that ultimately reached $240,000.
3. Episode V Snowtrooper Helmet ($276,750)
LiveAuctioneers.com
The lucky owner of this unique piece of memorabilia, sold in July 2012 for $225,000 (plus a 23 percent buyer's fee), can claim to have the only snowtrooper helmet ever to be offered for sale. This helmet, worn during the pivotal battles on Hoth in Episode V, is an iconic artifact of Star Wars history.
2. Miniature Episode IV TIE Fighter ($402,400)
Geekologie
The TIE Fighter Duel in Episode IV is iconic among Star Wars enthusiasts, and one collector was so eager to own a piece of that legendary battle that they paid over a third of a million dollars ($350,000, plus a 15 percent buyer’s premium). What they acquired was no ordinary TIE fighter; it was the very one that collided with Darth Vader within the Death Star’s mysterious depths.
1. George Lucas’ Episode IV Panavision Camera ($625,000)
The most expensive piece of Star Wars memorabilia ever sold is the Panavision PR 35mm camera that George Lucas used to film A New Hope. Initially priced around $200,000, the camera ultimately fetched more than three times that amount as collectors rushed to own a piece of cinematic history.
