Rare Star Wars Memorabilia Worth Galactic Gold
When it comes to movie memorabilia, few film collections have the buying power of the “Star Wars” saga. With a diehard, dedicated fanbase, some folks spend more on rare collectibles from the movies than the cost of a house and car combined (that’s dedication). We found the most expensive of such memorabilia, highlighting their insane prices that extend to a galaxy far, far away.
1979 Kenner Star Wars Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Action Figure
Sold for: $1.3 million
A rare 1979 Kenner Rocket-Firing Boba Fett action figure recently sold at auction for an eye-popping $1.3 million, becoming the most expensive toy ever sold. This wasn’t just any old collectible; it’s one of only three known prototypes of the J-slot V2/Missile version, a toy that never made it to store shelves because its missile-launching feature was deemed too hazardous for kids (party poopers). Dubbed the “Holy Grail” of toy collecting by auction house Goldin, this piece’s legendary status sent its value skyrocketing.
R2-D2 Unit Used in Several ‘Star Wars’ Films
Sold for: $2.76 million
A 43-inch R2-D2 unit, crafted from parts used during the original trilogy, recently sold at auction for an incredible $2.76 million — far surpassing its $2 million pre-sale estimate. This cinematic treasure, auctioned by Profiles in History, was the crown jewel of a memorabilia sale that featured iconic props like Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber and Darth Vader’s menacing helmet. For nearly $3 million, we sure hope this droid can still beep-bop, whirr, and whistle.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Action Figure with Double-Telescoping Lightsaber
Sold for: $76,000
The late ’70s Kenner Obi-Wan Kenobi action figure with a double-telescoping lightsaber is one of the rarest Star Wars toys ever made. The double-telescoping lightsaber, a two-piece design that extended further than later versions, was quickly scrapped early in production due to high costs. That change left only a small number of these figures in existence, and even fewer still sealed in their original packaging. In 2017, one of these rare finds, complete with an unpunched card and an AFA grade of 80, sold for $76,700 at Hake’s Americana & Collectibles.
Han Solo’s BlasTech DL-44 Blaster Prop from ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’
Sold for: $1,057,000
Han Solo’s blaster from “Star Wars: A New Hope” was made from military surplus parts, and is believed to be the only surviving prop of the three created for the 1977 film. Once thought to be lost, the blaster resurfaced in the London-based prop house Bapty & Co. inventory before hitting the auction block. With a presale estimate of $300,000 to $500,000, its final price shattered expectations.
X-Wing Starfighter Model
Sold for: $3.1 million
An original 20-inch X-wing starfighter model used in the climactic space battle of “Star Wars: A New Hope” set a record as the most expensive screen-used Star Wars prop ever sold at auction. Fetching $3.135 million at Heritage Auctions, this “Red Leader” hero model — crafted by Industrial Light & Magic — was one of only four built for close-up shots and featured servo-controlled wings and working lights. Long believed lost, the model was discovered in the late Oscar-nominated modelmaker Greg Jein’s garage while cataloging his collection. VFX historian Gene Kozicki called it a “mythical white whale” for visual effects fans, comparing its significance to iconic relics like Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
‘The Empire Strikes Back’ Stormtrooper Helmet
Sold for: $120,000
A rare original Stormtrooper helmet from The Empire Strikes Back sold for $120,000 at the Prop Store’s London auction. This iconic helmet, recognized as one of the most defining designs in cinematic history, embodies the menacing presence of the Empire’s foot soldiers and George Lucas’s visionary world-building. Prop Store COO Brandon Alinger described owning an original helmet as the “ultimate Star Wars collectible.”
Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’
Sold for: $450,000
An original Luke Skywalker lightsaber was purchased by Ripley’s Believe it Or Not Museum for $450,000 at a 2017 auction, where it is now on display. The lightsaber was used in “The Empire Strikes Back” during the memorable scene where Luke retrieves his saber from the Wampa ice monster using the Force. Crafted from a 1930s Graflex camera flash handle, the saber still has the original logo etched on the hilt.
C-3PO Head
Sold for: $844,000
A C-3PO head once owned by actor Anthony Daniels, who brought the iconic droid to life in the Star Wars films, sold as part of Daniels’ personal collection that went under the hammer at Propstore in Los Angeles. This light-up prop from “Return of the Jedi” was the highlight of the sale. Daniels, who’s always been passionate about sharing his memorabilia with fans, hoped it would find a new home where it’d be appreciated and displayed. The head, which appears in several key scenes of the 1983 film, was made of thin fiberglass and features illuminated eyes that light up with the flick of a switch.
Bib Fortuna Toy Prototype
Sold for: $44,600
One of the most valuable Star Wars collectibles never even hit store shelves. The 1980s master model of Bib Fortuna, a character from “Return of the Jedi,” was one of several rare prototypes sold at Vectis Auctions. Initially estimated at £12,000, the model’s sale price stunned many. Alongside it, prototypes of Logray, an Ewok, and an Emperor’s royal guard sold for £12,000 and £28,800, respectively. Auctioneer Kathy Taylor remarked that these lesser-known characters far exceeded expectations. The models, originally created in the U.S. by Kenner for European toy production by Palitoy, were kept by Palitoy’s European tooling manager after the release of the toys. Taylor noted that it’s surprising these models survived, as many collectors and industry insiders would’ve discarded them long ago.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber Prop from ‘The Phantom Menace’
Sold for: $125,000
A true Star Wars fan recently scored big at Propstore’s latest auction, snagging Obi-Wan Kenobi’s original lightsaber prop from “The Phantom Menace” for a whopping $125,000. The lightsaber, featuring the detailed hilt and green blade used in the film, likely got a boost from the recent success of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+, where Ewan McGregor reprised his role.
Vinyl Cape Jawa Action Figure
Sold for: $26,000
This super rare figure, which recently sold for $26,000 at auction, is an original Jawa from the first batch of 12 Star Wars figures made in 1978, complete with its vinyl cape. The cool part? Most of these Jawas had their capes swapped out for fabric ones, so the vinyl ones are crazy rare. This particular Jawa had been sitting on a Palitoy card in the UK, something collectors thought was a myth until a few years ago. The owner had no clue it was worth so much. He just brought it in with a couple of other figures and got a pleasant surprise when it went under the hammer.
Darth Vader’s Helmet from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’
Sold for: $898,000
Why say, “Luke, I am your father” into a blowing-blade fan when you can spend nearly $900,000 to get Darth Vader’s actual helmet? This iconic helmet, made of fiberglass and foam, was expected to go for about $400,000 but ended up fetching a staggering $898,420 at a Los Angeles auction. With added fees, the final price topped $1 million. Along with the helmet, the shoulder gear also sold for nearly $700,000, making it the most expensive item in the auction, which totaled nearly $8 million in sales.