Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid. Greta Cross, USA TODAYSeptember 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM In a galaxy not so far away, Star Wars fans may be digging through pocket change this week in hopes of cashing in on some iconic props from the original trilogy.
- - Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off. How to place a bid.
Greta Cross, USA TODAYSeptember 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In a galaxy not so far away, Star Wars fans may be digging through pocket change this week in hopes of cashing in on some iconic props from the original trilogy.
Propstore Auction debuts its Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction on Thursday, Sept. 4, and one of the coveted items is Darth Vader's on-screen lightsaber from "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." The prop was used "extensively" by the late David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original trilogy, and features authentic signs of wear, the Propstore website states.
"Far from diminishing its value, these marks serve as compelling evidence of the lightsaber's direct involvement in the action – testament to its film-used authenticity," the lightsaber's description on the Propstore website reads.
While Propstore knows the lightsaber was used in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," it could have made some other appearances, too.
"It's also possible that the piece or some elements of it were used in the very first Star Wars film, though we cannot be certain," Propstore Chief Operating Officer Brandon Alinger told USA TODAY. "While they had a few lightsaber props, what makes this one special is that it was used for the action sequences – the duels are some of the most memorable scenes in both of those films."
Bidding for the lightsaber begins at $500,000, and Propstore estimates the final bid to be $1-3 million. As of Tuesday, Sept. 2, six absentee bids (bids placed ahead of the auction) had been placed, amounting to $1.2 million.
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When does auctioning for Darth Vader's lightsaber begin?
The lot containing Darth Vader's Screen-Matched Hero Dueling Lightsaber opens on Thursday, Sept. 4, with bidding starting at 10 a.m. PT.
How to place a bid for Darth Vader's lightsaber
The first day of the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, will be in-person only bidding. During the following two days of the auction, attendees can bid online via phone call or as an absentee (bid ahead of time online).
For more information about the bidding process, visit the Propstore website at propstoreauction.com/auctions/info/id/456.
Propstore Auction will auction off Darth Vader's Screen-Matched Hero Dueling Lightsaber from "Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back" and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" on Sept. 4, 2025. The starting bid is $500,000.Why is Darth Vader's lightsaber for sale?
When it comes to sourcing props for its Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, Alinger told USA TODAY that items may come from production companies, film studios or individuals associated with productions.
"The consignor who owns this piece has had it for many years and decided the time was right to sell," Alinger said of the lightsaber.
Propstore Auction Chief Operating Officer Brandon Alinger holds Darth Vader's Screen-Matched Hero Dueling Lightsaber from "Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back" and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." The lightsaber will be auctioned on Sept. 4, 2025. The starting bid is $500,000.
Alinger said Propstore was confident the lightsaber was legitimate, but to ensure its authenticity, an "extensive research" was conducted, even going so far as to "take X-ray images to examine the internal structure."
What else is for sale at the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction?
Darth Vader's lightsaber is one of more than 1,000 props that make up Propstore's Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction. Here's a look at some other key items:
'Spider-Man' Tobey Maguire costume
With great power comes an even greater costume. The full-body costume from "Spider-Man" is believed to have been heavily worn by Tobey Maguire while he was on set, according to the Popstore website. Displayed on a custom-made mannequin, the costume's bidding starts at $50,000 and is expected to sell for $100,000 to $200,000.
The "Spiderman" (Tobey Maguire) Costume will be auctioned off by Propstore Auction on Sept. 4, 2025. The prop's bidding starts at $50,000.'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' Daniel Radcliffe's glasses
The bid for the iconic circular glasses worn by Daniel Radcliffe in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is starting at $15,000. The glasses are expected to sell for $30,000 to $60,000.
'Indiana Jones' bullwhip, belt and whip holster
The bid for the bullwhip, belt and whip holster worn by Harrison Ford in the 1989 "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is starting at $125,000. The final bid is estimated to be between $250,000 and $500,000.
The "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" Indiana Jones' (Harrison Ford) Eight-Foot Bullwhip, Belt and Whip Holster will be auctioned off by Propstore Auction on Sept. 4, 2025. The prop's bidding starts at $125,000.'Men in Black' Neuralyzer
The signature alien-tech tool used by Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) in the 1997 cult classic "Men in Black" is up for auction. Bidding starts at $37,500, and the final bid is estimated to land between $75,000 and $150,000.
The "Men In Black" Screen-Matched Light-Up Hero Close-Up Neuralyzer will be auctioned off by Propstore Auction on Sept. 4, 2025. The prop's bidding starts at $37,500.'Jaws' shark tooth clapperboard
The bid for the original shark tooth clapperboard and two on-set Polaroid photographs from the 1975 film "Jaws" is starting at $20,000. The final bid is estimated to be between $40,000 and $80,000 for the 50th anniversary prop.
The "Jaws" Shark Tooth Clapperboard and Framed, Unpublished "Bruce" Shark Polaroids will be auctioned off by Propstore Auction on Sept. 4, 2025. The prop's bidding starts at $20,000.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Darth Vader's lightsaber to be auctioned off, bids start at $500K
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