"Star Wars" was once again in the highest demand at Heritage's Hollywood auction last week.
A screen-matched Y-Wing starfighter from "A New Hope" (1977) sold for $1.55 million, while Princess Leia's bikini, worn by Carrie Fisher, in "Return of the Jedi" (1983) sold for $175,000.
The Y-wing is now the third-most valuable Star Wars screen-used prop sold at auction, behind only the X-wing Heritage sold for $3.1 million in October and the R2-D2 that Heritage’s executive vice president Joe Maddalena sold for $2.76 million in 2017.
“I’ve said it repeatedly: Collectors’ desire to own a piece of Hollywood history remains intense and insatiable, and we take great pride and pleasure in sharing these indelible moments,” Maddalena said. “This auction proved that the summer blockbuster is alive and well at Heritage.”
The Hollywood auction realized nearly $6 million, thanks to the nearly 2,300 bidders who participated worldwide. It also conjured a new record for a single wand from the "Harry Potter: movie series, which sold for nearly $94,000."
Six statuettes from Academy Awards winners, won before the Academy prohibited the private sale of the trophies sold from $57,000 to $93,750.
Three items from the "Home Alone" franchise also did big numbers. Macaulay Culkin's used red sweater and beige pants sold for $47,500. His outfit from "Home Alone 2" sold for $42,500, and his toboggan from the original movie sold for $30,250.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct.com and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.