This lot will be auctioned on Thursday, December 9th. The auction will begin at 2:00pm 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 December 8th.

Josh Kirby's original signed hand-painted artwork for Irvin Kershner’s "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back". This portrait format piece is rendered in water colour, acrylic and gouache on Colyer & Southey CS2 Fashion Board and was commissioned by the advertising agency Feref (Kirby worked as a freelance artist for them) who had the contract to provide campaign artwork designs for Lucasfilm on the sequel. Kirby met the studio's remits with the inclusion of Han and Leia ("Gone with the Wind"-style); Bespin the Cloud City; Luke astride a Taun Taun,;the new character of Lando Calrissian; and, of course, Darth Vader. The inclusion of Vader was important as he was last seen spinning off into outer space at the end of "Star Wars" and in the years between productions had become so popular and integral to the series his return was guaranteed and the cinema going audience had to be made aware of this. Sadly for Kirby, the studio decided against this concept for the campaign and chose those of Tom Jung and Roger Kastel, but it must have been a close decision for such a detailed painting to be completed for consideration. Signed "Kirby" beneath R2-D2, the silver title logo is a loosely applied snipe. Stored for a number of years and never displayed the artwork remains in excellent condition with an amazing vibrant look and freshness. A rare opputunity to acquire a piece of original Star Wars artwork and, although unpublished, Kirby's work didn't go unrewarded as he was retained for "Return of the Jedi" (1983) where his designs were used as part of the main British marketing campaign. NOTE: Also available in the sale as part of the Feref Archive Collection is the Feref negative and Proof Print for this artwork.

21" x 31" (54 x 79 cm)

Additional Information: Please note that this lot is sold without copyright or reproduction rights.

Condition: Excellent

Strong unfaded colours and presented in excellent original condition.

Artist: Josh Kirby

£6000 - 8000

VAT Status: M AR