Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, March 25th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 4:30 PM (GMT) 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 26th or Friday, March 27th.

A light-up R3-series astromech droid head from Irvin Kershner's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. R3-series droids were distinguished by their unique heads, which featured translucent domes with visible internal mechanics. At least one clear-domed "R3" astromech was seen in the original A New Hope, but the new R3 droid heads were built for Empire Strikes Back. Multiple styles of clear R3 domes are seen, but it isn't known whether each one was actually a unique build, or if these were the same domes with the panels on the clear shell repainted. This head was built specifically for The Empire Strikes Back and was one of two, or possibly three, R3-series droids created for the film, each having subtle variations in color scheme and detail. The droids appeared in sequence within the Rebel Alliance's Hoth base. After Empire Strikes Back, two of the clear-domed R3 droids (one blue interior, one green interior) were re-purposed for use on the rebel briefing set in Return of the Jedi. This one was refinished with blue exterior panels, and was placed on the far side from the set's entry doorway. In Jedi, this droid was not visible in the fnial film and is only briefly glimpsed in production photos; the other green-interior R3 droid was seen on film in the rebel briefing set.

This dome features blue internal hardware (assembled from found real-world hardware); two different panel configurations can be seen on blue-interior R3 droids in the the Empire Strikes Back. This head is one of those two, or possibly both of them if they were redressed. The mechanical interior of this droid head was assembled from real-world industrial scrap components, model kit parts, and other found objects-a technique used for prop building throughout the original Star Wars trilogy. It is cosmetic only and has no functionality. The dome was vacuum-formed from clear plastic with debossed panels. A small incandescent light was installed in the interior of the head, and the exterior dome was dressed with greeblies.

The translucent dome of this droid head was damaged after production and a few sections of the original hemisphere were lost. The original dome has been restored with a smooth vac-form clear dome components, and the cracks glued, though the dome remains delicate.

The original dome exhibits residue and tarnishing from previously applied adhesives and pinline graphics; these now-removed pinlines may have been installed for the production of Return of the Jedi or may have been applied at some point after. It has recently been restored again to more accurately match the original ESB R3 droid look, with accurate 3-D printed greeblies on the dome exterior and an accurate yellow panel paint scheme. Some panels still retain a dark blue hue from having been painted blue for Return of the Jedi. All of the interior components of the head remain original and unrestored. The droid features its original wooden base, through which wires exit underneath to connect to an external power source for the incandescent light illumination. The chrome tape on the base edge is original.

The dome shell is very delicate with several prominent cracks throughout and should be handled with caution. Dimensions: 18" x 17" x 15" (45.75 cm x 43.25 cm x 38 cm)

Contains electronic and mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Estimate: $30,000 - 60,000