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IMAGE: Darth Vader
Lennart Preiss  /  AP
This Darth Vader costume is expected to sell for between $250,000 and $365,000.
updated 10/27/2010 10:47:49 AM ET 2010-10-27T14:47:49

The Force can be with you — for a price.

Christie's auction house says it is selling an original Darth Vader costume from the "Star Wars" movie franchise.

The jet-black helmet, mask and armor worn by the intergalactic villain are expected to sell for between 160,000 pounds and 230,000 pounds ($250,000 and $365,000) at a sale of pop culture memorabilia next month.

Christie's said Wednesday that the costume is thought to have been made for "The Empire Strikes Back," the second film in George Lucas's sci-fi series, released in 1980.

Christie's did not name the owner, identified only as an American private collector.

The sale takes place Nov. 25 in London.

I am your father...you will love 'Star Wars'

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Video: Lost ‘Treasures’ of Hollywood revealed

  1. Closed captioning of: Lost ‘Treasures’ of Hollywood revealed

    >>> took his childhood love of clektding comic books and art and turned it into a successful business.

    >> now that business as well as joe are pro timed in a new reality series on the syfy channel called hollywood treasure. welcome. you have a great idea here because this stuff can be extremely valuable.

    >> absolutely. so basically i travel around the world hunting down hollywood lost treasures. i got to go to london and met julie and got the golden ticket in willie wonka .

    >> he said that's the golden ticket from willie wonka .

    >> how do we know?

    >> it came from her hands. when she was 13 years old and did willie wonka , this was presented to her.

    >> why would anyone give it to you?

    >> we're selling it for her november 6th at our auction. it's part of our show. this is superman number one. the first appearance of superman in a comic book . 100 to $200,000.

    >> i bet it might get more.

    >> let's touch this one.

    >> touch it.

    >> we went to london and met damien. this is the 5-year-old's costume he wore.

    >> it's halloween.

    >> he was the greatest guy. we met him and he's on our show. he consigned the costume.

    >> how much do you get?

    >> 3,000 to $5,000.

    >> we're working with team fox to raise money for parkinson's. bob wrote and directed and produced back to the future. this is the one that bif took of the delorean and altered time.

    >> look at your face. you're like a kid in a candy store .

    >> how much is that worth?

    >> 3 to 5,000.

    >> who is buying these things?

    >> collectors from all over the world.

    >> it was a great idea for a show.

    >> this is a tim burton piece from "nightmare before christmas." this is the original concept sketch of sally. he's a genius.

    >> i'm so glad you used your passion for something that ended up being lucrative for you, too.

    >> the show is great because we travel everywhere. we're in basements and houses and find the most amazing things and meet a lot of celebrities along the way. it's awesome.

    >> we wish you all the

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