A legendary lightsaber, forever etched in the hearts of “Star Wars” fans from a crucial moment in George Lucas’ cinematic universe, is set to headline an upcoming auction dedicated to Hollywood relics.
Heritage Auctions, based in New York, is hosting the Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction, offering a treasure trove of pop culture artifacts. Enthusiasts will have the chance to acquire memorable items such as costume hats featured in “The Wizard of Oz” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
The auction lineup also boasts a variety of other cherished collectibles: hoverboards from “Back to the Future II,” rugs from “The Big Lebowski,” boxing boots from “Rocky,” a draft screenplay from the “Godfather” sequel, and John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “If I Fell,” penned on the back of a Valentine card during the Beatles’ landmark performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Scheduled to take place from July 13 to 17, this auction promises to be a cultural event of note, according to Heritage Auctions.
The bidding for the lightsaber, making its auction debut, begins at a cool $1 million. This iconic weapon was wielded by Mark Hamill’s character, Luke Skywalker, in the dramatic Cloud City duel of 1980’s “The Empire Strikes Back.” It’s the infamous sequel where Darth Vader reveals his paternal connection, and the lightsaber is accompanied by a severed hand effects rig.
Heritage Auctions via AP 
Bidding starts at $100,000 for a Wicked Witch of the West hat worn by actor Margaret Hamilton in 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” and at $50,000 for the brown top hat worn by Gene Wilder as the title character in 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
The auction will also include a pair of boxing boots worn by Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky III.” Stallone wears the showy boots featuring tassels and a Nike swoosh in the opening montage of the 1982 film. Bids will begin at $100,000.
Heritage Auctions via AP 
Two rugs that are essential to the plot of “The Big Lebowski” are also up for sale: the one belonging to Jeff Bridges’ “The Dude” that is soiled at the beginning of the 1998 film that “really tied the room together,” and the other that he takes from his wealthy namesake. Bidding on them opens at $15,000 apiece.
“This auction represents the full spectrum of entertainment history, from Hollywood’s Golden Age to modern blockbuster cinema and the most influential moments in popular music,” Joe Maddalena, executive vice president of Heritage Auctions, said in a statement.
Many other items including a Paul Newman hockey jersey from “Slap Shot,” a necklace worn by the title character in “The Bride of Frankenstein” and the inflatable “Otto the Autopilot” from “Airplane” will be up for auction.