Darth Vader lightsaber from 'I am your father' duel to go to auction with estimate of $1m
Heritage Auctions will sell a lightsaber used by Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, with an estimate of at least $1m, alongside more than two dozen other lightsaber props and Star Wars memorabilia.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 1A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the duel where he tells Luke Skywalker "I am your father" is going up for sale at Heritage Auctions. The GuardianLC “A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the duel where he tells Luke Skywalker “I am your father” is going up for sale at Heritage Auctions next month.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Mixed · 2The saber, which was also used in Return of the Jedi, is expected to fetch at least $1m. The GuardianLC “The Vader saber, also used in Return of the Jedi, is expected to fetch at least $1m.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Gulf NewsN “with an estimate starting at $1 million” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Gulf News, citing the Associated Press, says it will be offered at Heritage's Ultimate Star Wars Auction on 12 November, when bidding opens. Gulf NewsN “Heritage Auctions will offer it at its Ultimate Star Wars Auction on November 12”“Bidding opens November 12.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Left · 1It is one of more than two dozen lightsaber props in a sale spanning Star Wars Episodes I to IX and other films and TV shows set in George Lucas's universe. The GuardianLC “more than two dozen lightsaber props that will be up for sale at the auction that spans Star Wars Episodes I through IX” Read at The Guardian ↗ Mixed · 2The dueling lightsabers wielded by Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith are each expected to sell for at least $10,000. The GuardianLC “expected to go for at least $10,000 apiece” Read at The Guardian ↗ Gulf NewsN “are each expected to sell for $10,000 or more” Read at Gulf News ↗ Left · 1Other lots include Boba Fett's EE-3 carbine blaster from The Empire Strikes Back, estimated at more than $100,000, a Yoda puppet hand used by Frank Oz, Anthony Daniels' signed third-draft screenplay for the 1977 original, and a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from Rogue One. The GuardianLC “An EE-3 carbine blaster wielded by Boba Fett throughout The Empire Strikes Back is estimated to bring in more than $100,000.”“a TIE Fighter pilot helmet from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” Read at The Guardian ↗
Mixed · 2In July, a lightsaber with Luke Skywalker's severed hand from The Empire Strikes Back sold for $3.75m, which the auction house said was the highest price ever paid for a prop from a Star Wars film. The GuardianLC “sold for $3.75m at auction, the highest price ever fetched for a prop used in a Star Wars film according to the auction house” Read at The Guardian ↗ Gulf NewsN “The auction house called that the highest price ever paid for a prop from a Star Wars film.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left2 outlets
- Framing
- AP copy carried by the Guardian: a concise, straight report of the sale, its estimates and lots.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not give the auction date.
- For example
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“Saber is expected to fetch at least $1m and is one of more than two dozen props that will be up for sale” — The Guardian
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Gulf News gives a light, humorous take built on the father-and-son theme, adding the 12 November date and a lot list.
- Emphasis
- Wordplay, the father/son parallel with Luke's saber and the price gap with the prequel sabers.
- Charged language
- “May the Force, and a healthy credit limit, be with you”
- For example
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“Family reunions are always awkward. This one has a price tag.” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Heritage Auctions is selling the Vader lightsaber from the Empire Strikes Back duel, also used in Return of the Jedi.
- The estimate is at least $1m.
- The sale includes more than two dozen lightsaber props, plus a Boba Fett blaster estimated above $100,000.
- Luke Skywalker's lightsaber sold for $3.75m in July, a record for a Star Wars prop according to the auction house.
Heritage Auctions organisation
Heritage Auctions is offering the Vader saber and other props, and says Luke's saber sold in July for the highest price ever for a Star Wars prop.
“the highest price ever fetched for a prop used in a Star Wars film according to the auction house” — The Guardian
Left2 articles
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The GuardianLC · · via AP
Lightsaber Darth Vader used in ‘I am your father’ Star Wars duel up for auction
Neutral AP wire report presenting the estimate, comparison sale and other lots plainly.
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Centre1 article
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Star Wars auction: Vader’s original lightsaber could fetch $1M, Boba Fett blaster up for sale
Celebratory Playful, pun-heavy rewrite of AP reporting with added date and a shopping-guide style list of lots.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 9 Oct 14:36 First The GuardianLC Lightsaber Darth Vader used in ‘I am your father’ Star Wars duel up for auction via AP
- 9 Oct 15:46 +1h 11m Gulf NewsN Star Wars auction: Vader’s original lightsaber could fetch $1M, Boba Fett blaster up for sale
- 9 Oct 16:34 +1h 58m CBS NewsLC "Star Wars" lightsaber used in "I am your father" duel could sell for $1 million
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.