(NewsNation) — Darth Vader’s legendary red lightsaber fetched more than $3.6 million at an auction on Thursday, setting a new record as the priciest Star Wars collectible ever sold.
This prop, which sold for $3,654,000, was part of 433 rare television and film memorabilia pieces auctioned on the first day of Propstore’s Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles. Initially, Propstore estimated the lightsaber’s selling price to be between $1 million and $3 million.
The lightsaber, confirmed to match the films, was used in duel scenes between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker during the last two episodes of the original Star Wars trilogy, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.”
“Witnessing a Star Wars lightsaber – an emblem of one of cinema’s greatest sagas – achieve the status of the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is truly remarkable,” stated Brandon Alinger, COO of Propstore.
There is currently no information about who made the purchase.
