Luke Skywalker's 'Empire Strikes Back' lightsaber with severed hand sells for record $3.75 million

A lightsaber wielded by Luke Skywalker in the iconic "Star Wars" sequel, "The Empire Strikes Back," has shattered previous records, selling for an astonishing $3.75 million at a recent auction. The prop, which famously included a severed hand attached, was sold by Heritage Auctions as part of its Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction.

This sale marks a significant milestone, establishing a new benchmark as the highest price ever achieved for a prop originating from a "Star Wars" film. The lightsaber was used onscreen by actor Mark Hamill during the climactic Cloud City duel, a pivotal scene where Darth Vader famously reveals, "I am your father."

The auction featured a collection of highly sought-after cinematic memorabilia. Among the notable items was a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz," which fetched $550,000. Gene Wilder's cocoa-colored top hat from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971) sold for $350,000.

Further adding to the auction's excitement, Daenerys Targaryen's chest containing dragon eggs from the first season of "Game of Thrones" brought in $312,500. Additionally, two distinctive rugs from the Coen brothers' cult film "The Big Lebowski" also commanded high prices. The Dude's signature soiled rug, which "really tied the room together," sold for $350,000, while the more pristine rug taken from his wealthy namesake achieved an even higher price of $375,000, far exceeding initial bidding expectations that started at $15,000 each.