Heritage Auctions to Feature Luke Skywalker Lightsaber and Other Iconic Memorabilia in July 13-17 New York Auction
Heritage Auctions will run its Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction from July 13 to 17 in New York City. The event will offer a collection of film, television, and music artifacts that span Hollywood’s Golden Age to contemporary blockbusters. The centerpiece is Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from The Empire Strikes Back, which includes a severed hand effects rig and is expected to fetch a seven‑figure price.
The lightsaber, used by Mark Hamill in the 1980 film’s climactic Cloud City battle, has never appeared at auction before. Heritage Auctions lists a starting bid of $1 million. The prop is notable for its role in one of cinema’s most famous plot twists, when Darth Vader reveals he is Luke’s father.
Other high‑profile items include the Wicked Witch of the West hat worn by Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz (starting bid $100 000) and Gene Wilder’s brown top hat from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (starting bid $50 000). A pair of boxing boots worn by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III—the tasselled, Nike‑swoosh‑adorned boots that appear in the film’s opening montage—will open at $100 000. Two rugs that play a key role in The Big Lebowski will be available for $15 000 each: the rug that is soiled at the start of the 1998 film and the rug that Jeff Bridges’ character, the Dude, takes from his wealthy namesake.
Music memorabilia will also headline the sale. John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “If I Fell,” written on the back of a Valentine card while he was in New York for the Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, will open at $500 000. The card is a rare artifact that ties the song to a pivotal moment in the band’s early career.
Additional items on the lot include a Paul Newman hockey jersey from Slap Shot, a necklace worn by the title character in The Bride of Frankenstein, and the inflatable “Otto the Autopilot” from Airplane. Heritage Auctions’ executive vice president, Joe Maddalena, said the auction “represents the full spectrum of entertainment history, from Hollywood’s Golden Age to modern blockbuster cinema and the most influential moments in popular music.”
The auction will run in the New York City venue of Heritage Auctions’ headquarters. Bidding will begin on the listed prices and will be conducted online and in person. Collectors and fans of film and music history can view the catalog and place bids through the auction house’s website.
The event underscores the continued demand for rare cinematic artifacts and the enduring cultural impact of the works represented. With a lineup that includes seven‑figure estimates and items tied to landmark moments in film and music, the July auction is positioned to attract significant attention from collectors worldwide.
