A prop lightsaber and severed hand belonging to Luke Skywalker from the 1980 film "Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back" has set a new world auction record for a screen-used Star Wars prop, selling for $3.75 million. The artifact, which had never been publicly offered for sale, was the headline item at Heritage Auctions' Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction in Dallas.
The prop featured in the climactic Cloud City duel where Darth Vader severs Luke Skywalker's hand. Heritage Auctions described the artifact as one of the most significant surviving pieces of Star Wars memorabilia.
"Collectors understood that they were bidding on much more than a prop. They were competing for a genuine piece of modern mythology," said Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. He noted the scene's pivotal role in changing the saga and creating an unforgettable cinematic moment.
The lightsaber was constructed from a modified Graflex flash unit. It was accompanied by the original severed-hand effects rig, created by makeup artist Stuart Freeborn. The hand itself was a cast of actor Mark Hamill's hand, enabling filmmakers to achieve the iconic in-camera effect decades before the widespread use of digital visual effects.
