Original 1980 Darth Vader Costume Goes Up for Auction

Affluent Star Wars superfans might just go steel cage death match with each other to win this original and complete Darth Vader costume used in The Empire Strikes Back/Star Wars Episode V movie from Twentieth Century-Fox. Yep, it’s the real deal, made by Elstree Studios in London, and it likely still has Dave Prowse’s sweat stains on the inside, as well as Kermit Eller’s, who wore the suit in personal appearances and who retained this full set for almost three decades until now. Bonhams will put up this rare full costume on May 14th, and it’s essentially a Star Wars devotee’s ultimate wet dream. The costume comes with everything, including the two-piece face mask and dome helmet we all know so well, full torso and pants, gloves, inner and outer capes, belt, and boots, just to name a few. And it all comes in two travel cases so you can show off to your friends overseas. The suit is of unquestionable provenance and may even command more than its expected $2 million price tag, especially since the popularity of the new Star Wars films have reached stratospheric heights and much lesser Star Wars paraphernalia have garnered top dollar at auction. Now, where to buy a 6’6” glass display case.