- Iconic bikini from Episode VI – Return of the Jedi raises huge sum
- Miniature Y-Wing starfighter ship prop sells for more than $1 million
- The auction of a range of film props and memorabilia realized more than $5 million
One of the most famous costumes in cinema history – Princess Leia’s ‘slave Leia’ bikini from Episode VI – Return of the Jedi – has sold for a huge sum at auction.
Bidding war
Bidding on the costume, worn by Carrie Fisher in the 1983 film, started at $34,000 and a bidding war ensured between several collectors, with the winning bid standing at a cool $175,000.
The gold bikini was worn when Leia was chained to crime boss Jabba the Hutt’s throne after she had been captured trying to rescue Han Solo.
This was just one of the star lots at the Hollywood/Entertainment Signature Auction held in Dallas, Texas by Heritage Auctions. In all, the auction realized more than $5.9 million, with just under 2,300 bidders from all over the world bidding on lots.
Biggest sale
But the biggest individual sale was a model of a Y-Wing fighter that took on the Death Star in Episode IV – Star Wars: A New Hope, which sold for $1.55 million.
The model, made by Colin Cantwell, was one of only two ‘hero’ models made for the film. Bidding on the 27.5-inch model started at $300,000 but several bidders pushed the price up to more than five times that amount. It is now the third most valuable Star Wars screen-used prop sold at auction.
“I’ve said it repeatedly: Collectors’ desire to own a piece of Hollywood history remains intense and insatiable,” said Joe Maddelena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions. “This auction proved that the summer blockbuster is alive and well at Heritage.”
