Items From The Original Star Wars Trilogy Will Be Up For Auction At Profiles in History’s “Drama, Action, Romance: The Hollywood Auction” December 15th and 16th

LOS ANGELES- DEC 7, 2012- Profiles in History, run by Joe Maddalena, is proud to announce that items from the original three Star Wars films will be up for auction at their December 15th and 16th, “Drama, Action, Romance: The Hollywood Auction.” Selected items from the upcoming auction are detailed below.

An original screen-used X-Wing Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. This amazing filming X-Wing Fighter miniature measures approx. 22 in. long x 18 in. wide. Exceedingly rare, this is the only painted and finished X-Wing Fighter that Profiles in History has encountered from the original 1977 Star Wars film. It is pictured above and expected to fetch $80,000 – $120,000.

An Imperial Royal Guard production-made helmet from Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. When the dark Emperor Palpatine arrives to confer with Darth Vader on timely topics such as Death Star II completion, and patience concerning the Luke Skywalker “problem,” he spares no expense in ceremony with his cordon of crimson-clad Imperial Royal Guards, mysteriously obscured inside highly stylized and streamlined helmets such as this beautiful production-made example, obtained directly from the production team at ILM. It is pictured below and expected to fetch $40,000 – $60,000.

Luke Skywalker’s stunt lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. This is Luke Skywalker’s weapon of choice during the epic final battle for his soul and the fate of the galaxy against Darth Vader and the Emperor aboard the Empire’s planet-destroying Death Star. This lightsaber was obtained from the estate of “Star Wars” model-maker Wesley Seeds, who worked on Return of the Jedi. It is expected to fetch $30,000 – $50,000.

A production made, Rebel Alliance pilot helmet from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. This production helmet was restored to hero finish and decoration and remains a handsome tribute to a rare artifact from the original trilogy. It is expected to fetch $20,000 – $30,000.

A screen used Scout Trooper Blaster with production made holster from Star Wars: Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. First appearing in Return of the Jedi, Scout Troopers are seen on Endor, battling Luke and Leia on speeder bikes, and this is where we get our best look at this special small blaster and holster created just for Scout Troopers’ bulky gloved hands. This comes directly from an ILM effects production team and is expected to fetch $10,000 – $15,000.

A rejected Yoda head made for production by Industrial Light & Magic. This is a piece of Star Wars history. Consisting of a “Yoda” head or “skin” of the sort that was affixed over internal animatronic mechanisms, eyes and teeth for animating this beloved character. Created to rebuild the original Yoda for George Lucas, it was rejected due to minor bubbles in the face. It is expected to fetch $4,000 – $6,000.

ABOUT PROFILES IN HISTORY
Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the world’s largest auctioneer & dealer of original Hollywood Memorabilia, historical autographs, letters, documents, vintage signed photographs and manuscripts. Born into a family of antiques dealers in Rhode Island, Joseph “Joe” Maddalena learned early on how to turn his passion of collecting historical autographs into a career. Upon graduation from Pepperdine, Joe pursued his passion to become a full-time dealer of historical documents, and opened his first office in 1985. Profiles in History has held some of the most prestigious and successful auctions of Hollywood memorabilia and own virtually every Guinness Book record for prices of original screen-used memorabilia.  Highlights from their previous auctions include the “Cowardly Lion” costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); Steve McQueen’s “Michael Delaney” racing suit from Le Mans  ($960,000); From the history-making Debbie Reynolds Auction in June 2011, Profiles in History sold the Marilyn Monroe “Subway” Dress from The Seven Year Itch for $5.52M and the Audrey Hepburn Ascot Dress from My Fair Lady for $4.44M. In February 2012, Profiles in History arranged the sale of a pair of Judy Garland screen-used Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz  to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. In addition, Joe Maddalena is the star of Hollywood Treasure, which just ended its second season on Syfy.  Hollywood Treasure takes viewers into the fascinating world of showbiz and pop culture memorabilia. For more information visit www.profilesinhistory.com