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Own A Piece Of Star Wars History

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#memorabilia #tradingcards #collectibles #auction
Published
01/25/2026 by

Animazing Gallery, located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, today announced a landmark partnership with Goldin, the internationally renowned auction house celebrated for record-breaking collectible sales, to present—for the first time ever—the original, fully operational R2-D2 robot at public auction. Regular bidding closes at 10pm EST on Jan 21. At the close of the auction, all lots will remain open for extended bidding for 30 additional minutes.

This exceptional R2-D2 unit was originally built in 1997 for Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) at Walt Disney World in Florida. Approved by Lucasfilm Ltd., it made its debut during Star Wars Weekends before operating daily in the beloved "Stars and Motorcars" parade, along with additional guest interactions throughout the park. More than a display piece, this is a fully functioning robotic character and a rare, museum-level artifact from Star Wars history.

Expertly constructed from cast fiberglass, resin, and multimedia elements, the R2-D2 features remote-controlled motion, rotating dome, light-up electronics, and the iconic expressive sounds known to fans worldwide. Finished with professional studio distressing for an authentic, galaxy-traveled appearance, the piece measures approximately 41 x 37 x 21 inches. It exhibits expected signs of park use and remains in very good operational condition. A remote control is included, along with a letter of provenance from the consignor and a Certificate of Authenticity from Goldin.

Few characters in cinema history are as universally beloved as R2-D2. First conceptualized by Ralph McQuarrie, engineered by John Stears, and constructed by Peteric Engineering, the astromech droid debuted in the original Star Wars (1977). Portrayed by Kenny Baker, R2-D2 appeared in 10 of the 11 Star Wars films, becoming the steadfast, fearless heart of the saga. From delivering Princess Leia's iconic plea— "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope"—to his enduring partnership with C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), R2-D2's charm, humor, and bravery have captivated generations of fans.

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