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An Imperial stormtrooper helmet from Richard Marquand's Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Imperial stormtroopers wore their standard-issue helmets throughout the film as they served the Galactic Empire, notably during the climactic Battle of Endor. Stormtroopers now rank among the most recognizable movie characters of all time.

It is estimated that only around 50 helmets were produced for Return of the Jedi, with slight modifications and a somewhat more flattened appearance than the designs seen in the previous two films. This helmet was originally discovered in 1989 at a garage sale in Florida, and then brought back to the UK. Prior to the 1989 purchase, it had been painted twice, first in black and then in white. It has since been professionally restored, with the added paint layers carefully removed. The process of removing the outer layers resulted in minor scratching to the surface. Small traces of the previously added paint are still visible in certain crevices and on some areas of the main surface, as can be seen in the photos.

The majority of elements on the helmet are original and unaltered. The main body of the helmet is constructed from vacuum-formed ABS plastic. The chin and mouth vent are finished in original black paint, as is the remaining paint on the ears. A black rubber trim runs along the brow and around the neck opening. Both the lenses and the various decals around the cheeks, temples, and back of the head are replacements, but the base helmet, all rubber trim, mic tips, interior liner, and chinstrap are original.

The helmet's interior features an elastic chinstrap and a plastic climbing helmet liner. "S. Burleigh" is handwritten in red ink inside the left cheek. The consignor tracked down Samuel Burleigh-an uncredited stormtrooper on the production-in 2020 and reunited him with the helmet; he subsequently autographed the interior in blue ink, along with the date "11-March 2020." Interestingly, Burleigh's sister Mercedes appeared in The Empire Strikes Back as a control room assistant on Hoth.

The helmet exhibits wear from both production use and storage. The chinstrap has frayed and stretched due to age, and the rubber trim has cracked slightly. It also exhibits scuffs, scratches, and paint wear on the exterior of the helmet. Still, this is a great example of a film-used stormtrooper helmet with a fascinating history behind it.

Estimate: $150,000 - 300,000

View all lots from STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

View all lots from STAR WARS - ALL ITEMS

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