405

405. Light-Up R3-Series Astromech Droid Head ### STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
405. Light-Up R3-Series Astromech Droid Head ### STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)
Please note that all bids placed through 3rd party platforms and not
propstoreauction.com, will be subject to a buyer's expense of 5%.
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - Light-Up R3-Series Astromech Droid Head - A light-up R3-series astromech droid head from Irvin Kershner's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. R3-series droids were distinguished by their unique heads, which featured translucent domes with visible internal mechanics. This head was built specifically for The Empire Strikes Back and was one of two, or possibly three, R3-series droids created for the film, each having subtle variations in color scheme and detail. The droids appeared in sequence within the Rebel Alliance's Hoth base; at least one of the R3 droids built for Empire was also updated and used in Return of the Jedi, in Admiral Ackbar's (Tim Rose) briefing room.

The mechanical interior of this droid head was assembled from real-world industrial scrap components, model kit parts, and other found objects - a technique used for prop building throughout the original Star Wars trilogy. It is cosmetic only and has no functionality. The dome was vacuum-formed from clear plastic with debossed panels. A small incandescent light was installed in the interior of the head, and the exterior dome was dressed with greeblies and several of the debossed panels were painted orange.

The translucent dome of this droid head was damaged after production and a few sections of the original hemisphere were lost. The original dome has been restored by installing it over a newly-made clear dome that supports the remaining original structure; this inner-support dome is smooth and does not have the debossed panels of the original, allowing observers to identify which elements are original.

The original dome exhibits residue and tarnishing from previously applied adhesives and pinline graphics; these now-removed pinlines may have been installed for the production of Return of the Jedi or may have been applied at some point after. Replica greeblies have been installed on the dome's exterior for display, and the panels have been repainted to the original orange color, having been previously stripped. All of the interior components of the head remain original and unrestored. The droid features its original wooden base, through which wires exit underneath to connect to an external power source for the incandescent light illumination. Chrome tape has also been restored on the edge of the base.

The head remains in a presentable and stable restored condition. Dimensions: 18" x 17" x 15" (45.75 cm x 43.25 cm x 38 cm)

Contains electronic and mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Estimate: $40,000 - 80,000

Bidding for this lot will end on Thursday, August 15th. The auction will begin at 9:30AM PDT 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 Friday, August 16th, Saturday, August 17th or Sunday, August 18th.