Star Wars collectibles keep setting new records, and this week a painting became the latest piece to be named the most valuable item from the franchise when it sold for $3.875 million.
Heritage Auctions sold the painting at their Signature Hollywood Auction on Wednesday, December 10.
The painting was the basis for much of the publicity for the first Star Wars film (now called Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).
It was painted by Tom Jung in classic Hollywood action, adventure style. Jung had been working in movie illustration since the 1950s, and helped create the look of big hits like Doctor Zhivago and cult favourites like Plan 9 From Outer Space.
The picture, painted before Jung had seen the movie, was kept by Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz who kept it in his California office.
The Kurtz family sold the piece, describing owning it as an “honour”.
Carrie Fisher meets the press in Gary Kurtz’s London office for The Empire Strikes Back. Mr Kurtz had one of the most significant Star Wars collections of all, including this poster. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
The painting is now the most valuable ever piece of movie art (going well beyond the July sale of the paint from the Apocalypse Now poster for $687,500). And the most valuable item from Star Wars, surpassing the sale in September this year of a Darth Vader lightsaber for $3.654 million.
Charles Epting, for Heritage said: ““This isn’t just a milestone for Star Wars. It’s a landmark moment for the entire field of pop culture collectibles and artwork.
“This painting defined the visual language one of the most beloved films of all time, and its impact clearly still resonates with collectors at the highest level.”
Also sold in the same sale, a screen-matched, background special effects painting showing the Ewok Village from Return of the Jedi made $162,500.
Topping a large collection of Wizard of Oz props and costumes, the hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 movie that made $575,000 (all prices here include buyer’s premium).
The new owner of the Star Wars painting has not been named, and they are listening to offers for their new picture – of around $4.8 million.
