1635

Lot #1635: STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - William Plumb Collection: Hand-painted George

Currency:GBP Category:Memorabilia / Movie - Props Start Price:1,500.00 GBP Estimated At:3,000.00 - 6,000.00 GBP
Lot #1635: STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - William Plumb Collection: Hand-painted George
Please note that all bids placed through 3rd party platforms will be subject to a buyer's expense of 5%. There is no fee for bids placed on propstoreauction.com

Day 1 and 2 of the auction will be held live with in-person bidding on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th November 2023 at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LN.

Please note in-person bidding is not available on Days 3 and 4 (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November), bids can be placed online or via telephone or written absentee form.
STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - William Plumb Collection: Hand-painted George Gaadt Questar Magazine Illustration

A hand-painted George Gaadt Questar magazine illustration from Irvin Kershner's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Gaadt created the cover to highlight Questar's interview with Mark Hamill.

This lot comes from the collection of William Plumb. It consists of a hand-painted illustration on illustration board featuring Luke Skywalker on a tauntaun in Hoth, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Yoda with a black tape trim; and a Questar Magazine numbered PDC55087-2 dated August 1980 featuring the illustration. Along Yoda's shoulder is Gaadt's signature. "To Questar Magazine" appears on Gaadt's studio sticker on the rear. Included are nine pages of handwritten letters from Gaadt to Plumb with an envelope featuring a hand-drawn illustration and a postcard. This lot exhibits minor backing tearing and damage to the magazine's back cover. Dimensions: 73.75 cm x 53.5 cm x 0.75 cm (29" x 21" x 0.25")

Sold without copyright; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

For the last four decades, William Plumb has been at the forefront of Star Wars and science fiction original art collecting. He was a pioneer in searching for artwork for his collection and began contacting artists to inquire about their works in the mid 1980s. Over time he developed personal relationships with many renowned artists including Ralph McQuarrie, Drew Struzan, Lawrence Noble, and Dave Dorman. In 1986, Plumb organized the "Space Fantasy & Reality Art Expo" at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest, California, to benefit the handicapped. The event was supported by contributions from Plumb's artist friends and even Lucasfilm - all of whom loaned materials to Plumb for the display.

It was through these personal relationships that Plumb acquired many of the finest pieces in his collection. Throughout the years, Plumb organized or appeared at countless other events and shows, where he proudly displayed his collection and discussed his passion for Star Wars original art with both artists and fans. In 1996, Plumb hosted a panel at San Diego Comic Con on collecting Star Wars artwork specifically. In 2001, he and a small group of fellow collectors commissioned Lawrence Noble to produce the now-famous "Bronze Yoda." Plumb's bronze Yoda statue was perennially displayed at The California State Fair for fans to see and enjoy.

Propstore is pleased and honored to offer these fantastic lots from Plumb's collection, including Noble's matching number Artist Proofs of the bronze Yoda and Darth Vader statues, sketches and paintings from McQuarrie, Struzan, Noble, Dorman, Kazu Sano, Tim Hildebrandt, John Gampert, Ken Barr, Vincent Di Fate, and many more.


Estimate: GBP 3000 - 6000 FALSE

Bidding for this lot will end on Sunday, November 12th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM BST 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 Thursday, November 9th, Friday, November 10th or Saturday, November 11th.