The sci-fi weapon from 'Return of the Jedi' was reportedly sold to Ripley's Believe It or Not for $550,000.
- Jun 25, 2018
AceShowbiz - Han Solo's blaster from "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" was put on Julien's Auctions on Saturday, June 23 and sold for $550,000. Ripley's Believe It or Not reportedly purchased the weapon, which was used by Harrison Ford in the movie franchise. According to the auction's catalog, it's believed to be one of the four production-used blasters in the film, but it's not the blank firing "practical" one.
The event, which entitled "Hollywood Legends", was held at Planet Hollywood casino resort in Las Vegas. Juliens Auctions took to Twitter on the same day to confirm the purchasing by posting the picture of the sci-fi weapon. "SOLD for $550,000! An original Han Solo blaster used in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi! Sold today in our 'Hollywood Legends' memorabilia auction at @PHVegas and online at https://www.JuliensLive.com ! #StarWars #MovieProp #ReturnOfTheJedi #HarrisonFord #HanSolo," the caption read.
SOLD for $550,000! An original Han Solo blaster used in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi! Sold today in our "Hollywood Legends" memorabilia auction at @PHVegas and online at https://t.co/TiME89uOXn! #StarWars#MovieProp#ReturnOfTheJedi#HarrisonFord#HanSolopic.twitter.com/2rOfllZlSZ
— Juliens Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) June 23, 2018
Julien's Auctions executive director Martin Nolan stated that the sci-fi weapon is an exciting item because it came directly from the art director of the movie. "The Han Solo blaster is one of the most exciting offerings of genuine Star Wars movie prop memorabilia ever to come to auction given the provenance of this piece coming directly from the Art Director from 'Return of the Jedi'," he said.
Made mostly of metal, the iconic blaster was in the possession of the film's art director James Schoppe for more than 30 years. Schoppe was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Art Direction for his work on "Return of the Jedi". The Han Solo's blaster is accompanied with a Letter of Authenticity from Schoppe, as well as production documents related to its provenance.
Besides Han Solo's blaster, he put other properties from the movie in the auction such as an original black biker scout blaster, which sold for $90,624.
SOLD for $90,624! An original Biker Scout blaster from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi! Sold today in our "Hollywood Legends" memorabilia auction at @PHVegas and online at https://t.co/TiME89uOXn! #Memorabilia#Auction#StarWars#MovieProppic.twitter.com/lR1b3tWEfq
— Juliens Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) June 23, 2018
Another weapon property, an original Ewok axe, which also made of wood, was auctioned for $11,250.
SOLD for $11,250! An original Ewok prop axe from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi! Sold today in our "Hollywood Legends" #memorabilia#auction at @PHVegas and online at https://t.co/TiME89uOXn! #StarWars#MovieProp#Ewokpic.twitter.com/JSL8QIDqd6
— Juliens Auctions (@JuliensAuctions) June 23, 2018
Other properties sold at Julien's Auction included a "Superman III" costume, which was worn by actor Christoper Reeve in 1983. The costume sold for $200,000.
