Auction For Long-Lost 'Star Wars' Model to Start at $400,000

Auction For Long-Lost 'Star Wars' Model to Start at $400,000

Auction For Long-Lost , 'Star Wars' Model , to Start at $400,000.

CNN reports that a long-lost model used in the original 1977 'Star Wars' is going up for auction.

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The model of an X-wing fighter was used in the final battle scene from 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.'.

The Dallas-based auction house, Heritage Auctions, said that the model “represents the pinnacle of Star Wars artifacts to ever reach the market.".

The model, which has a starting auction price of $400,000, has a single red stripe painted on the top two wings, identifying it as 'Red Leader.'.

This model has not been displayed or modified since it left ILM (visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic), Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN.

For those of us that grew up in the ’70s or ‘80s, and those of us that work in visual effects, this model is as significant a find as the ruby red slippers or the Maltese Falcon, Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN.

For those of us that grew up in the ’70s or ‘80s, and those of us that work in visual effects, this model is as significant a find as the ruby red slippers or the Maltese Falcon, Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN.

CNN reports that the model is one of just four highly-detailed "hero" models used specifically for filming close-up scenes.

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The 'hero' models are the work of the same Oscar award- winning Industrial Light & Magic team, built according to specifications provided by director George Lucas.

The 'hero' models are the work of the same Oscar award- winning Industrial Light & Magic team, built according to specifications provided by director George Lucas.

‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and ‘Star Wars’ were being made at roughly the same time, and with an overlapping group of people, Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN.

‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and ‘Star Wars’ were being made at roughly the same time, and with an overlapping group of people, Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN.

And at that time no one, not even Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, could anticipate the impact these films would have on the industry or cultural zeitgeist, Gene Kozicki, Visual effects expert, via CNN