Hollywood memorabilia auction nets $7.8M

CALABASAS, Calif., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Profiles in History says it has sold a world record-setting $7.8 million worth of Hollywood memorabilia in a four-day auction marathon.

The event broke the record of $7.1 million in sales set by Christie's during its 2006 "Star Trek" sale.

Among the 500 items Profiles sold Dec. 11, the first day of its auction marathon, were Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker light saber from "Star Wars," which went for $240,000; an original "C-3PO" droid helmet worn by Anthony Daniels in "Return of the Jedi," which sold for $120,000; a full-sized animatronic "Joe" from "Mighty Joe Young," which sold for $96,000; a British first edition copy of the novel "You Only Live Twice" inscribed by author Ian Fleming to the inspiration for his James Bond character, which went for $84,000; a custom-built German staff car from "Raiders of the Lost Ark," which sold for $72,000 and Marlon Brando's complete signature "Jor-El" costume from "Superman: The Movie," which went for $72,000.

The dealer also auctioned off costumes, movie posters, scripts, portraits, movie stills, lobby cards, fan magazines, press books and other miscellaneous items during a three-day liquidation of the inventory of Collectors Book Store in Hollywood last weekend.

"In this troubled economy, collectors recognize the potential and the opportunity to invest in tangible assets such as Hollywood memorabilia, which have historically proven to be safe long-term investments," Joe Maddalena, president and chief executive officer of Profiles in History, said in a statement Tuesday.