Darth Vader’s Original Trilogy Lightsaber Set for $1 Million Auction at Propstore

A legendary piece of Star Wars history is about to hit the auction block. The lightsaber wielded by Darth Vader himself in both “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” is going up for sale this September at Propstore, one of the leading auction houses for entertainment memorabilia. The iconic prop comes with a jaw-dropping estimate between $1 million and $3 million.

Before the auction, this screen-used “hero” lightsaber will make appearances in London, Los Angeles, and New York as part of a press tour. The timing coincides with the 45th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” making this a must-watch event for movie fans and collectors alike.

What sets this piece apart is its authenticity: According to Propstore, it’s believed to be the only verifiable screen-used Darth Vader hero lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy ever offered at public auction. Both David Prowse, the actor in the suit, and his stunt double Bob Anderson, used this very prop during filming—making it a true piece of Hollywood history.

“This lightsaber is simply everything you want it to be—one of the most significant Star Wars artifacts ever,” said Brandon Alinger, Propstore’s chief operating officer. “It is a grail-level piece, worthy of the finest collections in the world.” He even compared it to the legendary Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” which sold for $32.5 million.

Past sales show just how hot the market is for original Star Wars props. Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker lightsaber fetched $450,000 in 2017, and lightsabers used by Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker have also commanded six-figure prices.

Star Wars memorabilia remains the gold standard in the hobby. Disney raked in more than $1 billion in Star Wars merchandise sales in 2024 alone, with over $12 billion in franchise revenue last year. Darth Vader’s enduring popularity has made him a staple not just of pop culture, but of high-value collecting—Empire magazine even crowned him the most iconic movie villain in history.

For collectors, the upcoming auction is more than just a chance to buy a prop—it’s an opportunity to own a central piece of cinematic history. When the gavel falls, one lucky bidder could walk away with what is arguably the most famous movie weapon of all time.