‘Empire Strikes Back’ Stormtrooper Helmet Fetches $120,000 at Auction
With “Star Wars” fever rising, and merchandise from the franchise clogging retailers around the world, a rare original Stormtrooper helmet from 1980’s “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” was sold at auction at the Prop Store in London on Sept. 23. It fetched $120,000.
Other items on the block included Leonard Nimoy’s Mr. Spock costume and Christopher Reeve’s Superman tunic.
Films such as “Back to the Future,” “Blade Runner” and “A Clockwork Orange,” and TV show “Dr. Who,” also contributed artifacts.
“The Stormtrooper is one of the quintessential costumes of the ‘Star Wars’ films,” says Brandon Alinger, Prop Store chief operating officer and author of “Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy.” “The menacing helmet instantly said so much about the world George Lucas created. Today, it may be one of the most recognized designs in film history. To own an original helmet is perhaps the ultimate ‘Star Wars’ collectible.”
The auction was live-streamed, allowing fans to bid online, and was held in partnership with the British Film Institute, Imax and Odeon.
Related stories
George Lucas, Sumner Redstone Among Forbes' List of Richest Americans
7 Things We Learned From Quentin Tarantino's New Interview
Johnny Depp Makes Surprise Appearance at Disney's D23 Expo
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
