A famous painting that introduced Star Wars to the world nearly 50 years ago sold for $3.875 million at auction. This record-breaking price makes it the most expensive piece of movie poster artwork ever sold. The painting was created by artist Tom Jung and first appeared in newspaper ads on May 13, 1977, just before the debut of George Lucas’s space epic. It was also used on billboards, in magazines, and theatre programs. Charles Epting, director at Heritage Auctions, said, "For most of America, this was the first time they got a glimpse of the galaxy far, far away." The painting was first owned by Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz. He kept it in his office before passing it to his daughter. The family then sold it at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The bidding started at $1 million, but the winning online bidder remains anonymous. This sale beats the previous record of $3.6 million for Darth Vader’s lightsaber, making it the highest-priced Star Wars memorabilia sold so far. The artwork shows key scenes from the first Star Wars film. Luke Skywalker holds his lightsaber behind Princess Leia while Darth Vader looms in the back. Another part shows X-wing fighters attacking as Han Solo and Skywalker receive medals. R2-D2 and C-3PO were added later in the painting and featured in posters from mid-1977. Epting explained that the painting shows how marketing for the film grew, revealing decisions about which characters and scenes to highlight. He called it "both a cultural artifact and a piece of American history." He added, "Anyone who’s seen these movies or the marketing materials — you see this piece, your heart starts racing." Since 1977, Star Wars has become one of the most successful movie franchises worldwide, with sequels, prequels, spin-offs, books, and series that keep its magic alive for fans everywhere.