From posters to helmets, Star Wars collectibles up for auction

[December 07, 2019]    LONDON (Reuters) - From vintage posters to action figures, Star Wars collectibles are up for grabs in an online auction, days ahead of the release of the sci-fi saga's highly-anticipated ninth chapter.

Sotheby's employees hold a "Return of the Jedi" promotional C-3PO Helmet 1983, estimated at £15,000-£25,000 created by George Lucas' visual effects company and a prototype of an Imperial Stormtrooper helmet 1976, estimated at £30,000-£60,000 created for the first "Star Wars" film during a photocall at Sotheby's in London, Britain December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

"Star Wars Online" features more than 100 items dating back decades, with prices ranging from 100 to 60,000 pounds, according to auction house Sotheby's.

Among the memorabilia is a prototype Imperial Stormtrooper helmet from 1976, which as an estimated price tag of 30,000 - 60,000 pounds ($38,490 - $76,980). A toy shop display of "The Empire Strikes Back" figures and Millennium Falcon ship is priced at 7,000 - 10,000 pounds.

A 1976 poster designed to promote the first "Star Wars" film "A New Hope" and signed by actor Mark Hamill has a price tag of 5,000 - 8,000 pounds.

It "has taken over a year to put together pieces from all over the world, combining film, original film posters, original concept, art works, props, toys," Bruce Marchant, film poster consultant for Sotheby's, told Reuters.

The online sale began last week and runs until Dec. 13.

The film, "The Rise of Skywalker", begins its cinema roll-out from Dec. 18. ($1 = 0.7794 pounds)

(Reporting by Lisa Keddie; Writing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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