News Summary

• Star Wars lightsaber used by villain Darth Vader will go under the hammer for the first time.
• The weapon and duelling prop will go up for auction in September.
• The lightsaber was used during duels in the final acts of both films.
• It is believed to be the only hero lightsaber prop from the original Star Wars trilogy with verifiable screen use ever to be offered at public auction.
• The live auction coincides with the 45th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, with the prop estimated to sell at £746,000 to £2,241,000.