A painting that first introduced the galaxy far, far away to the world sold for $3.875 million at auction Wednesday, setting a new benchmark for movie memorabilia.\n\n## Sale and Record\n\nThe acrylic and airbrush work by Tom Jung was auctioned at the Dallas headquarters of Heritage Auctions, where bidding began at $1 million. The painting was sold for $3.875 million, a record for the highest‑selling piece of Star Wars memorabilia and for any movie poster artwork, according to Charles Epting, the director of pop culture and historical consignments at Heritage Auctions. The buyer, who placed a winning bid through the auction website, chose to remain anonymous.\n\n## Painting’s Journey\n\nThe painting first appeared in newspaper advertisements on May 13, 1977, a little less than two weeks before the space epic created by George Lucas opened. It also adorned billboards, magazine ads and theater programs. \”For most of America, this was the first time they got a glimpse of the galaxy far, far away,\” said Charles Epting. Producer Gary Kurtz kept the original painting and hung it on his office wall before passing it down to his daughter. The Kurtz family later put the work up for sale at Heritage Auctions.\n\n## Evolution and Details\n\nThe artwork shows Luke Skywalker holding a lightsaber behind Princess Leia, with Darth Vader looming over them in the background. On the opposite side, a team of X‑wing starfighters launches an attack, while Han Solo and Skywalker are depicted receiving medals. In the lower right hand corner are R2‑D2 and C‑3PO, which were added at the last minute, Epting said. The droids are absent from the early reproductions of the painting and later appeared when the movie poster and the billboard were produced. The exact date of the latter is unknown but it was around June or July 1977, Epting said. \”You can watch the evolution of this piece and how they were figuring out what was important to include, what are we going to represent, what’s going to draw people in,\” Epting said.\n\n## Cultural Significance\n\nEpting described the painting as \”not just film memorabilia but also a cultural artifact and part of American history.\” He added that the emotional connection people form with Star Wars movies helps explain the sales price. \”Anyone who’s seen these movies or the marketing materials around it — you see this piece, your heart starts racing,\” Epting said. Star Wars is one of the highest‑grossing movie franchises of all time since its 1977 debut, starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. The original film was followed by sequels, prequels, books, movies and other series, and its fans span the globe.\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- The painting sold for $3.875 million, setting records for Star Wars memorabilia and movie poster artwork.\n- The artwork was first advertised on May 13, 1977, and has evolved to include R2‑D2 and C‑3PO around June/July 1977.\n- Charles Epting emphasized the painting’s cultural importance and the emotional impact it has on fans.\n\n## Final Thoughts\n\nThe auction of Tom Jung’s iconic Star Wars painting underscores the enduring allure of the franchise and its ability to capture the imagination of millions. As a piece of American history, the artwork continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, proving that a single image can become a timeless symbol of adventure and hope.
