'Epic' Luke Skywalker lightsaber with severed hand rig heads to auction

A Luke Skywalker lightsaber with a severed hand prop, a Wicked Witch hat and handwritten John Lennon lyrics are among the Hollywood and music artifacts heading to auction in July.

Heritage Auctions previewed highlights from its Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction in New York on Friday (June 26), ahead of the sale online and in Dallas, Texas, scheduled for July 13-17.

Among the top lots is actor Mark Hamill’s screen-used Luke Skywalker lightsaber with severed hand effects rig from “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back,” with a starting bid of $1 million.

“It is an amazing example of a practical effect,” said Nikki Hale, manager of special projects at Heritage Auctions. “In the world of CGI, we don't always see props like this being made - again, 1980 - it's from the ultimate battle between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in the reactor.”

Darth Vader cuts off Luke Skywalker’s hand during the Cloud City duel near the end of “The Empire Strikes Back,” moments before the “No, I am your father” reveal.

Hale said the prop has never been offered publicly at auction.

Other items on display included Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West hat from “The Wizard of Oz,” with bidding starting at $100,000, and commemorative ruby slippers made by Western Costume for the film’s 50th anniversary.

The auction also features what Hale described as the largest collection of hoverboards in one space from “Back to the Future Part II,” with bids for individual boards starting between $25,000 and $100,000.

Additional lots include Gene Wilder’s photo-matched “Willy Wonka” top hat, currently bidding at $270,000, Elsa Lanchester’s Mary Shelley necklace from “Bride of Frankenstein,” and Lennon’s original manuscript lyrics for “If I Fell,” currently bidding around $600,000.

Camera, Production, Editing, Writing: Roselle Chen/Reuters