C-3PO’s head, ‘Jaws’ harpoon and masks from ‘Gladiator’ all up for auction

By Dean Murray

A “Star Wars” C-3PO head and a harpoon gun from Jaws are the highlights of an upcoming blockbuster Hollywood auction.

The “Return of the Jedi” light-up prop is expected to fetch up to $700,000 (£538,462) at a Propstore sale next month.

The C-3PO head, from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), is the only known example of Threepio’s head from the second film to appear on the collector market. It carries an estimate of $350,000–$700,000 (£269,231–£538,462).

Two iconic pieces from Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” (1975) are presented following the film’s landmark 50th anniversary last year.

Headlining the selection is the screen-matched harpoon gun used by Quint (Robert Shaw) and Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), accompanied by its original case from aboard the Orca. The piece carries an estimate of $250,000–$500,000 (£192,308–£384,615).

Also offered is Quint’s screen-matched Fenwick fishing rod with production-used reel. Featured during the film’s early shark encounter and handled by Quint, Hooper, and Brody, the rod is estimated at $75,000–$150,000 (£57,692–£115,385).

Propstore said: “Together, these pieces stand as two of the most significant artifacts to ever surface from the movie and head to public auction.”

Other highlights include Tom Hanks’ faithful co‑star from “Cast Away”, the screen‑matched Wilson volleyball, which is tipped to reach $300,000 (£230,769), and Russell Crowe’s gladiatorial arena helmet and mask from “Gladiator” at up to $250,000 (£192,308).

Further notable lots include Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T‑800 jacket from “The Terminator” ($75,000–$150,000 / £57,692–£115,385), Christian Bale’s Batman cowl from “Batman Begins” ($60,000–$120,000 / £46,154–£92,308), and Tom Cruise’s screen‑matched F‑14A Tomcat filming miniature from “Top Gun” ($50,000–$100,000 / £38,462–£76,923).

The three-day live auction runs from March 25–27 in Los Angeles, with global online, absentee, and telephone bidding available throughout the three days.

Top items to be sold (with pre-sale estimates):

STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) Light-Up C-3PO Head est. $350,000 – $700,000 (£269,231 – £538,462)JAWS (1975) Screen Matched Harpoon Gun with Case est. $250,000 – $500,000 (£192,308 – £384,615)CAST AWAY (2000) Chuck Noland’s (Tom Hanks) Screen-matched Wilson Volleyball est. $150,000 – $300,000 (£115,385 – £230,769)GLADIATOR (2000) Maximus’ (Russell Crowe) Arena Helmet and Mask est. $125,000 – $250,000 (£96,154 – £192,308)PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END (2007)/PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (2011) Captain Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) Screen-Matched and Photo-Matched Flintlock Pistol est. $100,000 – $200,000 (£76,923 – £153,846)BLACK PANTHER (2018) Black Panther Stunt Helmet on Chadwick Boseman Bust est. $100,000 – $200,000 (£76,923 – £153,846)WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971) Golden Ticket est. $80,000 – $160,000 (£61,538 – £123,076)JAWS (1975) Quint’s (Robert Shaw) Screen-Matched Fishing Rod with Production-Used Reel est. $75,000 – $150,000 (£57,692 – £115,385)THE TERMINATOR (1984) T-800’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) Screen- and Photo-Matched Jacket est. $75,000 – $150,000 (£57,692 – £115,385)BATMAN BEGINS (2005) Batman’s (Christian Bale) Cowl est. $60,000 – $120,000 (£46,154 – £92,308)GLADIATOR (2000) Production-Made Tigris of Gaul (Sven-Ole Thorsen) Helmet est. $50,000 – $100,000 (£38,462 – £76,923)THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (2001-2003) Shards of Narsil est. $50,000 – $100,000 (£38,462 – £76,923)THE NATURAL (1984) Roy Hobbs’ (Robert Redford) “Wonderboy” Baseball Bat est. $50,000 – $100,000 (£38,462 – £76,923)STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015) Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) Hero Lightsaber Hilt est. $50,000 – $100,000 (£38,462 – £76,923)TOP GUN (1986) Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s (Tom Cruise) Screen-Matched F-14A Tomcat Filming Model Miniature est. $50,000 – $100,000 (£38,462 – £76,923)HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004) The Marauder’s Map est. $40,000 – $80,000 (£30,769 – £61,538)THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) Cowardly Lion’s (Bert Lahr) Medal of Courage Prototype est. $10,000 – $20,000 (£7,692 – £15,385)THE PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT (1918) Framed Hand-Painted Frank Frazetta “Captive Princess” 1973 Paperback Cover Artwork est. $500,000 – $1,000,000 (£384,615 – £769,231)