Star Wars Movie Memorabilia : Production & Promotion
With the latest installment (Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens) of the Star Wars saga set to hit theaters later this week, we wanted to take this opportunity to look back at the previous six films, and highlight some of the most amazing (and expensive) movie memorabilia ever purchased at auction.
The memorabilia will be organized in a 4-part series :
- Weapons : Lightsabers, Blasters, Rifles
- Costumes : Helmets, Masks, Clothing
- Models : Vehicles, Props, Set Pieces
- Production & Promotion : Scripts, Documents, Cameras, Artwork
This final part of our series will feature anything related to production or promotion of the film. This includes any artwork, scripts, storyboards, designs, cards, posters, books, and blueprints. However it also includes cameras, clapperboard and other souvenirs from the set. May the Force be With You!
Star Wars Color Variant Poster – $2,768
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: National Screen Service, the largest company in the United States that controlled the distribution of theatrical advertising materials from 1940 until the mid 1980’s, hired a printing press contractor to make the reissue movie posters for The Empire Strikes Back in 1982. That company accidentally punched the wrong color code for the blue background and the result was a sky blue color variant instead of the proposed dark blue. Nearly all of the incorrectly printed posters were destroyed except for a couple making this one of the most rare Star Wars movie poster collectibles to date.
Cast Book w/ Autograph – $3,021
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: This is a crew book that was given out to the entire cast and crew and features several pages of black and white images. The final page in the book is autographed by George Lucas and Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz and is written to each person specifically.
R2-D2 Original Storyboard – $3,600
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: This is an original storyboard drawing by Joe Johnston that depicts R2-D2 in the X-Wing Fighter from Luke Skywalker’s point of view. It was drawn in black pen and ink. The details of the shot are listed on the bottom of the page.
Original Costume Designs – $3,600
Movie: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 74
Date Sold: September 28, 2015
Details: This auction also included drawings of Obi-Wan Kenobi and were both hand-colored production Xerox costume designs by John Mollo. Both costume designs were Xerox copies originally that were then colored in with ink and pastels. Both sheets are autographed by Academy Award winner John Mollo.
Episode IV Movie Poster – $4,375
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: TCM Presents…There’s No Place Like Hollywood
Date Sold: November 24, 2014
Details: This vintage Star Wars Episode IV movie poster is done in Style “A” and has a linen backing. The illustrations were done by Tom Jung and this poster came from the collection of Robert Osborne.
Storyboard Art by Ivor Beddoes – $4,500
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History
Date Sold: Unknown
Details: The storyboard concept drawings depict the lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader including notes describing camera angles and actions for the actors. This auction featured a total of 4 sheets from that battle.
Steven Spielberg’s SW Contract – $4,613
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: This is the contract that Steven Spielberg signed along with George Lucas that stated that Amblin Productions Inc has an exclusive employment agreement which also allows certain consulting on the Star Wars film.
Revenge of the Jedi Poster – $4,800
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: eBay (Originally Comic-Con in Miami 2011)
Date Sold: November 27, 2015
Details: Return of the Jedi was originally going to be called Revenge of the Jedi and some theatrical teaser posters were created before the name changed. This poster originated from Comic-Con in Miami back in 2011 from Billy Dee Williams himself. It also features several autographs too.
Bunny Alsup Crew Jacket – $5,015
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 44
Date Sold: May 15, 2011
Details: This blue winter parka crew jacket was worn during the ice cold Hoth battle scenes which were shot in Finse, Norway by Bunny Alsup. Bunny Alsup was the personal assistant to both George Lucas and Gary Kurtz and was in incredibly great shape when auctioned in 2011.
Millennium Falcon Blueprints – $5,605
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Date Sold: September 23, 2015
Details: There is no need to waste your time here, this is exactly what you think it is. It is the coolest piece of Star Wars memorabilia we have showcased so far. It is the blueprint used to build the Millennium Falcon.
Original Film Dolly – $6,000
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 74
Date Sold: October 1, 2015
Details: This is Richard Edlund’s film dolly that was originally used during Star Wars Episode IV. It was also used for Episodes V and VI in the Star Wars saga. It then was used for other films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Poltergeist I and II, Ghostbusters, Die Hard, Big Trouble in Little China, Cliffhanger, Batman Returns, True Lies, Species, Air Force One, and many others.
Star Wars Billboard Poster – $6,770
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Star Wars Collection of the late B. Lightbody
Date Sold: September 16, 2006
Details: This was a movie poster from the original Star Wars that was featured on a billboard and measures a ridiculous 20 feet long when unfolded.
Star Wars Original Six-Sheet Poster – $7,500
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Debbie Reynolds: The Auction
Date Sold: June 18, 2011
Details: This is one of the few original Star Wars six-sheet movie posters but this one is in mint condition making it the most valuable. It is about six feet by six feet when put together making it quite large.
Original Production Pictures – $7,995
Movie: Episodes IV, V, VI (1977, 1980, 1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 40
Date Sold: June 11, 2010
Details: This is exactly what it says, production photos and transparencies from the original Star Wars trilogy.
Star Wars Mini-Cards – $7,995
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: The Star Wars original trilogy mini lobby cards auction was worth so much money because it was not only in good condition, it was the first edition series of the cards. It features six complete sets and various extra cards.
Episode IV 3rd Draft Script – $8,320
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 74
Date Sold: October 1, 2015
Details: This 3rd draft is an original copy and gives Star Wars fan a peak into the mind of George Lucas. It is showing you how much went into the creation of a movie.
Clapperboard & Unit List – $9,717
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Date Sold: September 23, 2015
Details: This was used during the filming of Return of the Jedi with a final date of 11.20.1981 at the bottom of the clapperboard.
Entire Cast Autographed Script – $10,000
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 65
Date Sold: October 17, 2014
Details: The original script from A New Hope is signed by Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, James Earl Jones, Gary Kurtz, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Denis Lawson, Paul Blake, Garrick Hagon, and Ben Burt.
Episode VI Storyboards – $12,000
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 62
Date Sold: December 21, 2013
Details: These are original storyboards drawn by Roy Carnon depicting the lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in Episode VI.
Luke Skywalker Storyboard – $12,995
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 62
Date Sold: December 21, 2013
Details: This is another original Roy Carnon storyboard depicting the lightsaber duel between both Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
X-Wing Fighter Blueprint – $13,530
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Icons of Hollywood
Date Sold: December 16, 2011
Details: Steve Gawley is the original artist behind the blueprints for one of the most iconic Star Wars vehicles in existence, the X-Wing Fighter.
Mark Hamill’s Contract – 15,925
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Heritage Auctions – 2007 Signature Entertainment Auction
Date Sold: April 14, 2007
Details: Many Star Wars collector’s have the same stuff. It is the rare items that bring in the most money because of its scarcity. The Mark Hamill contract is an original and is the only one of its kind.
Y-Wing Fighter Blueprint – $15,990
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Icons of Hollywood Auction
Date Sold: December 16, 2011
Details: Steve Gawley designed and created the blueprints for the Y-Wing fighters. This is the original artwork he created for the plane to be used for the first movie.
Star Wars Painting by Dan Goozee – $16,250
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: TCM Presents…Picture Perfect
Date Sold: July 20, 2015
Details: Dan Goozee is best known for creating the concept art for Battlestar Gallactica. However, before he got there, he was asked to draw something up for the new Star Wars film and this is the original piece of work he created.
Production Design Bible – $18,450
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Icons of Hollywood Auction
Date Sold: December 16, 2011
Details: This was called the production bible because it was a booklet that contained more than 70 pages of concept designs that were used during the filming in their original binder.
Production Used Scripts – $24,600
Movie: Episode’s IV, V, VI – The Original Trilogy
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 53
Date Sold: December 16, 2012
Details: This is a set of scripts that were used by the production crew for the Star Wars movies. They are all original and show signs of plenty wear and tear.
“Blue Harvest” Clapperboard – $26,550
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: ScreenUsed Summer 2012 Auction
Date Sold: July 21, 2012
Details: Blue harvest? That was the false film title used during the filming of Return of the Jedi. Anything with the Blue Harvest title is very valuable.
Star Wars “A” 1-SHT – $30,750
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: This is Tom Jung’s final concept drawing for the original Star Wars movie poster.
Hand-Painted “A” Quad Poster – $37,373
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Date Sold: September 23, 2015
Details: This is a recreation of the original artwork of Roger Kastel and is done using Style “A” which was only used for a short period of time making this a very rare find.
“Star Wars” by Howard Chaykin – $37,600
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Rock & Roll and Film Memorabilia Auction
Date Sold: November 20, 2005
Details: Copies of this original watercolor were given out during the World Sci-Fi convention in Kansas City in 1976.
“A” Camera Clapperboard – $38,350
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: ScreenUsed Autumn 2012 Auction
Date Sold: November 3, 2012
Details: How about owning a clapperboard that they used during Episode V for camera “A”? There isn’t many items that are more significant to the Star Wars universe than a good old clapperboard.
Episode V Screen-Used Kodalith – $47,200
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 44
Date Sold: May 15, 2011
Details: During the opening scene in Episode V, you see a scrolling title sequence that gives you an update on where the galaxy last left us. This was the kodalith used to make that scrolling story.
Original Vehicle Designs – $49,200
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Greatest Toy Auction on Earth
Date Sold: July 26, 2008
Details: This is a set of production designs for the original vehicles eventually created as toys to be sold by Kenner.
Mitchell Vistavision Camera – $72,000
Movie: Episode IV, V, VI – The Original Trilogy
Auction: Debbie Reynolds: The Auction
Date Sold: May 18, 2014
Details: This is the camera used for more than just Star Wars and it was used to film special effects scenes.
“Star Wars” by Tom Jung – $73,800
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: This artwork created by Tom Jung is known as the most famous Star Wars original poster ever sold. This is the near finished version but was missing R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Panavision Camera – $639,600
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Debbie Reynolds: The Auction
Date Sold: December 3, 2011
Details: This was the camera George Lucas used for principal photography during the original Star Wars filming.
