{"id":20999,"date":"2010-05-31T18:23:57","date_gmt":"2010-06-01T02:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/?p=20999"},"modified":"2018-12-29T15:59:06","modified_gmt":"2018-12-29T22:59:06","slug":"profiles-in-history-%e2%80%98hollywood-auction-40%e2%80%b2-video-preview-darth-vader-lightsaber-prop-from-return-of-the-jedi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originalprop.com\/blog\/2010\/05\/31\/profiles-in-history-%e2%80%98hollywood-auction-40%e2%80%b2-video-preview-darth-vader-lightsaber-prop-from-return-of-the-jedi\/","title":{"rendered":"Profiles in History \u2018Hollywood Auction 40\u2032 Video Preview: Darth Vader Lightsaber Prop from ‘Return of the Jedi’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This is the sixth in a video series highlighting props and costumes in the upcoming Profiles in History “Hollywood Auction 40”.\u00a0 This segment provides Joe Maddalena, CEO of Profiles in History, an opportunity to discuss the provenance of a prop lightsaber attributed to use by the character Darth Vader in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi<\/em>.\u00a0 This is one of many props being sold in the auction event, to be held June 10-12 in Calabasas Hills, CA.<\/p>\n

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During my extensive interviews last week, I had asked Mr. Maddalena about questions raised by hobbyists concerning the origins of this resin prop attributed to Return of the Jedi<\/em> (1983), as some have speculated that it may be a casting of lightsaber made for an Energizer Bunny commercial broadcast in 1994<\/a>.\u00a0 It is my understanding that the metal-based lightsaber that appeared in the commercial was made by Don Bies (as he explains on his website<\/a>), who has worked extensively for both Lucasfilm and ILM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Below is the catalog description of the prop lightsaber<\/a> consigned to the Profiles in History sale event:<\/p>\n

894. \u201cDarth Vader\u201d Lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi<\/strong>. (TCF, 1983) This Darth Vader lightsaber was actually constructed by Stuart Freeborn\u2019s department as it was considered a make-up effect prop. This saber is constructed of resin rather than metal to minimize weight and was one of several made specifically for use when Vader\u2019s mechanical hand is severed by Luke in the climactic battle at the end of this film. As this scene was to be shot several times, four hands were made up and dressed to look as though Vader\u2019s mechanical hand was inside a glove. Stuart Freeborn stated that the sabers were also used in other scenes during the film\u2019s production, as by the end of filming some of the crew kept taking them as souvenirs for their children. In the end the props department would borrow them from time to time and sometimes they would not be returned so more had to be made to replace what went missing. This lightsaber, along with many other items from the Star Wars films, were acquired from Stuart Freeborn. Freeborn stored most of the items he made for the films he worked on over the many years of his career. When interviewed he revealed the purpose of these Vader sabers and how they were made. This is an amazing Darth Vader lightsabre and a major historic film prop made for such a milestone sequence in Return of the Jedi where Luke strikes down his father, the turning point of the whole Star Wars saga. This lightsaber was acquired with many other production pieces and creature masks from Stuart Freeborn and are now part of producer Gary Kurtz\u2019s archive. This item is being sold to help raise money for future acquisitions and restoration for the archive, so that future generations can see these amazing pieces of history in years to come. Comes with a letter of authenticity from the Kurtz archive. $60,000 \u2013 $80,000<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n