Bidding for this lot will end on Friday, December 5th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM GMT (7:00AM PST) 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 Saturday, December 6th or Sunday, December 7th.

A second unit insert clapperboard from Irvin Kershner's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The second unit, which filmed in tandem with the first unit, used clapperboards of this size for close-up or insert shots when larger, more cumbersome boards were too big for the camera frame.

The Empire Strikes Back remains a cultural landmark in cinema for its groundbreaking use of a cliffhanger ending; a sequel to build upon the narrative; for forging new story structures; developing new characters such as Yoda and Lando Calrissian that became fan favourites; introducing one of the greatest plot twists in history; and utilising a segment of improvised dialogue that became one of the most famous scenes and lines in film history. It has won 27 awards, including two Academy Awards, five Saturn Awards, and a Hugo Award among others, and was inducted into the United States Library of Congress for perseverance in 2010.

This clapperboard consists of a wood slate with a striped clapper and a metal hinge. It features the film's title, as well as remnants for the sections "SLATE" and "TAKE" on the front in white paint. The boxes for Slate and Take were wrapped in black tape, with the tape since removed from the Slate box. Across the bottom part of the slate is a length of off-white tape marked in black ink for the date "22nd May 1979" and "2nd Unit." The back of the clapperboard has an additional four strips of off-white tape. The clapperboard exhibits significant scuffing and chipping throughout the wood, as well as holes, a buildup of grime, adhesive residue, and discolouration. Dimensions: 16 cm x 20.5 cm x 2.5 cm (6.25" x 8" x 1")

A printed still of this lot is also included with its sale.

Estimate: £15,000 - 30,000 Ω

View all lots from STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

View all lots from STAR WARS - ALL ITEMS