Nifty to see another one out there (although I am rather surprised that someone is actually willing to pay that much for one).

I could see a Don Post Deluxe Darth Vader going for this price IF it was a dcarty-modified one incorporating numerous updates to improve upon its accuracy (a DCDPDLX if you will).

But I would guess the current market value of an unmodified DPDLX in good condition would be in the neighborhood of $400-$600.

I appreciate the compliment -- and you do me too much credit, sir!

I completely agree about pricing. The market's so flooded with Vader helmets that I'm almost surprised anyone is able to sell one at all. There's a nice higher numbered DP that has been listed on eBay since the end of last year. It started similarly overpriced and the seller has reduced it several times so it's now down to $700 and still isn't selling.

I've had a wild hair about getting another DP Deluxe for some time now and finally scored one fairly recently on eBay. It looks like it took a nose dive off a shelf and needs some TLC obviously so I was able to get it fairly inexpensively. I plan to repair the busted tusk and chipped paint but leave it as close to original condition as I can. DP Deluxe #79:

Great find on the helmet Dave. The base of the neck looks to have minimal flare so looks like a good pull. After the few cosmetic changes I'm sure you'll have it restored back to its 1995 appearance right out of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

I have also seen that DPDLX on ebay - now priced at $650, but I also noticed the prop store web site now shows their DPDLX #153 as being Sold. So perhaps there is an uptick in interest in the ole guy!

And speaking of Rancho Cucamonga, does anyone know where these helmets were actually made? I thought that these were made as orders came in at Don Post/Party Professionals in California. But I saw a post recently on Facebook by someone who indicated they were made in China which I didn't think was correct but I didn't reply because I wasn't 100% sure that they were not.

Don Post Deluxe #90 just sold on eBay for $405. Paint wasn't holding up too good, but the shape looked nice.

One of these days when I get enough courage I'll look into modifying my Don Post or casting it to make it something more accurate, and only after a lot more research.

On the research side here's a video of some photographic morphs between original ESB photos and my DPDLX.

If the changes were only additive I could see adding appliqués to my DPDLX. But it looks like some features would also need to be sanded down which I'm not too keen about doing.

http://youtu.be/EF2y1zvf4f4

Goof that I am, I seriously considered bidding on it, lol. How many Vader helmets is too many??? Or I suppose more to the point is "how many DP Deluxe Vader helmets is too many??"

Well, the Don Post DLX is a nice helmet... if you can find one with decent to good shape.

If only eFX would do a vacformed version of their ANH, but I guess they don't have the costuming license. Maybe ANOVOS would be a better choice for that?

How is the Anovos Vader helmet? Is it any good? Accuracy wise.

From what I can tell it's a Jeff/GH style face mask... and I honestly can't tell what the dome is... looks fan made sourced and slightly inaccurate.

A friend of mine was thinking of getting a Vader helmet, he is not an accuracy buff, he just wants a nice helmet for a reasonable price.

I think the ANOVOS is fairly priced and is a decent helmet.

I'll let him know. Thanks

Has anyone analyzed or considered the possibility that the ESB stunt was used as the basis for the DPDLX? Or perhaps a helmet closely derived from the ESB stunt? I ask after looking at the prop den's facebook album Bob Anderson ESB Stunt (Fencing) Mask. Compare this photo to DPDLX #79 posted by dcarty early in this thread:

https://www.facebook.com/ThePropDen/photos/np.1435743546329416.1102580729/917160505015629/?type=1&permPage=1

Shown here side-by-side: