Return of the Jedi

Han Solo's Blaster Launches to GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title After Selling for More Than $1 Million

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Island Auction Company (RIAC) earned the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title and feature in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2024 book for the "Most Expensive Prop Gun Sold at Auction" with the sale of the BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster,  made for the character of Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy. The gun is the only survivor of the three originals made for A New Hope in 1976, and it sold for $1,057,500 during RIAC's August Premier Auction in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Han Solo's blaster was previously considered missing and presumed lost forever, requiring new prop blasters to be built for "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
  • Star Wars fans refer to Han Solo's blaster, one of the most recognizable weapons in movie history, as the "Hero" prop from "Star Wars: A New Hope."
  • "Knowing how coveted Star Wars collectibles are, we anticipated great interest in the Han Solo blaster, but we couldn't have imagined we would set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with its sale.
  • As the industry leader in collectible fine arms, RIAC has reached several other record sales figures, including selling Napoleon's Garniture for $2.8 million and Ulysses S. Grant's Revolvers for $5.17 million.

Han Solo's Blaster from "Star Wars: A New Hope" to Auction in Rock Island Auction Company Premier Auction, Aug. 26 - 28

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 18, 2022

ROCK ISLAND, Ill., July 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From Rock Island Auction Company and a galaxy far, far away comes the BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster carried by Han Solo, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in "Star Wars: A New Hope," which will be up for auction during the company's Premier Auction, Aug. 26 – 28. Star Wars fans refer to Han Solo's blaster, one of the most recognizable weapons in movie history, as the "Hero" prop from "Star Wars: A New Hope." The Blaster was used to spring Solo out of several scrapes and can be seen prominently strapped to his thigh at the film's triumphant conclusion. The pre-auction estimate for Han Solo's BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster is $300,000 - $500,000.

Key Points: 
  • The pre-auction estimate for Han Solo's BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster is $300,000 - $500,000.
  • The current offering by Rock Island Auction Company is the sole surviving blaster prop remaining of the three used for filming the original trilogy.
  • Han Solo's blaster could set the new high-water mark in the increasingly popular field of Star Wars collectibles.
  • Rock Island Auction Company is the world's #1 auction company for firearms, bladed weapons and militaria.

Frederick County Public Schools and Battelle Announce $50,000 in STEM Challenge Grants

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 10, 2021

The Battelle National Biodefense Institute and Frederick County Public Schools today announced the recipients of $50,000 in teacher challenge grants for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Key Points: 
  • The Battelle National Biodefense Institute and Frederick County Public Schools today announced the recipients of $50,000 in teacher challenge grants for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
  • During a six-week open competition, teachers from elementary, middle and high schools developed and submitted 15 grant proposals.
  • FCPS students and teachers benefit annually from these significant STEM grants, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban said.
  • Three of the winning grant applications came from elementary schools, one from a middle school and four from high schools.

DGAP-News: Endor AG publishes 2020 annual report and proposes dividend distribution for the first time

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 31, 2021

Landshut, 31 May 2021 - Endor AG today presented its final figures for the 2020 financial year.

Key Points: 
  • Landshut, 31 May 2021 - Endor AG today presented its final figures for the 2020 financial year.
  • Financially, Endor AG did not feel any negative effects in 2020, a year marked by the pandemic.
  • Thanks to these effects, Endor AG recorded a significant increase in revenues and earnings in the 2020 financial year in addition to its already strong growth course.
  • Thus, the revenues of the Endor Group more than doubled in 2020 from EUR 38.8 million in the previous year to EUR 90.2 million.