A movie relic believed to be lost is now for sale. As far as entertainment memorabilia goes, this lot might become the number one item sold in 2023. Prop Store will offer the white ceremonial dress worn by Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in the 1977 Star Wars classic Episode IV - A New Hope at auction on 28 June.
See also: Inside the World of Star Wars Collecting
The beginning of the 20th century was the start of the movie industry as we know it today. Gradually, when interest in cinema increased, more money was involved, and the popularity grew even more when the productions developed. At that stage, the interest in collecting movie memorabilia was somewhat small. Autographs, handbills, and posters were what collectors looked for. Today, it is a completely different scene. Collectors want items that can be seen on the screen, resulting in impressive million-dollar sales.
Princess Leia's Iconic Dress
With offices in London and Los Angeles, Prop Store has established itself as one of the world’s very best sources for movie memorabilia. Stephen Lane, the founder of Prop Store, is a veteran of the industry. He, and the rest of us, assumed that the Princess Leia dress was forever lost. “Collectors had been searching for nearly 40 years, and everyone had come to the conclusion that it didn't exist anymore. No one had found any Princess Leia costumes," says Stephen. He continues, "But then I went to meet this former crew member, and hanging on the back of a door in his office was this ratty old plastic bag – and balled up in the bottom of the plastic bag was the dress. It was in really poor condition but instantly recognisable, because of the belt. When I was first told about the dress, I simply couldn't believe it. I've been collecting for 30 years, and I think it's one of the most exciting finds of my career."
See also: The 6 Most Expensive Film Costumes Sold At Auction
Made with beautiful, lightweight cream silk fabric, the dress is highly synonymous with Star Wars, and it is arguably one of the world’s most famous movie costumes of all time. The dress has been photo-matched with the movie, and there is no doubt of its authenticity. Prop Store has put a high estimate of $2 million, which would be a total of $2.5 million, including the buyer’s premium. However, the dress is expected to sell for even more.
Star Wars Auction Results
Prop Store have sold many impressive Star Wars items over the years. One example is the original screen-matched 'Red Leader' X-wing Starfighter model, featured in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, which sold for $2.375 million. They have also sold TIE fighter pilot helmets from the same movie, one of which sold for above $200,000. The most expensive Star Wars memorabilia, however, was sold by Profiles in History (now owned by Heritage Auctions) – a complete 'R2-D2' unit that sold for $2.76 million. The same auction house also sold Darth Vader’s screen-used mask and helmet for over $1.1 million.
See also: History's 6 Most Popular Movie Posters
The Most Expensive Movie Memorabilia Ever Sold at Auction
As with everything, the value is always based on two factors – supply and demand. In terms of high-end movie memorabilia, the supply is somewhat low and the demand is high, hence the prices. Looking at the most expensive movie memorabilia ever sold, there is no surprise to see iconic props from classic movies, such as Aragon’s sword from The Lord of the Rings that sold for $437,000; The Lion costume ($3.07 million) and Judy Garland’s famous ruby slippers ($660,000), both from the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz; Sam’s piano from Casablanca that sold for $3.4 million; The Maltese Falcon (from the movie with the same name) went for $4.1 million; Robby the Robot from 1950s classics Forbidden Planet and The Invisible Boy sold for $5.37 million; and James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger sold for the record amount of $6.385 million.
See also: Worth Millions: Behind the Appeal of Celebrity Memorabilia
Princess Leia’s ceremonial dress from Star Wars: Classic Episode IV – A New Hope will become yet another screen-worn dress that sells in the millions. Notably, the other two examples of million-dollar dresses are also white. In 2011, Audrey Hepburn’s ascot dress from My Fair Lady sold for the impressive amount of $3.7 million.
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In the same year, Marilyn Monroe’s 'subway dress' from The Seven Year Itch was hammered at $4.6 million, including buyer’s premium. Will the Princess Leia dress beat those staggering numbers? It’s not impossible.