A screen-used Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope was sold for $256,000 at an auction held Sunday at Comic-Con in San Diego.
The helmet was previously exhibited at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., last year as part of an exhibition titled “Defending America and the Galaxy: Star Wars and SDI.” According to Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies, which organized the event, this original stunt helmet was used in the production and is believed to be featured in scenes on Tatooine as a “Sandtrooper” helmet. It’s said to be one of only six stunt helmets known to have survived and are accounted for in private collections.
The auction was part of “Echoes From the Galaxy, A Star Wars Memorabilia Exhibit + Auction,” a two-week event presented at Comic-Con Museum that was touted as having “sold the world’s largest collection of Star Wars artifacts from renowned collectors, fans and insiders of the epic franchise.”
Other items that sold include:
- An original stunt lightsaber prop used by Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and original bladed lightsaber prop used by Liam Neeson (Qui-Gon Jinn) in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (each lot $38,400)
- An original lightsaber hilt prop screen-used by Ray Park (Darth Maul) in The Phantom Menace ($76,800)
- A screen-matched Resistance pilot “Red Four” helmet from Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens with a Lucasfilm certificate of authenticity ($32,000)
- An original hero metal GLIE-44 blaster used by Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron) in The Force Awakens ($44,800)
- An original production-made lightsaber for Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, cast from the molds of a touring lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi ($25,600)
- An original prop right hand worn by Anthony Daniels as C-3PO in Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back ($16,000)
- A”Holographic Tumbler” ensemble designed by Bob Mackie worn in the infamous 1978 The Star Wars Holiday Special TV show
Part of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Comic-Con Museum, a division of San Diego Comic Convention, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation that aimed to raise awareness of and appreciation for comics and related art forms. And nearly 300 props, production materials and memorabilia assembled by collectors Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, Duncan Jenkins, and Lisa Stevens and Vic Wertz were offered up for the auction, with the intention of creating a permanent home for The Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia from a portion of the proceeds.