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The painting that introduced 'Star Wars' to the world fetches $3.9M at auction
The painting broke records with a $3.875 million sale, surpassing previous franchise memorabilia prices and reflecting strong demand for rare Star Wars artifacts.
- On Wednesday, Heritage Auctions in Dallas sold Tom Jung's original painting for $3.875 million, consigned by the Kurtz family with bidding starting at $1,000,000.
- On May 13, 1977, the acrylic and airbrush painting first appeared in newspaper ads and was widely reproduced on billboards, magazine ads and theater programs, Heritage Auctions said.
- The painting's composition shows R2-D2 and C-3PO added at the last minute; one side depicts Luke Skywalker holding a lightsaber behind Princess Leia, the other an X-wing attack with Darth Vader and Han Solo receiving medals.
- The sale reset records for the highest-selling Star Wars memorabilia and movie poster artwork, Heritage Auctions said, surpassing the prior $3.6 million record for Darth Vader's lightsaber as collectors and fans drove demand.
- As a long-running franchise, Star Wars since 1977 and its sequels and offshoots enlarged demand for collectibles, Charles Epting said the painting's evolution shows why it became a cultural touchstone.
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A painting just surpassed Darth Vader’s lightsabre as the most expensive ‘Star Wars’ item sold at auction
The original 1977 artwork created by illustrator Tom Jung for “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope” set a new auction record.
·Hamilton, Canada
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An original Star Wars movie poster, designed by Tom Jung, recently sold for a record-breaking €3.3 million, surpassing the price of a lightsaber and setting the record for the most expensive piece of memorabilia from the franchise.
Almost 50 years ago, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader introduced it to the world. Now, the first »Star Wars« painting at an auction reached almost four million dollars, far surpassing the previous record holder.
·Germany
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The image all enchanted in Dallas. It is the piece of the most paid saga ever
·Turin, Italy
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Total News Sources76
Leaning Left26Leaning Right6Center22Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 41%
11%
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