In this month’sProp Store Auctionthere have been many opportunities for film fans to grab their own piece of cinema history…but only if they have a decent wad of cash lying around. From originalGremlinsanimatronics, to a full scale DeLorean, there were plenty of items that sold for $250,000 or less, but an X-Wing Fighter model used inStar Wars: A New Hopebecame the star of the show after selling for $2,375,000; more than double the original estimates.
One person who saw the result of the auction wasStar WarslegendMark Hamill, who was quick to comment on the sale with a quip that simply read, “I should have kept mine.”
There has always been a fascination with the originalStar Warstrilogy, and no matter how many additions are made to the franchise, those movies still stand apart in every way. Whether it is toy lines, memorabilia, posters or props, any item linked to the 1977 movie and its two direct sequels are some of the most sought after items to come by, and will always set you back a phenomenal amount of money. When it comes to this particular auction though, the Red Leader X-Wing miniature is a particularly rare piece to come up for sale, as most of the models were destroyed during filming by the practical pyrotechnics required to film the battle around the Death Star in the film’s climax.
The item ran with the following description. “The X-wing fighter model is preserved extremely well and remains in excellent condition. The lightweight rigid foam remains solid, and the original unrestored paintwork is in excellent condition, with only subtle flaking in small areas. One of the laser cannons exhibits slight warpage, and one of the scratch-built laser cannon tip assemblies is loose. The pyro X-wing was intended to mount on a C-stand with a hole in the back of the fuselage or to be hung from wires during filming. There are several small holes in the top of the fuselage related to hanging the model on wires. A custom-made aluminum stand that supports the model through the fuselage is included with the piece, as is a wooden transport crate.”
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Plenty Of Star Wars Items Were Sold in The Auction
As a timely addition to the PropStore Auction, another item that gained quite a bit of attention was Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Dueling Lightsaber and Hilt as used by Ewan McGregor inThe Phantom Menacein 1999. While the item didn’t soar to the same heights as the X-Wing model, it did end on a respectable $125,000, proving that even theStar Warsprequels, despite their faults, still have a place in the franchise.
Among the numerous other lightsabers, drawings, and prosthetics, another item that blew away its estimate was Yoda’s gimer stick, which was used by puppeteer Frank Oz inThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi. Having been expected to bring in up to $12,000, the prop ended up selling for $40,000.
For those interested in following the rest of PropStore’s auction, there are many more items going under the hammer today and tomorrow, and you’re able to follow the auction at Propstore.com.
