Star Wars Movie Memorabilia : Costumes
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
Costumes played an integral part of making the world of Star Wars come alive on the screen, and the costumes are every bit as iconic as the characters. To this day, millions of people around the world still dress up as their favorite Star Wars characters, and while they usually do so with replica masks and clothing, we know most of them would love the ability to own just one of these costume pieces from the original films. Here are the most expensive we could find from auctions :
Padme Peasant Costume – $2,950
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 43
Date Sold: December 17, 2010
Details: This is the peasant costume worn by Natalie Portman during the filming of the first Star Wars when her character, Padme, was traveling through tatooine along with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. The costume featured a rough spun gray tunic with integral blue belt tie and red fabric emblem, blue top and numerous strips of gray cloth wraps.
Battle Droid Arm – $3,021
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: This prop was used during the battle scenes in Episode I to represent destroyed remains of the Trade Federation’s war droids. It is made of resin and has the ability to bend at the elbow, wrist, and fingers. It looks like nothing more than a piece of plastic but George Lucas was a fan of authenticity and wanted to make even the throwaway parts in the background look real like this arm.
C-3PO Left Foot – $3,022
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: This is one of the only vacuum-formed shoe cover that Anthony Daniels, actor who played C-3PO, wore during the Star Wars movies because they changed them to cast rubber boots for the other two original films. It was used during the first movie but the scenes it appeared in are not known.
Rebel Soldier Helmet – $3,690
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 21, 2012
Details: This Rebel Soldier helmet was used during The Empire Strikes Back for longer group shots since it was not labeled as hero decorated for a specific character pilot.
Rebel Soldier Ceremonial Belt – $3,777
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: This was the Ceremonial Jacket and belt worn by the Rebel Soldiers during the film’s final scene where Princess Leia gives an award to those responsible for the destruction of the Death Star. It is very thick and can be worn the same way it was used for in the movie. It is similar to military garments worn during World War II.
Hoth Trooper Gloves – $3,778
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: These gloves were worn by a soldier defending the rebel base on Hoth. He wore these gauntlets while battling the Imperial stormtroopers and their AT-AT walkers. These gloves are almost as neat as the next one on the list.
Yoda Right Hand – $4,000
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 62
Date Sold: December 21, 2013
Details: Frank Oz, the actor behind the Yoda puppet, wore this on his left hand during the filming of The Phantom Menace. After the filming of Episode I ended, the entire Yoda puppet was sent to Australia where it was to be used for Episode II but Yoda changed from puppet to 100% digital and the glove was never used. Luckily, a makeup tech found it and preserved it. This is the final hand ever used for the Yoda character puppet.
Rebel Soldier Ceremonial Jacket – $4,720
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: ScreenUsed Spring 2015 Auction
Date Sold: March 21, 2015
Details: This ceremonial jacket was used during the Medal Award Ceremony scenes. You can see this jacket on a Rebel Soldier standing between C-3PO and R2-D2 as Princess Leia gives out medals during the final scene in the film.
Rebel Blockade Runner Shirt – $4,723
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope
Auction: The Angels Star Collection of Film & TV Costumes
Date Sold: March 6, 2007
Details: These crew shirts are seen early in the film on the blockade runner ship as it is fleeing the star destroyer.
Imperial and X-Wing Pilot Gloves – $5,288
Movie: Episodes IV, V, VI (1977-1983)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: These black gloves were worn by pilots on both sides of the battles. The Imperial pilots wore them in their TIE Fighters while the Rebel pilots had them on while flying their X-Wing Fighters.
B-Wing Pilot Helmet & Chestpiece – $5,289
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: During the battle to destroy the second Death Star above the moon of Endor, the B-Wing fighter pilots wore this flight gear during the filming of the fight scenes.
Yoda’s Left Hand – $6,000
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Rock & Film Memorabilia
Date Sold: April 27, 2005
Details: This left hand was used for Yoda’s puppeteer’s for holding items during the filming of Episode V.
Imperial Stormtrooper Helmet – $6,878
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Ewbank’s Entertainment & Memorabilia
Date Sold: December 3, 2015
Details: This stormtrooper helmet is rare because it is an unfinished model. It was only sold once from the personal collection of Andrew Ainsworth, creator of the original stormtrooper helmet design.
Naboo Palace Guard Jacket (1999) – $8,260
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 42
Date Sold: November 6, 2010
Details: The Royal Naboo Guards wore these jackets throughout the film.
Viceroy Nute Gunray Head – $10,572
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: As you may already know, Viceroy Nute Gunray was one of the leaders of the Trade Federation. This was the silicone mask worn by Silas Carson during the film.
Rebel Commander Jacket – $12,267
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Angels Star Collection of Film & TV Costumes
Date Sold: March 6, 2007
Details: This military style jacket was created and worn by the Rebel Commanders in the beginning of the film.
Stormtrooper Costume – $12,300
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: This is the complete Stormtrooper costume, one of only 30 ever made, as part of a 1997 promotional tour. It is the most accurate costume not used in the film itself ever created.
Stormtrooper Helmet Prototype – $12,627
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Film and Rock & Roll Memorabilia
Date Sold: June 20, 2007
Details: Not all Stormtrooper prototypes remain intact like this one here. As such, the value of it has grown over time and is now one of the few remaining prototypes in existence.
Bespin Security Guard Jacket – $12,843
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: Lando Calrissian’s cyborg aide Lobot was in control of the Bespin security guards that can be seen throughout the film with Lando.
Imperial Commanders Uniform – $13,529
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Angels Star Collection of Film & TV Costumes
Date Sold: March 6, 2007
Details: The Imperial Commanders are seen throughout the film donning the uniform pictured here.
Yoda’s Left Hand – $14,160
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1983)
Auction: ScreenUsed Summer 2014 Auction
Date Sold: July 12, 2014
Details: Before George Lucas got rid of the Yoda puppet for some fancy digital technology, Yoda was 100% authentic. This is the left hand of Yoda used during The Empire Strikes Back.
Jawa Headpiece – $14,760
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: This was one of the masks worn by the Jawa’s for Star Wars Episode I back in 1999.
C-3PO Hands – $16,621
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: There are cool items and then there are C-3PO hands. Who wouldn’t want to own this original used pair of working droid hands from the first Star Wars?
Ewok Headpiece – $19,420
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Date Sold: September 23, 2015
Details: If you could own this, you would have the most authentic Halloween costume at any party you went to. There is literally no one in the World that can have the same thing being as this is the only one.
Princess Leia Poncho & Helmet – $19,680
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Icons of Hollywood Auction
Date Sold: December 16, 2011
Details: Much like the Ewok headpiece above, this helmet and poncho was the actual costume pieces Princess Leia wore during the flying scenes on Endor.
Rebel Alliance Pilot Helmet – $20,000
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 53
Date Sold: December 16, 2012
Details: This is, just like a lot of these high end items, an original pilot helmet used during the filming. It is not a replica.
Biker Scout Stormtrooper Helmet – $25,690
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Prop Store Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts
Date Sold: October 16, 2014
Details: The coolest chase scene in any Star Wars film was the biker scout stormtrooper scene on Endor in Return of the Jedi. This was one of the stormtroopers helmet that they wore.
Hoth Trooper Hat – $26,908
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction
Date Sold: September 23, 2015
Details: If the chase scene on Endor was the coolest in the Star Wars franchise than the coolest battle scene was on Hoth in the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back. Owning any part of that battle is worth a good chunk of change.
Yoda’s Hero Pendant – $32,450
Movie: Episode V, VI (1980, 1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 43
Date Sold: December 17, 2010
Details: Yoda wore this pendant in both Episodes V and VI. It was part of his puppet costume and feels real.
C-3PO Hands – $32,500
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 33
Date Sold: December 13, 2008
Details: The hands of C-3PO used along with the headpiece you are about to see were both worn during the filming of the third film.
Rodian Mask – $36,900
Movie: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: The Greedo character is one of the most popular of the ones with very little screen time. He was the Rodian that attempted to kill Han Solo in the Cantina while collecting a debt for Jabba the Hut. This mask was worn by a main character during Episode I, especially during the pod racing scenes.
Yoda’s Walking Cane – $50,150
Movie: Episode V, VI
Auction: Rock & Film Memorabilia
Date Sold: April 27, 2005
Details: Yoda needed help to get around during scenes where you can see him walking. This was the cane he used to get from location A to location B in any scene.
Darth Vader Robe and Cape – $55,000
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 21
Date Sold: April 1, 2005
Details: Although this does not include the mask or headpiece, just being able to display the rope and cape of Darth Vader’s costume is worth the purchase.
Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Jumpsuit – $60,000
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 22
Date Sold: July 29, 2005
Details: This was the actual jumpsuit Luke Skywalker was wearing when he destroyed the Death Star in Episode IV.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Cloak – $81,179
Movie: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Auction: The Angels Star Collection of Film and Television Costumes
Date Sold: March 6, 2009
Details: This cloak has been locked away in the Angels Star vault since it was used during the original movies making this not only rare, but near mint.
Stormtrooper Helmet – $82,600
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 37
Date Sold: October 9, 2009
Details: There will never be a better helmet in the Star Wars universe than the Stormtrooper helmet. Yes, Darth Vader is iconic but these helmets are just so much more fun.
Princess Leia’s Bikini – $96,800
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 74
Date Sold: October 1, 2015
Details: Ever dreamt about Princess Leia in that infamous Gold bikini during Return of the Jedi? Someone did and they decided to go out and buy it.
Stormtrooper Helmet – $98,400
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: Billy Horrigan, stunt performer for the Star Wars films, wore this helmet during production. It is written on the inside of the helmet too.
Darth Vader’s Headpiece – $110,700
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 49
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: Darth Vader is an iconic movie villain so it is only natural that anything of his will sell for a good amount. Even the busts used for the promotional touring costume of his that was restored to look almost brand spanking new.
C-3PO Headpiece – $120,000
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction 33
Date Sold: December 13, 2008
Details: Anthony Daniels is the face behind the C-3PO mask and he wore this one for the taping of the third movie from the original trilogy.
Darth Vader’s Touring Costume – $147,600
Movie: Episodes V, VI – (1980, 1983)
Auction: Icons of Hollywood Auction
Date Sold: December 16, 2011
Details: As part of a touring promotion, characters from the Star Wars movie traveled all over and this is the touring costume worn by Darth Vader.
Chewbacca’s Headpiece – $172,200
Movie: Episode IV, V, VI
Auction: The Dreier Collection
Date Sold: July 28, 2012
Details: Every time you watch Star Wars Episode IV, you will see this headpiece as it was part of the original Chewbacca costume worn by Peter Mayhew.
Snowtrooper Helmet – $276,750
Movie: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Auction: Profiles in History – Hollywood Auction
Date Sold: July 31, 2012
Details: As we mentioned earlier about the battle on Hoth being the best in the Star Wars saga, this is one of the Snowtroopers helmet worn throughout that battle.
Stormtrooper Costume – $319,574
Movie: Episode IV, V, VI – The Entire Trilogy
Auction: Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia
Date Sold: November 23, 2011
Details: This is the most complete Stormtrooper costume set used during the original Star Wars trilogy filming making it one of the most sought after items of any Star Wars fan.
