A rare light-up C-3PO head prop from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back fetched over $1 million at a major auction of film memorabilia. This unique piece, the only known example of the droid’s head available to collectors, sold for $1,058,400 (£801,818), surpassing its pre-sale estimate of $350,000 to $700,000 (£260,000 to £520,000).
Auction Highlights
The sale occurred on the first day of the Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at Propstore in Los Angeles. The C-3PO head emerged as the top lot, drawing intense bidding from Star Wars enthusiasts.
Other standout items included:
- Harpoon gun used by Robert Shaw in Jaws, with its original case: $327,600 (£248,182)
- Fenwick fishing rod and reel from Shaw’s Quint character in Jaws: $239,400 (£181,364)
- Shark tooth clapperboard from Jaws production: $81,900 (£62,045)
- Wilson volleyball from Tom Hanks in Cast Away: $189,000 (£143,181)
- Shards of Narsil sword pieces from The Lord of the Rings: $252,000 (£190,909)
A golden ticket from the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory also featured among the lots.
Auction Performance and Outlook
The first day generated $6.5 million (£4.9 million) in total sales. Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer, commented: “We’ve seen a strong start to the auction, with competitive bidding right from the outset. Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors, and the C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back was a real highlight. The Jaws collection delivered impressive results, reflecting its enduring appeal, especially after the film’s 50th anniversary. With a diverse lineup ahead, we’re excited for the rest of the auction.”
The final day on March 27 focuses on animation, featuring over 200 lots celebrating film and television artistry.
