A true Jedi should never seek revenge…

Back on day two of our Vintage & Collectible Toy auction on the 4th May we had quite a large selection of vintage Star Wars related toys and memorabilia. Amongst these lots was a Vintage Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back ‘Revenge Of The Jedi’ Stickers… these surprised even our Toy Specialist with their result, hammering at £2,500!

These stickers, circa 1982, and made by Fun Products International Ltd Leeds, included stickers featuring Darth Vader, C-3PO, R2 D2, RD D2 C-3PO, Darth Vader and Chewbacca. The ninety six stickers in period plastic shop wallet were particularly rare in that they were being sold under a title only briefly used before being changed to the title Lucas initially intended - Return of the Jedi.

Return or Revenge?

Based on Lucas’ story, the screenplay for this film was the combined effort of both he and Lawrence Kasdan. Kasdan has since claimed that he told Lucas that ‘Return of the Jedi’ was a weak title, which prompted Lucas to name the film ‘Revenge of the Jedi’.

The original teaser for the film was produced under the name Revenge of the Jedi - but Lucas later decided that ‘Revenge’ was not the right title as ‘a true Jedi should never seek revenge’. The film was returned (pun intended!) to Lucas’ original title. By this time, however, some ‘Revenge’ posters and other promotional merchandise had been produced and distributed... the shipping of such stock was swiftly brought to a halt.

Revenge would play an important role in the title of the later 2005 film 'Episode III - Revenge of the Sith', which alluded to the dismissed title. Revenge of the Jedi or not, Star Wars toys and memorabilia always achieve high prices at auction… take a look below at some of the lots that have previously sold for great hammer prices in our past Vintage & Collectible Toy auctions:

Lot 1108 - Vintage Helix Star Wars Fibre Tip Pens Sets 

When a collector has their sights on a lot, they rarely let it go without a fight! The battle for these rare pen sets took the hammer price to an incredible £2,600.

Lot 976 - Kenner Star Wars Han Solo Vintage Original Carded Figure 

This Kenner Star Wars Han Solo Vintage Original Carded Figure, in mint original condition with collectors case, hammered at £1,350. 

Lot 979 - Rare JC Penny Exclusive Vintage Kenner Star Wars Sonic Controlled Land Speeder

This hard to find toy with super provenance hammered in our last Vintage & Collectible Toys auction on the 4th May for £2,800...

Lot 382 - Very Scarce Boxed Star Wars Palitoy Catina with Special Offer Label

And a little throwback to our Vintage & Collectible Toys auction which took place in September 2022. This set was produced in 1979 in the UK by Palitoy, it was produced without the figures and was designed differently from the Kenner USA version. This set with the special offer sticker and four carded figures is very scarce, it has been offered by the vendor who has had it since childhood. Lot 382 hammered at £6,400!

Our next Vintage & Collectible Toys auction that will feature Star Wars lot will be the 13th September 2023... if you'd like to consign your vintage Star Wars lots to this auction, get in touch with our Toy Specialist, Glen, for a chat! 

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