Stellar Successes: A Look at Star Wars Collectibles at Auction
27/12/2024 | Robert Wilkin
Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away…
1977 is a year known for many things: Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee; the shocking death of Elvis; the release of the original Star Wars movie, and, to the vintage toy collector, 1977 was the landmark year that Kenner first released Star Wars action figures. A comparatively small company at the time, Kenner’s collaboration with Star Wars launched them to new heights, seeing them sell over 300 million units between 1977 and 1985 alone.
Fast forward through the decades, the collectability of the Kenner Star Wars figures has grown. The Star Wars franchise has gained international appeal and recognition, with Kenner, and subsequently Disney and Hasbro, issuing various lines of the action figures to cater to this insatiable market.
The highly collectible Kenner Star Wars action figures have enjoyed record breaking success at auction. A 1979 Kenner Boba Fest prototype action figure even holds the record for the most expensive toy sold at auction, having fetched a dizzying $1.342 million USD (£1.04 million GBP) at auction in August 2024. Here at C&T we saw our own stellar success with a Rare Vintage Star Wars UKG 80 Graded Jawa figure, which reached £25,000 in May 2024!
On the 15th January 2025, C&T will be hoping for some records of our own in our Star Wars & TV/Film Related Toys and Collectibles auction, commencing at 11:00 GMT. A notable item in this auction is Lot 175, a Vintage Kenner Star Wars Rare Vinyl Cape Jawa. This is sure to be one to watch!
Today, the Kenner Star Wars figures signify one of the greatest successes in toy line production ever seen. So if you’re a keen collector looking for a new acquisition in this auction, all that’s left to say is: