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Honourable mention: Luke Skywalker’s Flight Suit from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - $60,000

In July 2005 a Profiles in History auction featured the remarkable prop collection of Gary Kurtz, producer of the first two Star Wars films along with George Lucas’ second feature film ‘American Graffiti’. His collection featured an extensive array of Star Wars props, several of which appear in this list.

The first is Luke Skywalker’s orange X-Wing flight suit from the climactic battle of Episode IV, which sold at the auction in Beverly Hills for a price of $60,000.

10) Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Cloak from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - $95,900

Based on Ralph McQuarrie’s conceptual designs, the last of the Jedi Knights appeared as a nomadic monk rather than a great warrior. Not only is ‘Old Ben’ Kenobi’s cloak indicative of the peaceful nature of the Force, it’s also the only thing left of him after his battle with Darth Vader in Episode IV.

The iconic costume appeared in the first two original films, and then remained in storage in Los Angeles until the Bonhams auction in 2007 when it was sold for a price of $95,900.

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On May 25, 1977, from a galaxy far, far away, the first Star Wars film landed in cinemas around the world.

Quite unexpectedly, it became the biggest blockbuster in history almost overnight. It spawned two more films, and then another three, grew into a merchandising behemoth, encouraged numerous spin-offs in a wide variety of media, and has maintained its status as one of the biggest franchises in the world ever since.

What began as a twinkle in George Lucas’ eye, a concept for a science fiction epic, soon became a cult phenomenon, its influence on popular culture almost unparalleled by any other film. The resulting amount of memorabilia is boundless, a fertile ground for fans and collectors.

The first three Star Wars movies, created by George Lucas, were released in 1977, 1980 and 1983 by Lucasfilm. They represented episodes IV, V and VI.

Almost two decades passed before Lucasfilm released the prequel trilogy, Episodes I, II and III, in 1999, 2002 and 2005.

The franchise is set in a fictional galaxy inhabited by alien creatures, many of them humanoid, as well as robotic droids. An important feature is the presence of ‘the force’, a supernatural energy that can be harnessed by those with the ability, either for good or for evil.

• Read more about "These ARE the droids you're looking for!" - Collecting Star Wars memorabilia...