Darth Vader's 'I am your father' lightsaber heads to auction with $1m estimate
The lightsaber Darth Vader held for the duel where he tells Luke Skywalker "I am your father" is going up for sale at Heritage Auctions. The auction house expects it to fetch at least US$1 million, The Guardian reported on 9 October 2026. It is a hero duelling prop, the working version built to be swung on set and seen in close-up.
The same hilt was also used in Return of the Jedi. That links it to two chapters of the original story, the Empire Strikes Back confrontation and Vader's return in the follow-up film.
The Vader weapon leads a large Star Wars sale. Heritage Auctions will offer more than two dozen lightsaber props spanning Episodes I through IX alongside other films and television shows, The Guardian reported.
Two of the lower estimates belong to the prequels. Dueling lightsabers carried by Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith are expected to sell for at least US$10,000 apiece.
Blasters feature too. An EE-3 carbine blaster carried by Boba Fett throughout The Empire Strikes Back is estimated to bring more than US$100,000.
Other lots reach beyond weapons. They include a Yoda puppet hand operated by Frank Oz in The Empire Strikes Back, a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and a signed, personal third-draft screenplay for the original 1977 Star Wars film belonging to Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO.
The estimates follow a big result in July. A lightsaber prop with Luke Skywalker's severed hand from The Empire Strikes Back sold for US$3.75 million at auction, which was the highest price ever paid for a prop used in a Star Wars film, according to the auction house, The Guardian reported.
For fans, this means a rare chance to see the full range in one place. Anyone who has seen the films will recognise the shapes. Prices start at five figures and climb fast from there.
