A major collection of screen-used Star Wars memorabilia is heading to auction this November, with rare props currently on display in Tokyo ahead of the sale. At the center of the upcoming Star Wars auction is a screen-matched Darth Vader lightsaber used during The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The prop previously sold for $3.6 million, and Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena believes it could reach another record when bidding begins.

And Vader’s lightsaber is really only the beginning,  the collection brings together dozens of lightsabers alongside costumes, set pieces, and other memorabilia connected to a galaxy far, far away.

Darth Vader’s $3.6 Million Lightsaber Returns to Auction

Few movie props are as instantly recognizable as a lightsaber, but this one comes with some serious Star Wars history.

According to Maddalena, the Darth Vader lightsaber was used in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and is the only known example they have specifically screen-matched to the films. The prop last sold for $3.6 million in 2025.

For Maddalena, hee remembers being 16 years old when the original Star Wars arrived in theaters and experiencing something unlike anything he had seen before. Decades later, he described holding a piece recognized and loved by fans around the world as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The Vader saber was briefly the auction record holder for a screen-used Star Wars prop before Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from the Cloud City duel sold through Heritage for $3.75 million in July 2026. Now Vader gets another shot, with Maddalena hoping its appearance in the November Star Wars auction will establish another world record.

The Auction Includes 40 Lightsabers and Hundreds of Star Wars Props

One legendary lightsaber would be enough to get collectors talking, however this auction is expected to have 40.

Maddalena says the November event will feature 40 lightsabers and hundreds of pieces of Star Wars memorabilia, including costumes and set pieces. The Tokyo exhibition also features a helmet from The Mandalorian and other production-used pieces from across the franchise.

Among Maddalena’s personal favorites are pieces connected to Ray Park’s Darth Maul from The Phantom Menace. The physical polycarbonate fighting blades used during the lightsaber choreography still show marks from the on-set clashes. These blades allowed the actors to physically fight during filming before the familiar glowing lightsaber effects were added in post-production.

There are pieces from later Star Wars productions too, including Rogue One, so with so much material coming together in one sale, Maddalena expects the event to become the highest-grossing Star Wars auction ever.

Buy and Sell Star Wars Collectibles on VeVe

Star Wars collecting has taken countless forms over the decades. Original movie props, action figures, toys, comics, statues, cards, and more have all given fans ways to bring a piece of the galaxy into their collections.

On VeVe, that experience extends into the digital world with officially licensed Star Wars digital collectibles. Discover characters, vehicles, and memorable pieces from across the Star Wars universe in 3D, bring collectibles into your surroundings with augmented reality, and create virtual spaces to display your favorites.

Collectors can also buy and sell Star Wars collectibles with other collectors through the VeVe Marketplace.

Ready to explore the galaxy? Sign up for VeVe and discover Star Wars digital collectibles inspired by the characters and stories you love.