Vader Costume Fails to Sell At Auction

A rare Darth Vader costume from Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back remains in possession of a London auction house after failing to sell on Thursday (25Nov10).

The full outfit from the 1980 movie, comprising of a helmet, mask, shoulder armour and shin guards, was bought by a private U.S. collector in 2003.

The costume is thought to be the first complete one to be put up for sale at auction, but it failed to spark a bidding frenzy when it went under the hammer at Christie's.

Instead, bidding stopped at $236,505 (£150,000), falling short of the reserve price, which remains confidential.

A spokesperson for the auction house had previously priced the costume at $340,000 (£230,000).