LOS ANGELES: A Darth Vader costume created in 1979 by the <i>Star Wars</i> design team is expected to sell for up to US$2 million at an auction of classic movie memorabilia next month, according to the auction house Bonhams.
The costume is being offered for sale by a man who made appearances as one of the most iconic villains in popular culture at film premieres and fan conventions.
The 17-piece ensemble includes a black mask, boots, a pair of capes and a codpiece, said the auctioneers, who estimated it could sell for between $1 million and $2 million.
The seller is Bryce “Kermit” Eller, whose deep voice helped him land a job making public appearances as Vader at premieres, book signings, conventions and the 1978 Academy Awards.
The costume going up for auction is one of a handful of Vader outfits produced in 1979 by the team of Star Wars costume designer John Mollo in London for the movie The Empire Strikes Back, Bonhams said. It is unclear if any of the pieces were used on screen before they were given to Eller.
The components are made from leather, wool, silk, fibreglass and other materials, Eller said in an interview.
“It’s really, really hot,” he said. “You’ve got multiple layers. It takes about 25 minutes to put it on, and you’ve got to have assistance.”
In fact, Eller said he once fainted after wearing the costume for hours and becoming dehydrated. Paramedics came to his assistance and wanted to cut it off. “I said ‘absolutely not. I’ll heal. The costume won’t.’”
The outfit will be part of a public exhibition staged by Turner Classic Movies starting on May 4 before going on sale on May 14.
Props and costumes from Star Wars, one of the most popular film franchises in history, have fetched high prices at auction.
In 2017, a complete R2-D2 droid used in the first, 1977 Star Wars movie sold for $2.76 million, and a lightsabre used by hero Luke Skywalker fetched $450,000.