Heritage Auctions announced a Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction running July 13-17, featuring a lightsaber used by Mark Hamill in 'The Empire Strikes Back.' The prop, which includes a severed hand effects rig from the Cloud City duel, has never been publicly sold before and carries a $1 million opening bid.
Other headline lots include John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for 'If I Fell' — written on a Valentine card during the Beatles' 1964 'Ed Sullivan Show' visit — with bidding starting at $500,000. A Wicked Witch of the West hat from 'The Wizard of Oz' has a $100,000 minimum bid. Rocky Balboa's boxing boots, hoverboards from 'Back to the Future Part II,' and rugs from 'The Big Lebowski' are also on the block.
The auction spans film, music, and pop culture icons, with bids opening at varying levels. The lightsaber remains the centerpiece, expected to command the highest price. Heritage Auctions has not released a total estimated value for the sale.
While such sales often draw intense collector interest, the market for high-end memorabilia can be volatile. A counter argument: some items may fail to meet reserves if bidding softens amid broader economic uncertainty.