A few updates on this already… (see preceding article, Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction)
There are two topics hosting a discussion on this auction:
The Replica Prop Forum (the RPF): Elstree Props “Original” ROTJ Lightsaber
The Movie Prop Forum: ROTJ Lightsaber
A few have made the astute observation that the Return of the Jedi lightsaber pictured on the Elstree Props website appears to differ from the photos seen in the listing at Specialist Auctions:
There is also an official press release for the auction at:
Luke Skywalkers Original Lightsaber to Go Under the Hammer
The original film prop Lightsaber, made for and used by Luke Skywalker in the film, Return of the Jedi, is to go under the hammer with online auction specialist, SpecialistAuctions.com
Leighton Buzzard, United Kingdom, October 18, 2007 –(PR.com)– Star Wars fans everywhere will be clamouring to own the original Luke Skywalker Lightsaber made for the film, ‘The Return Of The Jedi’, now being auctioned by the son of the prop maker.
The auction is for the actual film prop that was made for Luke Skywalker to use in ‘Return of the Jedi’ for the scenes where he makes his own Lightsaber based on his master’s, Obi Wan Kenobi.
Luke lost his own saber in the battle with Darth Vader at the end of ‘Empire Strikes Back’, and a whole sequence was shot in Obi Wan’s cave showing Luke making a new one. This is why the colour suddenly changes from a blue Lightsaber to a green one.
The requirement for this scene was that Luke would be seen with the saber fully extended, then pick it up and compress it down and lock it with a twist. The saber still does this, and makes a lovely “hiss” as the mechanisms engage. This is a part of Star Wars folklore, many sites exist which ask what happened to his saber, why it suddenly changed, whether these scenes were actually shot etc.
The call sheets for the day’s shooting show that Anthony Daniels remembers shooting outside the cave set, but whether the actual scenes exist no-one knows.
This is a fully functional saber, the emitter tip opens, the body unlocks and twists open, the control panel opens and the back also extends. There are other secrets too, that only the winning bidder will discover.
This piece will come in a custom built museum quality lockable display case with working LED lighting system, backdrop and plaque, a letter from the maker and a film studio Certificate of Authenticity accompany it.
Chris Duckworth, one of the Directors of SpecialistAuctions.com said, “We are both delighted and excited to be able to offer this amazing piece of history to our members,” he continued, “we have been told that there are a number of fabulous items still to be listed including the Golden Gun from the James Bond film, ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ and many Walt Disney pieces.”
The item is listed on SpecialistAuctions.com under Film Props
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Contact Information
SpecialistAuctions.com
Chris Duckworth
08450 944 700
[email protected]
http://www.specialistauctions.com
More updates to follow…
Jason De Bord