A Luke Skywalker lightsaber prop featuring a severed hand will be sold by Heritage Auctions in New York from July 13-17 [1].
The sale represents a rare opportunity for collectors to own a primary effects rig from one of the most pivotal scenes in the Star Wars franchise. Because the item is a screen-used piece from "The Empire Strikes Back," it carries significant historical value for cinema enthusiasts and high-end investors.
The prop is being offered as part of the Hollywood & Entertainment Signature auction. The listing price for the item is $1 million [2], though some estimates suggest the final sale price could reach seven figures [3]. The auction will be held in New York and will include an option for online bidding [4].
Nikki Hale, a manager at Heritage Auctions, said the prop has never before been offered publicly at auction [5]. The item is part of a larger curated collection of Hollywood memorabilia intended for fans and serious collectors [6].
The lightsaber and hand rig were used to simulate the moment Darth Vader severs Luke Skywalker's wrist. Such props are often kept in private collections or studio archives for decades, making their appearance on the open market infrequent. This specific piece is categorized as a screen-used effects rig, meaning it was designed specifically to facilitate the visual trickery of the scene [2].
Bidders will compete for the item during the five-day window in July [1]. The auction also features other notable pieces of cinema history, including items from "The Wizard of Oz," and "The Big Lebowski" [4].
“"The prop has never before been offered publicly at auction."”
The public sale of this prop underscores the growing market for 'blue-chip' cinematic memorabilia, where screen-used items from foundational franchises like Star Wars are treated as legitimate alternative assets. The million-dollar valuation reflects not just the physical object, but the cultural significance of the scene it represents, signaling a trend where movie props are increasingly viewed as high-value historical artifacts rather than mere toys or curiosities.
