Darth Vader actor's private Star Wars collection auctioned for dementia charity

Never-before-seen Star Wars memorabilia owned by the late actor David Prowse who played onscreen villain Darth Vader is up for auction and a percentage of the proceeds will go to Alzheimer’s Research.

David Prowse died at the age of 85 of Alzheimer’s disease last November.

The actor’s private Star Wars collection amounts to 600 lots including more than 400 signed photographs, some of which bear personal messages from Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill who played Luke Skywalker.

A piece of the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, which featured in the Star Wars film ‘A New Hope’ and the Darth Vader actor’s rehearsal scripts from the 1980 film ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ are also being sold.

The former professional bodybuilder played not only the iconic film character Darth Vader but was also the face of Britain’s road safety campaign - playing the role of the Green Cross Code Man.

Both his iconic green and white superhero suit and his robot sidekick Droid will also go to the highest bidder.

The auction, which is being conducted by East Bristol Auctions, opened online on 19 April. The public can bid for items until 4 May – known around the world as Star Wars Day – before it switches to a live auction format.

Actor’s friend: ‘It’s been hard to see David’s decline‘

David Prowse had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years before he died.

David Prowse’s friend and assistant Julian Owen spent two months sorting and researching items at the actor’s London home, while his theatrical agent Thomas Bevington arranged the auction.

Julian Owen said: “I worked with Dave for over 10 years and going through the collection has brought back a lot of great memories. We’re expecting a lot of interest from around the world.

“It was so hard to see Dave’s decline with Alzheimer’s disease. We worked together most weekends and every time I saw him there would be a little less of him there.

“Dave’s wife Norma said from the start that she wanted some of the money raised to go to Alzheimer’s Research UK. While nothing could be done for Dave, she knows just how important it is to support dementia research, to ensure future generations don’t have to go through the same heartbreak.

“Dave would be delighted to know some of what’s raised is going to help others.”

Tim Parry, director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “David Prowse is a movie icon who introduced the world to one of the most enduring screen villains of all time.

"It’s an honour that Alzheimer’s Research UK will benefit from this auction, which will undoubtedly generate a huge amount of buzz in the Star Wars community.

“We can’t thank Norma and the family enough for using the auction as a way of supporting the search for breakthrough dementia treatments.”

To see all the lots and register to bid visit www.eastbristol.co.uk