That is incredible! What a result. A big congrats to Profiles, too,
that's for sure.
And to read the description about how this particular R2D2 unit was
assembled from various other droid components made for a fascinating
read.
What a wonderful, iconic, SW piece to own.
On Jun 28, 2017, at 12:18 PM, Scott Burns wrote:
Wish I had cash like this laying around…(guess I’ll just stay with
collecting paper).
A complete R2D2 just sold for $2.3 million at the Profiles in
History movie memorabilia auction. Not being a prop collector, I
wonder is this price record setting?
From the catalog:
1298. Complete “R2-D2” unit assembled from original components
spanning the original Star Wars trilogy and Episodes I & II. (TCF,
1977 - 2002) A complete film used R2 unit is not known to be in the
public domain – this R2-D2 offering represents the pinnacle of the
Star Wars collecting universe. For the productions following Star
Wars: A New Hope, to save time in meeting production deadlines, R2
components were reused from the previous Star Wars films. As
filming progressed, R2 units were upgraded and refurbished, with
outdated components being retired. This process has been confirmed
by numerous crewmembers who worked on the Star Wars film franchise.
This R2-D2, constructed of aluminum, steel and fiberglass elements,
measuring 43 in. tall x 29.5 in. wide x 20 in. deep (in current
pose), was put together over many years by sourcing original
components and assembling them as a complete R2-D2. The dome was
one of the few hero aluminum domes made for R2 actor Kenny Baker in
the first film (A New Hope, 1977) and is the only one known in the
public domain. It was used throughout the original trilogy as well
as Episode I and can be screen matched by the fiber optic array to
scenes in Return of the Jedi and Episode I. It features a handle to
articulate the front eye from inside the unit by Kenny Baker. The
metal “greeblies” (fine details added to make the device appear
more complex) inserted into the front and rear of the body, and
those on the feet, were made for A New Hope and used on R2 units
throughout the original trilogy. The left and right legs were made
for Empire Strikes Back and were acquired as complete items. One
leg retains the Empire paint scheme and the other from Jedi. The
middle and left foot were used on an original trilogy R2 and were
used as the master pattern for the feet created for Episode I. The
right foot is production made for Episode I but not used. The small
opening hatch on the back of the body was used in Episode II. The
barrel of the body was made for Episode I and it was subsequently
painted and detailed for this R2 unit. Given the ad hoc nature of
production practices, any “complete” existing R2-D2 units from the
first trilogy (in studio hands) would be a compilation very similar
to this R2-D2 unit offered here. No internal mechanics or workings
are present. Not merely a prop, costume piece or filming miniature,
R2-D2 is a major, beloved character in the Star Wars universe.
Without question, this is the finest piece ever offered from this
incredible franchise.
One of the most instantly recognizable pieces of pop culture in
existence.
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