Believe It Or Not: Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber Was Bought By Ripley’s For $450,000
Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber, the mesmerizing movie-prop weapon that eventually saved the galaxy from evil, has been bought at a Hollywood auction for $450,000 by Ripley’s Entertainment. Skywalker’s droid buddy, little R2D2, went to another buyer for an enormous $2.76 million. The sale broke the record for any movie memorabilia ever auctioned, according to the Profiles in History auction house. The lightsaber, used in the ground-breaking 1977 “Star Wars” film and 1980′s “The Empire Strikes Back,” was originally owned by Gary Kurtz, a producer on both films. The sci-fi weapon was created using a 1930’s-era Graflex flashgun camera, according to the auction house. “For us, that’s a cool ‘believe it or not’ recycled art before anybody was calling it that,” Ripley’s exhibits vice president Edward Meyer told The Orlando Sentinel. Ripley’s headquartered in Orlando, Florida and runs several Believe It Or Not! museums and events.
The auction house provided no information on the droid lover who scooped up R2-D2 on Wednesday. The 43-inch-tall R2-D2 was compiled of parts used during filming of the original “Star Wars” trilogy but the lightsaber is THE “Star Wars” icon. Luke relied on his trusty lightsaber, which Obi-Wan Kenobi characterized as an “elegant weapon” from a “more civilized age” before the dark times. In his final confrontation with the man he eventually discovers is his father, Darth Vadar, was when Star War fans really got to see the special effects of the lightsabers. Fans across the nation earlier this year also paid homage to the late Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia, with lightsaber vigils. Ripley’s also own other quirky “Star Wars” items, including hair from a Chewbacca costume and a Pieta-style sculpture of Chewbacca holding Han Solo. It has also obtained a 15-foot version of the film series’ Millennium Falcon ship, created from nearly a million matchsticks, which will be a centerpiece of Ripley’s “Star Wars” display. The “Star Wars” artifacts were among a number of eclectic Profiles in History auction offerings, which just for an FYI also included a 50th birthday party invitation President Donald Trump sent to actress Loni Anderson … in a galaxy far, far away. LOL!
Ripley’s Museum Is The Perfect Place For This Star Wars Lightsaber Memorabilia!
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
My sense about the bidding on the Star Wars Lightsaber was that it got intense and Ripley’s Museum was determined they were going to own it. I believe they would have owned R2D2 also if another private buyer with deep pockets was just as determined.
The Sun: Inverted (Upside Down)
This is about everything turning out ok, regardless. Since pulled inverted, I would say everyone got what they came for but possibly at a little steeper price than they were expecting.
Two of Wands: Inverted
This is a burden being carried. Since pulled inverted, I feel whomever released the Star Wars memorabilia feels better not owning them. Almost as though the responsibility was not wanted anymore.
The Empress:
This is a female energy that usually gets what they want in life and loves material things. This could represent your unknown buyer of R2D2.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.