There is a news story, including an interview with Paul Harrison of Elstree Props, about the Luke Skywalker Return of the Jedi lightsaber at auction on SpecialistAuctions.com. This has had continuing coverage on the OPB (see Elstree Props “Original” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber at Auction, Update 1, Update 2, Update 3).
This is an interesting article, in that it provides more information from the viewpoint of Elstree Props and it illustrates the mainstream media’s lack of consideration regarding any challenge to authenticity.
Here is the full article, from This Is Local London, which can be found HERE:
Lightsaber to burn hole in fan’s pocket
By Katie EvansA lightsaber made for Stars Wars film Return of the Jedi is being auctioned by an Borehamwood film props company.
The rare item has been put up for sale by Elstree Props, based at Elstree Film Studios, and is expected to sell for an estimated £30,000.
Paul Harrison, who runs the company, said the lightsaber is part of Star Wars mythology. It was made specifically for Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, to use in scenes where he is creating his own lightsaber based on that of his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Mr Harrison said: “Luke lost his original saber in a battle with Darth Vader at the end of the previous film, The Empire Strikes Back, and a whole sequence was shot in Obi- Wan Kenobi’s cave showing Luke making a new one.
“However, these scenes were not included in the film and we don’t even know if they exist – it’s a bit of a mystery. We may never know what happened to them.”
The rare piece, made in 1983, is likely to appeal to devoted Star Wars fans.
Mr Harrison added: “It’s usually wealthy American collectors who buy these kind of items, so something like this often ends up in a Las Vegas casino. A lightsaber has previously sold at auction for £76,000, even though it was only seen briefly in the film.”
The weapon was made by Mr Harrison’s father, Norman, who ran studio engineering company Norank, at Elstree Studios, during the Seventies and Eighties.
It took two engineers four days to create, and although three were made, the item on sale is the only one remaining in the company’s possession.
A lack of display space has prompted the auction, which is open until November 12.
Norank worked on a number of items for the original Star Wars trilogy, including R2-D2, C-3PO, the X-Wing fighters and the lightsabers.
To make a bid, visit www.special istauctions.com. The item number is 972099.
11:13am Friday 26th October 2007
One of the more interesting direct quotes (aside from the “wealthy American collectors” comment) are the details about it taking two engineers four days to create (due to the specificity), and that it is “the only one remaining in the company’s possession”. If it is the only one, that seems to contradict the fact that the lightsaber up for auction differs from the other Luke Return of the Jedi lightsaber pictured on the Elstree Props website, as discussed in prior articles referenced above.
Jason De Bord