Zoran Sinobad said: "While both STAR WARS (1977) and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) are on the National Film Registry, the Library has not yet acquired new prints of either one."
New prints? Does that imply they have old prints of SW and ESB?
Zoran Sinobad said: "When the request was made for STAR WARS, Lucasfilm offered us the Special Edition version. The offer was declined as this was obviously not the version that had been selected for the Registry. We have not yet requested a print of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, added to the Registry late last year."
So the only film, they requested a new print for so far, was SW. Alas, they were only offered the Special Edition of SW, which they declined.
Zoran Sinobad said: "The Library of Congress does hold the original release versions of STAR WARS, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI, but these 35mm prints were acquired as copyright deposits in March 1978, October 1980, and June 1983 respectively. All three are classified as archival masters and as such cannot be accessed for viewing/research."
So they additionally have a 35mm print of SW, ESB and ROTJ. Only problem being that those are declared archival masters, which basically means these must not be accessed for viewing/research.
Zoran Sinobad said: "The existing condition reports for STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (there is no report for RETURN OF THE JEDI) indicate that the former has minor scratches but is in good shape overall, while the latter has extreme color fading."
I presume this refers to the state of the copyright deposits, which have status of archival masters (as mentioned just above).
Zoran Sinobad said: "We also have an additional 35mm print of the original STAR WARS (received June 1979) with English subtitles for the deaf."
Then there seems to be yet another 35mm print of SW with english subtitles for the deaf (what status does this one have? also archival master?). These probably wouldn't be very useful for a restoration, since I assume the subtitles for the deaf are on the print. On the other hand, the sound could still be used.
So, by my math this does result into:
1 old print of each SW and ESB as regular material on the national film registry. (Could they be allowed to be accessed for viewing/research?)
1 old print of each SW, ESB and ROTJ as copyright deposits, classified as archival masters (must not be accessed for viewing/research)
1 old print of SW for the hearing impaired, classification unknown.