What Star Wars item just set a new price record?

An original 1977 Star Wars poster painting by artist Tom Jung sold for $3.875 million, making it the most expensive Star Wars item ever sold.

Tom Jung is the artist behind the iconic “Style A” poster for the original Star Wars, known for defining the franchise’s early visual identity.

Why is this painting so valuable?

It’s the original hand-painted artwork used to promote the 1977 film, a one-of-a-kind piece of cinematic history and foundational Star Wars imagery.

What did the painting sell for?

It sold at auction for $3.875 million.

Has any other Star Wars collectible sold for more?

No. This sale makes the Tom Jung painting the single most expensive Star Wars collectible ever recorded.

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The Force is strong… with the art market.
A new record has officially been set for the most expensive Star Wars item ever sold, and it didn’t come from a prop vault, a film set, or George Lucas’s personal closet. Instead, the crown now belongs to an original 1977 poster painting by legendary illustrator Tom Jung — the very same artwork that helped introduce Star Wars to the world.

The hammer price?
A jaw-dropping $3.875 million.

That’s right. A single painting has now out-sold every lightsaber, helmet, model, costume, script, or production relic ever brought to auction.

The Painting That Launched a Galaxy

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you know this artwork — even if you don’t know the name behind it.

Tom Jung’s painting became the iconic “Style A” poster for Star Wars (1977). It’s the one with:

Luke Skywalker holding his lightsaber high
Leia striking her heroic stance
Vader’s mask looming behind them
X-wings and explosions filling the background
A golden mythic glow that practically screams “space opera destiny”

This wasn’t just marketing.
It was myth-making.

Jung’s work set the tone for what Star Wars felt like before audiences even saw the movie. It’s a piece of visual storytelling that shaped an entire generation’s imagination — and, apparently, is now worth almost $4 million.

Why This Painting Is So Valuable

Star Wars collectors are passionate, but this sale is extraordinary even by those standards. Here’s why the price hit the stratosphere:

1. It’s the original hand-painted artwork

Not a reproduction.
Not a poster print.
The actual painting created by Tom Jung in 1977.

There’s only one of these.

2. It’s culturally foundational

This artwork wasn’t just promotional material — it helped launch the franchise. Lucasfilm used Jung’s piece to sell the film’s tone, scale, and mythic feel to the world.

It is Star Wars history.

3. It outshines every other collectible

To put things in perspective, this sale surpasses:

Screen-used lightsabers
Darth Vader helmets
ILM miniatures
Concept art from other films
Production-used props from all eras

Nothing in Star Wars collecting history touches this price.

4. Tom Jung is a legend

Jung isn’t just a poster artist.
He’s a visual architect of cinema itself.

His work on Star Wars helped immortalize the saga. His influence echoes through every reprint, every poster revival, every piece of retro-themed merchandise.

The Most Expensive Star Wars Item in History

$3.875 million makes this painting the single most valuable Star Wars collectible ever sold, officially taking the top spot in a market that has seen some wild numbers.

It’s a reminder that the galaxy far, far away isn’t just entertainment — it’s cultural heritage.

And now, one lucky collector has a masterpiece that helped change pop culture forever.

What This Means for Collecting

This sale will be talked about for years.
Expect:

More high-end Star Wars art to surface at auctions
An increased spotlight on original concept art
Prices for 1970s-era pieces to climb
Renewed interest in poster art as premium collectibles

And somewhere, George Lucas is probably smiling quietly.

The Bottom Line

A nearly $4 million sale might sound unbelievable, but when you consider what this painting represents — the birth of a global phenomenon — it makes perfect sense.

Tom Jung didn’t just paint a poster.
He painted a legend.

And now, it’s the most expensive piece of Star Wars history ever sold.

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