Photo credit: AP
The painting that introduced “Star Wars” to the world almost 50 years ago has fetched USD 3.875 million at auction, setting a record for movie poster artwork. Created by artist and poster designer Tom Jung, the acrylic and airbrush piece first appeared in newspaper ads on 13 May 1977, just days before George Lucas’s space epic premiered. It later featured on billboards, magazine spreads, and theatre programmes.Charles Epting, director of pop culture and historical consignments at Heritage Auctions, said, “For most of America, this was the first time they got a glimpse of the galaxy far, far away.” The painting was initially owned by “Star Wars” producer Gary Kurtz, who hung it on his office wall before passing it down to his daughter. The family put it up for sale at Heritage Auctions’ Dallas headquarters, where bidding began at USD 1 million.The winning bid, submitted online, remains anonymous. According to Epting, the sale surpasses previous records, including the auction of Darth Vader’s lightsaber for USD 3.6 million, making it the highest-priced piece of franchise memorabilia to date.
A glimpse of the galaxy far, far away
Jung’s painting captures key moments from the original film: Luke Skywalker raises his lightsaber behind Princess Leia, while Darth Vader looms in the background. Another side depicts X-wing starfighters launching an attack, with Han Solo and Skywalker receiving medals. In the lower right corner, R2-D2 and C-3PO were added at the last minute, absent from early reproductions but included in movie posters and billboards by mid-1977.Epting highlighted the painting’s evolution, noting how choices about which characters and scenes to include reveal the creative process behind the film’s marketing. He described the work as both a cultural artifact and a piece of American history. “Anyone who’s seen these movies or the marketing materials — you see this piece, your heart starts racing,” he said, pointing to the enduring emotional connection fans have with the franchise.Since its 1977 debut, “Star Wars” has grown into one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, spanning sequels, prequels, spin-offs, books, and series, with fans around the world continuing to celebrate its legacy.