Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, March 26th. The auction will begin at 10:30AM PDT and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, March 27th or Friday, March 28th.

"Leia is dressed in a long white dress and is staggeringly beautiful. She rises and places a gold medallion around Han's neck. He winks at her. She then repeats the ceremony with Luke, who is moved by the event." - From (Saga I) STAR WARS, Fourth Draft Screenplay, January 1, 1976

Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) screen- and photo-matched Medal of Yavin from George Lucas' Star Wars: A New Hope. After the successful destruction of the Death Star, Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and the Rebel Alliance gathered in the throne room of the Grand Temple on Yavin IV to award Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) medals for their roles in the film's climactic battle. The final scene of the original Star Wars film, played exclusively with John Williams' iconic The Throne Room march and without any dialog, is as memorable as any scene across the entire saga.

The medal was an original design for the film and is made from cast resin with a gold-leaf finish that is reflective under direct lighting. The olive green cotton strap is fastened to the top of the piece with small screws, and the strap is stitched onto itself on the reverse side to hide the attaching screws.

Only two prop medals are believed to have been created for and used in filming. Weathering in the upper corner of this medal screen-matches to a shot of Hamill wearing it, as does the specific profile of the medal's edge. The medal worn by Ford in the film has distinctly different weathering; Ford's medal, as worn in the film, is held in a private collection today. This medal, while worn by Hamill in the film, was also worn by Ford in a behind-the-scenes production photo, as evidenced by specific markings and weathering. The matching Ford still is part of a series of behind-the-scenes photos taken during production that show the principal actors rehearsing and having fun in preparation for this scene. It is therefore understood that the medal props were used interchangeably by the performers during rehearsals and the final film. As they were nearly indistinguishable outside of their specific weathering, continuity with regard to which prop medal was presented to which character was not consistent.

This medal originates from the collection of prop man Gerard Bourke. This and Harrison Ford's medal, held in a private collection, are the only two examples of this prop known to exist and presumably the only two made for the film. This is the first and only medal to be offered for public sale.

Luke Skywalker's throne room ceremony medal is an incredibly significant Star Wars prop. Presented in the climactic scene and among the very final images in the seminal original film, the medal is a memorable piece of cinema history and its image is well-known to Star Wars fans across the globe. In later years, the official canon dubbed it the Medal of Yavin or the Medal of Bravery. Considered globally to be a touchstone of modern entertainment, the sequence - and A New Hope more generally - has inspired generations of youth.

Now approaching its 50th anniversary, Star Wars remains as beloved as ever, with the Skywalker story remaining the key center-point of the saga. Like the film itself, Mark Hamill is a legendary part of Hollywood history. Over the course of his career, he has earned an Emmy®, a BAFTA®, and multiple Saturn Awards®, including three for his portrayal of Skywalker. In 2018, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his impact on popular culture.

Principal character props and costumes from the original trilogy are exceptionally rare and sought after. This is one of only a handful of Luke Skywalker-specific pieces known to exist today from the original film, and is preserved in excellent condition, exhibiting only minimal scuffing to the gold leaf and general aging. Dimensions: 19.5" x 3.5" x 0.5" (49.5 cm x 9 cm x 1.5 cm)

Estimate: $300,000 - 600,000