As it always does, the Propstore Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction which takes place at BAFTA 195 in London on 14th – 17th November will lay out an incredible array of items for collectors to peruse and purchase, including a number from the galaxy far, far away. At the forefront of the GFFA items is a screen-matched Sandtrooper helmet from A New Hope which is sitting on an estimate of $327,000 to $655,000 and Yoda’s cane from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi estimated at between $26,000 to $52,000).
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Speaking with cllct, Propstore boss Stephen Lane delved into the company and the high regard in which Star Wars is still held, as well as an amazing story about legendary creature maker Stuart Freeborn.
There have always been the big franchise films, which Lane says some refer to as “blue chip” within the industry, such as “Star Wars” or “Indiana Jones” — Propstore set a world record when it sold Harrison Ford’s iconic Fedora for $630,000 in August. But that same auction had the Ghostface costume from “Scream,” which Lane said was a surprise when it sold for nearly $300,000. “Horror is a hugely popular, very passionate client base,” he said.
“This is a really emotive hobby. People engage with the content, and it tells them stories,” Lane said. “So it’s very tough for us to predict.”
Some of the more eye-catching lots from the upcoming auction include a screen-matched “Move Along” Sandtrooper Helmet from “Star Wars: A New Hope” (estimate: $328,000 to $656,000), Tom Hanks’ costume from “Saving Private Ryan” (estimate: $20,000 to $40,000), poster art from “James Bond: Diamonds are Forever” ($200,000 to $400,000) and Yoda’s cane from “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” (estimate: $26,000 to $52,000).
Lane has had plenty of thrilling “finds” over the years, but one that stands out to him goes back to around 2004, when he was working with famed makeup artist Stuart Freeborn, known for his work on “Star Wars” as he looked to downsize.
Inside Freeborn’s three-story house, full of his old memorabilia from films, Lane walked into the attic, where he believed they had already found all the good stuff. “We’re going through everything and then see this black plastic bag. I was on my hands and knees and I pulled it out. It had a bit of weight to it and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe there’s something in there’,” Lane recalls. “I just tore it open and then there is Chewbacca’s head.”
It was the full mask for Chewbacca. Expecting Freeborn to be thrilled he had found such an important piece, he excitedly alerted its owner, who replied kindly “Oh, I’m so happy you found that, Stephen, that’s great. Well done.”
Stay tuned because as always, we’ll be following this auction closely.
