One in a billion Star Wars fans has now officially crossed over to the dark side and paid a record-breaking amount to do so. Darth Vader’s battle-worn dueling lightsaber prop used in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ has sold for an astonishing price of $3.65 million at the Propstore Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles. This is one of the most expensive Star Wars props ever sold.
The saber, which was used on set by both David Prowse and stunt double Bob Anderson, originally had an estimated value between $1 million and $3 million. However, it shattered expectations with a final bid of $2.9 million before fees, proving that the Force is still strong within the wallets of collectors.
Marking 45 Years of The Empire Strikes Back, Vader’s Saber Makes History
The reason for such a record-breaking price for this particular weapon is the history and rarity of it. After all, it is estimated that this is the only “hero” lightsaber from the original trilogy that has ever surfaced in the auction history. And, as 2025 marked the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, the timing of putting up Darth Vader’s lightsaber for auction couldn’t have been better.
This experience, as described by Brandon Alinger, who is the COO of The Propstore, was a defining moment in the industry of memorabilia collectibles. In other words, this sale is more than just a win for the store. Apparently, it is a milestone for collecting as a whole. According to an article published by Variety, Alinger continued, “A Star Wars lightsaber isn’t just a movie prop—it’s a cultural icon. The fact that it’s now the highest-valued piece in the franchise’s history shows just how deeply these stories and artifacts resonate. They’re more than collectibles; they’re pieces of modern mythology.”
Propstore Auction Sees Multi-Franchise Memorabilia Sell for Million
But wait! There’s more to the Propstore experience for collectors who have deep pockets to bid on. Anakin Skywalker’s prequel stunt saber was sold for a staggering price of $126,000. Indiana Jones’ whip and belt from the movie ‘The Last Crusade’ shattered almost half a million dollars. Jean-Luc Picard’s Ressikan flute from ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ was acquired by a collector for the jaw-dropping price of $403,200. Then, Rick Dalton’s flamethrower from ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ sold out at $346,500.
The Bidding took place live at the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A., and it continues online throughout the weekend. And this is not the first time Propstore has secured an amount like this in an auction. They made headlines back in 2022 when a screen-accurate X-wing miniature from George Lucas’ original Star Wars sold for over $2.3 million. Clearly, when it comes to the galaxy far, far away, collectors are still willing to go full throttle and willing to push that hyperspeed button to secure a piece of the Star Wars saga.
