The iconic droid’s headpiece is expected to fetch up to £1m at a London auction
Anthony Daniels, the actor who played C-3PO in the Star Wars saga, is putting his golden headpiece from the first film up for sale. The headpiece is part of a collection of film and TV memorabilia that will be auctioned off by Propstore in London from November 9 to 12. The collection includes items from franchises such as Indiana Jones, James Bond and A Nightmare On Elm Street, with a total value of more than £12m.
How the headpiece was made and used in the film
The headpiece is a screen-matched, light-up head that was used in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It was made by sculptor Liz Moore, who based it on the design by concept artist Ralph McQuarrie. The headpiece was fitted with electronics and lights that could be controlled by a remote. Daniels wore the headpiece along with a fibreglass body suit to portray the droid C-3PO, a protocol droid fluent in over six million forms of communication.
Why Anthony Daniels decided to sell his personal collection
Daniels, who is the only actor to appear in all nine Star Wars films, said he was thrilled to offer his collection to fans and collectors around the world. He said he hoped the pieces would bring pleasure and give them a chance to own a piece of the real thing. He said he trusted Propstore to curate his collection and ensure that the pieces would go into the right hands. He also said he was proud of his role as C-3PO and grateful for the support of the Star Wars community.
What other items are featured in the auction
The auction also features some other rare and valuable items from various film and TV genres. Some of the highlights are:
- Freddy Krueger’s hero glove worn by Robert Englund in the A Nightmare On Elm Street series, estimated to sell for between £200,000 and £400,000.
- A shirt and a bullwhip used by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the 1984 film Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, estimated to sell for between £150,000 and £300,000 and £100,000 and £200,000 respectively.
- Leonardo DiCaprio’s costume as Jack Dawson in the 1997 film Titanic, estimated to sell for between £100,000 and £200,000.
- The shield used by Chris Evans as Captain America in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger, estimated to sell for between £50,000 and £100,000.
- Items worn or used by Daniel Craig, Jennifer Lawrence, Marlon Brando and Cillian Murphy in various films.
How to bid for the items and view the collection
The auction will run from November 9 to 12 at the BFI IMAX in London. The items will be on display for the public to view from October 30 to November 12. Bidders can register online at Propstore’s website and place their bids either in person, by phone or online. The auction will be live-streamed on Propstore’s website and social media channels. The auction catalogue can be downloaded for free from Propstore’s website.
Will the auction break any records or cause any controversies?
The auction is expected to be one of the largest and most diverse of its kind, with more than 1,800 lots of film and TV memorabilia. The auction could break some records for the highest prices paid for certain items, especially the C-3PO headpiece, which is one of the most iconic and recognizable props in film history. However, the auction could also cause some controversies, as some fans and critics may question the authenticity or the ethics of selling such items. Some may also wonder if the auction is a sign of the end of an era for the Star Wars franchise, which has been going on for more than four decades.
