May The Fourth Be With You: A History of Our Legendary Star Wars Auctions

May The Fourth Be With You: A History of Our Legendary Star Wars Auctions

Here at Auctioneum, May 4th isn't just a date on the calendar - it’s the day our saleroom transforms into a gateway to a galaxy far, far away. Over the years, we’ve had the immense honour of handling the personal archives of screen legends and international collectors, cementing our reputation as a premier destination for Star Wars fans worldwide.

As we look back at our journey, here are the landmark sales that have defined our "May the Fourth" tradition.

2020: Julian Glover – A Life On Screen

Our major foray into high-profile Star Wars estates began in 2020. Legendary British actor Julian Glover, who played General Veers in The Empire Strikes Back, decided on a "lockdown sort-out," and we were thrilled to help him share his history with fans all over the world. 

• The Highlights: The sale featured over 250 lots. A standout was Julian’s screen-worn rank insignia from The Empire Strikes Back, an incredibly rare piece of Imperial uniform.

• The Personal Touch: Beyond the props, the auction included his personal scripts and production material, giving fans a rare look behind the scenes of one of the greatest sequels ever made.

2021: The Estate of Dave Prowse (In Two Parts)

In 2021, we hosted perhaps our most emotional sale: The Estate of Dave Prowse. As a Bristol native, Dave was a local hero, and representing the man behind the mask of Darth Vader was a responsibility we didn’t take lightly.

• The "Secret" Script: The centerpiece was Dave’s personal rehearsal script from The Empire Strikes Back. Because the "I am your father" reveal was a guarded secret, the script contained alternate dialogue. It remains one of the most unique pieces of cinematic history we have ever sold.

• A Galactic Success: From pieces of the Millennium Falcon cockpit to his personal Vader mask, the auction was a global sensation, raising significant funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

• Records Broken: Several items in the sale broke saleroom records. The live broadcast of the auction was watched by record-breaking numbers of bidders all over the world and prior to the sale, publicity took the world by storm with franchise actors Mark Hamill and Samuel L. Jackson helping promote the event on their social media accounts. 

2022 & 2023: The Estate of Jeremy Bulloch (In Two Parts)

The following year, we transitioned from the Dark Lord to the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter. The estate of Jeremy Bulloch, the original Boba Fett, was a highlight of 2022.

• The Bounty: The star of the show was a life-sized Boba Fett statue that had famously stood in Jeremy’s home. It sold for a cool £15,000.

• Unseen Footage: We were also privileged to sell two reels of unseen 16mm production footage from the set of Return of the Jedi, with proceeds supporting Parkinson’s UK.

2025: The Stephen Merchant Collection

Last year, we welcomed another Bristol legend. Comedian and actor Stephen Merchant entrusted us with his childhood Star Wars collection to raise money for Ashton Park School.

• Childhood Treasures: Stephen’s original Kenner Millennium Falcon, kept in remarkable condition since the 1970s, helped the collection smash its estimates to raise over £5,000.

Our Annual Tradition: More Than Just Estates

While our celebrity auctions grab the headlines, our Star Wars auctions are a work of passion. From Vinyl Caped Jawas and the "Last 17" figures to rare autographs from Sir Alec Guinness and Carrie Fisher, we take pride in offering pieces that span the entire history of the saga.

...and it's not just May the 4th! We hold several Star Wars themed auctions every year. From single-owner collections of vintage carded figures, to themed sales of Star Wars merchandise. 

Whether you're looking to sell a lifelong collection or find that final piece for your display, our doors are always open. We look forward to seeing you at our next sale - and as always, May The Force Be With You!