In a galaxy far, far away… or well, actually at the Petersen Automotive Museum, a historic moment Star Wars and George Lucas enthusiasts has occurred. Auction house Propstore found a deep-pocketed buyer for one of the most unique pieces available from this legendary film: a lightsaber.
The lightsaber in question was listed at $500,000 and was fetched for the staggering amount of $3.65 million, ABC reports. A completely record-breaking sum for this type of collectible item.
But the object isn’t just any prop. Prop Store notes that it was wielded by David Prowse and stuntman Bob Anderson in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), making it one of the most recognizable pieces of Star Wars history – and one of the rarest collectors’ items from the saga. The saber was featured in the iconic galactic duel between Vader and Luke Skywalker, when Vader cuts off Luke’s hand, right before the unforgettable “I am your father” moment.
Originally constructed from a 1950s English camera flash attachment, the prop was extensively modified for dueling scenes, complete with a D-ring, decorative wiring, and custom grips. Every scratch and dent tells the story of its screen time, making it a true collector’s gem.