Profiles in History sent over a press release letting us know that the Panavision 35mm camera that filmed Star Wars sold at Auction this week for $625,000. It’s been fully restored and is as fully functional as the Second Death Star.
It’s crazy to think about all the bits and scraps of our cultural history that exist in forms like this. It’s like something I’d expect to see at the Smithsonian. While I was at the Smithsonian a couple of weeks ago, I saw plenty of stuff this would fit neatly along with (like the original Muppets, Archie Bunkers Chair and the Catwoman costume from the 60s TV show…)
We can only hope the person who bought the camera puts it somewhere the public can view it.
From the press release:
LOS ANGELES, December 5th, 2011- Profiles in History moved into uncharted territory this past Saturday at the auction of “The Debbie Reynold’s Collection Part II.” The camera that filmed Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope broke world records when it sold for $625,000. No movie camera previously sold has come anywhere close to this amount. The camera, a Panavision PSR 35mm motion picture camera, was used by George Lucas for principle photography on the film that became a cultural milestone (pictured left). The lot was a complete camera package with two 1000 ft. magazines, a Panaspeed motor, matte box, follow focus, a Moy geared head, Italian-made Elemack camera dolly and lens. The camera has been fully restored and is fully functional.