Filming for the 8th installment in the Star Wars franchise kicked off earlier this year in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and June 8 fans of the series will be able to get their hands on some unique Star Wars memorabilia from the early days of the story.Stuart Freeborn, seen as the 'grandfather of modern make-up design,' created make-up items for “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” Freeborn passed away in 2013 at the age of 98, his collection of unique Star Wars items falling in to the hands of a fellow make-up artist. Now Catherine Southon in the UK is putting them of for auction on behalf of the Shepperton Wig Company.Freeborn is thought to have based the facial expressions of Yoda somewhat on himself, apparent in the plaster model (number 4) of the character, expected to go for £200 – 300. Samples of yak hair used in the process of creating the make-up and look of Chewbacca are also in the auction, as well as original pages, scripts and call sheets from “The Empire Strikes Back” (estimated £500 – 800).Notably for fans, items from “Return of the Jedi” include the logo showing the working title “Revenge of the Jedi” on the envelopes.Freeborn worked on all three of the original trilogy, as well as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and several Superman films, with items from several films also going up for auction in on Wednesday, 8 June at Farleigh Court Golf Course.“This is a one off chance to buy some unique Star Wars material. Stuart Freeborn had such an impressive career in the film world and was instrumental in taking film make-up to a new level by working on some of the most influential films of the last century,” says Southon.“Part of the collection is a signed plaster model of Yoda, whose look he very much based on himself. So it is a great honour to be able to offer these lots for sale in our June auction and I am sure there will be lots of fans around the world wanting to bid for these rare Star Wars memorabilia.”
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