Han Solo’s ‘Star Wars’ blaster sells for $550,000 at Julien’s Auctions

LOS ANGELES – Han Solo’s BlasTech DL-44 blaster from the Star Wars trilogy film Return of the Jedi (Lucasfilm, 1983) sold for $550,000 at Julien’s Auctions’ Hollywood Legends auction on Saturday, June 23, in Las Vegas. The buyer was Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

The blaster was part of a collection from the film’s art director, James L. Schoppe, who was present at the auction.

Other original production used props and memorabilia sold were an original production used BlasTech EC-17 hold-out blaster used by the Imperial Scout Trooper that sold for $90,625 well over its estimate: $20,000-$30,000, and an Ewok ax prop weapon that sold for $11,250 over its estimate: $8,000-$10,000.

Another top auction highlight included an original and rare full Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman III that sold for an incredible $200,000, well over its original estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Full costumes with the cape, belts and boots are the most difficult pieces to find and this ensemble included all of the components and was designed to the “Evil Superman” scene requirements.

Several vehicles driven by some of Hollywood’s biggest icons revved up the auction block including Elvis Presley’s 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SEL that sold for $187,000, The Fonz’s 1949 Triumph Trophy TR500 motorcycle that was used in the production of Happy Days, which sold for  $179,200, and a 1987 army-green Harley Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic owned by Arnold Schwarzenegger that sold for $38,4000 and more.

A remarkable collection of personal items and ephemera from screen goddess Marilyn Monroe lit up the auction stage, including Monroe’s black wool dress that sold for $50,000, where 100 percent of the sale profits will benefit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation; a vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe signed “To Buddy/ It’s a pleasure to work with you/ Marilyn Monroe,” which sold for an astounding $44,800 more than 10 times its original estimate $4,000-$6,000; her black lace padded bustier labeled “Jantzen, original Curvallue, 36B,” that sold for $28,800, more than four times its starting estimate of $6,000; and an ivory silk Castillo for Jeanne Lanvin circa 1950s gown owned by Monroe that sold for $35,200.

Donald Trump’s The Apprentice boardroom table sold for $32,000 (estimate: $10,000-$20,000), a tuxedo worn by Frank Sinatra sold for $22,400; and a bamboo cane owned and used by Charlie Chaplin while working at Mack Sennett’s Keystone Studios sold for $16,000.

Cake slices from the royal weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton (estimate $600-$800) and of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (estimate: $800-$1,200) each sold for $1,920.