Iconic Star Wars Painting Sells for $3.875 Million, Setting New Memorabilia Record

The acrylic and airbrush masterpiece that first introduced the galaxy far, far away to the world has just changed hands for a record‑setting $3.875 million.

A Painting That Became a Cultural Touchstone

The artwork, created by Tom Jung, first appeared in newspaper advertisements on May 13, 1977, just weeks before the space epic premiered. It was also used on billboards, magazine ads and theater programs, making it one of the most recognizable images associated with the film.

The First Glimpse for a Nation

For most of America, this was the first time they got a glimpse of the galaxy far, far away, said Charles Epting, director of pop culture and historical consignments at Heritage Auctions. The painting’s widespread exposure helped launch a generation’s love affair with the franchise.

From Gary Kurtz to a Dallas Auction House

Producer Gary Kurtz kept the original painting and hung it on his office wall before passing it down to his daughter. The Kurtz family later put the work up for sale at the Dallas headquarters of Heritage Auctions, where bidding started at $1 million.

Auction Highlights and Record‑Breaking Price

The sale set records for the highest‑selling piece of memorabilia from the film franchise, and for any movie poster artwork, Epting said. The winning bid came through the Heritage Auctions website, and the buyer has chosen to keep his identity private.

A New Benchmark for Star Wars Memorabilia

Prior to this, the highest price for franchise memorabilia was Darth Vader’s lightsaber, which sold at auction for $3.6 million. The new record demonstrates the enduring value of the original promotional art.

What the Painting Shows

One side of the painting depicts Luke Skywalker holding a lightsaber behind Princess Leia, with Darth Vader looming in the background. On the other side, a team of X‑wing starfighters launches an attack. Han Solo and Skywalker are shown receiving medals.

The Evolution of the Image

In the lower right hand corner are R2‑D2 and C‑3PO, which were added at the last minute, Epting said. The droids are absent from the early reproductions of the painting and later appeared when the movie poster and the billboard were produced. The exact date of the latter is unknown but it was around June or July 1977, Epting said.

A Cultural Artifact

The painting is not just film memorabilia but is also a cultural artifact and part of American history, Epting said. The emotional connection that people form with “Star Wars” movies also helps explain the sales price, he said.

Emotional Resonance

Anyone who’s seen these movies or the marketing materials around it — you see this piece, your heart starts racing, Epting said.

Key Takeaways

• The original Tom Jung painting sold for $3.875 million, breaking franchise memorabilia records.
• The artwork first appeared in May 1977, just before the film’s release, and was used across multiple advertising channels.
• The painting’s detailed scenes and later additions, such as R2‑D2 and C‑3PO, illustrate the evolution of the iconic image.

The auction not only highlights the commercial value of Star Wars memorabilia but also underscores the painting’s status as a treasured piece of American cultural history.