• Darth Vader's lightsaber sells for over $3.6 million at auction.
• The auction took place in Los Angeles with 31 bids placed.
• This sale marks the highest-priced Star Wars item ever auctioned.
• The lightsaber was used in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
• Propstore describes it as a culturally significant piece of film history.

A lightsaber used by Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films has sold for over $3.6 million at a recent Los Angeles auction, marking it as the most expensive piece of Star Wars memorabilia to date. This auction, hosted by Propstore, attracted a total of 31 bids, with the winning bid reaching $3,654,000. Initially, this iconic prop was estimated to fetch between $1 million and $3 million, showcasing its immense value to collectors, according to CBS News, BBC, and The Hill.

The lightsaber was prominently featured during duel scenes in the films "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," and is described as one of the most recognizable and significant props in cinematic history. Brandon Alinger, Propstore's chief operating officer, emphasized its impact, stating, "To see a Star Wars lightsaber—the symbol of one of cinema's greatest sagas—become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special," according to CBS News and BBC.

During the auction event, which is part of a larger collection of over 1,000 items including Hollywood costumes and props, the lightsaber emerged as a standout piece. Propstore noted that it is made from a 1950s camera flash bulb attachment that was modified for the film, showcasing signs of wear that attest to its authenticity as a film-used prop. The tremendous final price illustrates the lightsaber's significance in modern mythology, according to CBS News, BBC, and The Hill.