Star Wars Darth Vader costume from The Empire Strikes Back is expected to fetch $1-2 MILLION at auction
He's possibly the most iconic villain of the twentieth century to grace the silver screen.
Now one of Darth Vader's costumes from The Empire Strikes Back is set to hit the auction block on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The suit, which is complete and in remarkable condition, is expected to sell for $1-2 million at auction as part of the Wonders of the Galaxy show, presented by the classic film channel TCM.
Major payday: One of the Darth Vader suits made for 1980's The Empire Strikes Back will be auctioned off in LA on Tuesday for an expected $1-2 million
The suit, first created for the 1980 sequel, will be auctioned May 14 at the LA-based Bonhams auction house.
The outfit has been on display to the public since Saturday, May 4 (known as Star Wars Day to fans).
Though it might look like a simple costume with an added helmet, the outfit features 17 different pieces, all of which are present and in excellent condition.
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Most movie props are built quickly and cheaply, so its quite unusual for something to have survived this long.
'Darth Vader is one of the most recognizable and infamous characters in the history of film and we are excited to offer this rare costume in our sale,' said Dr. Catherine Williamson, Director of Entertainment Memorabilia at Bonhams, in a statement. 'The suit’s completeness, remarkable condition, and excellent provenance make it a true rarity in the memorabilia marketplace.'
Intricate: Though it might look like a simple costume with an added helmet, the outfit features 17 different pieces, all of which are present and in excellent condition
Man behind the mask: The suit is currently owned by Bryce “Kermit” Eller, who began making public appearances as Darth Vader following 1977's original Star Wars
The suit is currently owned by Bryce “Kermit” Eller, who began making public appearances as Darth Vader following the 1977 success of the original Star Wars, later renamed Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope. (Bodybuilder David Prowse played Vader in the original trilogy.)
Eller would dress up as the Sith lord for everything from film premieres to children's events.
'Sometimes it was just going to a hospital and visiting sick kids,' said Eller. 'The hardest acting that I think I’ve ever had was to not feel long enough to be able to give them Darth Vader.'
He originally wore the single suit made for A New Hope by costume designer John Mollo, before being given one of the multiple suits Mollo made for The Empire Strikes Back in 1979.
Eller's Vader suit has remained in his garage in two suitcases since ending his run of appearances in 1981.
Unlike the suit used in the 1977 original, Empire's Vader features a shorter snout and a shiny helmet and breastplate, as well as a different set of buttons and lights on the front of his suit.
Upgrade: He originally wore the single suit made for A New Hope by costume designer John Mollo, before being given one of the multiple suits Mollo made for The Empire Strikes Back in 1979
Locked away: Eller's Vader suit has remained in his garage in two suitcases since ending his run of appearances in 1981; still from The Empire Strikes Back
The suit is currently owned by Bryce “Kermit” Eller (pictured), who began making public appearances as Darth Vader following the 1977 success of the original Star Wars
In addition to the Vader suit, a number of items from the 1968 science fiction classic Planet Of The Apes are on sale, including posters, a background ape's mask, and a large fiberglass bust of The Lawgiver, the divine figure whose words and writing inspired the laws of the film's ape society.
Though it's not exactly science fiction, original James Bond items are also up for grabs at Tuesday's auction, including original posters for 1967's You Only Live Twice.
More on theme are a series of original advertisements for classic horror and science fiction films, including The Invisible Man (1933), Freaks (1932), The Mummy (1932) and Dracula (1931).
Divine ape: In addition to the Vader suit, a number of Planet Of The Apes items will be auctioned off, including this fiberglass bust from the 1968 original
Super spy: Though it's not exactly science fiction, original James Bond items are also up for grabs at Tuesday's auction, including original posters for 1967's You Only Live Twice
Vintage: More on theme are a series of original advertisements for classic horror and science fiction films, including The Invisible Man (1933), Freaks (1932), The Mummy (1932) and Dracula (1931)
