The C-3PO head, described as the only known example of the fictional droid’s head to appear on the collector market, commanded over $1 million, according to auction reports. It was the highlight of the auction, which took place on Wednesday during the first day of the Spring Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction at the Propstore auction house in Los Angeles. Brandon Alinger, Chief Operating Officer of Propstore, noted that Star Wars material continues to resonate with collectors and the C-3PO head was a real highlight of the day. The identity of the buyer and seller of this iconic prop remains undisclosed.
Other notable sales included items from the film Jaws, which recently marked its 50th anniversary. The harpoon gun used by actor Robert Shaw, accompanied by its original case, sold for $327,600 (£248,182), while the Fenwick fishing rod with reel used by Shaw’s Quint character fetched $239,400 (£181,364), as reported by the auction house. Additionally, the shark tooth clapperboard from the production of Jaws sold for $81,900 (£62,045). Alinger said the Jaws collection also delivered an impressive overall result, reflecting its enduring appeal with collectors. From the 2000 film Cast Away, a Wilson volleyball used by Tom Hanks sold for $189,000 (£143,181), within its pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $300,000 (£110,000 to £220,000), according to auction details.
Further high-value items included broken pieces of a sword called Shards of Narsil, used in The Lord of the Rings series, which sold for $252,000 (£190,909). The auction also featured a golden ticket from the 1971 adaptation of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, though its exact sale price has not been confirmed. The total number of items sold on the first day is unknown, but the event generated significant interest among collectors.
The auction's first day results totaled $6.5 million (£4.9 million), with Alinger stating that they saw a strong start to the auction, with competitive bidding right from the outset. The event showcased a diverse range of memorabilia, with buyers and sellers for most items remaining anonymous. Alinger added that with such a diverse line-up of material still to come, they are excited to see how the rest of the auction unfolds.
The final day of bidding, scheduled for March 27, will be dedicated to animation, featuring more than 200 lots celebrating the artistry of animation in film and television, according to the auction house. The specific animation items to be offered have not been detailed, but they are expected to attract further collector attention.