A lightsaber prop used by the character Darth Vader in the film "The Empire Strikes Back" is set for auction on November 12, 2026. The item was used during the filming of the duel scene in Cloud City, where Vader reveals his identity as Luke Skywalker's father. Heritage Auctions will host the event, titled the Ultimate Star Wars Auction, which includes pieces from all nine primary films and other movies and television shows.
The upcoming sale follows a record-setting auction in July 2026, where a lightsaber prop with Luke Skywalker’s severed hand from the same film sold for $3.75 million. The Canberra Times reports that this is the highest price ever paid for a prop used in a Star Wars film. The Darth Vader saber currently up for bid was also used during the production of "Return of the Jedi."
The auction features more than two dozen lightsaber props and various other production artifacts. Estimated prices for the items vary: the Darth Vader lightsaber is expected to sell for at least $1 million, while a Boba Fett EE-3 carbine blaster from "The Empire Strikes Back" is valued at over $100,000. Dueling lightsabers used by Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen in "Revenge of the Sith" carry estimates of at least $10,000 each.
Other featured items include a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from "Rogue One," a Yoda puppet hand used by Frank Oz, and Anthony Daniels' signed, personal screenplay for the original 1977 Star Wars.