There is a new record for the most expensive "Star Wars" item in the galaxy!
An original painting for the 1977 film, "Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope," sold Wednesday at Heritage Auctions for $3,875,000. Bidding began at $1 million.
The price dethrones the previous record-holder for George Lucas' franchise, Darth Vader’s screen-matched lightsaber from “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” which fetched $3.65 million in September.
Tom Jung’s original artwork was later used on the film’s theatrical program, the 24-sheet billboard and many future promotional items.
“Heritage Auctions has had the privilege of offering countless extraordinary pieces of Star Wars history,” Charles Epting, Heritage’s director of pop culture and historical consignments, said in a statement. “But none embody the heart and spirit of the saga quite like this painting. This is the image that launched a mythology — the first glimpse of a universe that continues to inspire awe and wonder nearly 50 years later.”
Due to the early timing of the painting’s creation, with the film still in early development, droids C-3P0 and R2-D2 were not included and only added later by Jung to the lower right corner.
Following the film’s release, the painting was hung in the office of producer Gary Kurtz, who later moved it to his home in the early 1980s, where it remained prior to this auction.
“It has been an honor to have this wonderful painting with us all these years,” Kurtz's daughter Melissa added in a statement. “It serves as a warm reminder of that incredible experience — being part of the making of a film that has touched so many lives.”
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Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.