Hakes Star Wars Special Event Auction
Online May 16 & Closes June 2, 2022
HAKES.COM

YORK, PENN. — In the investment-obsessed world of fine art, scarcely a week goes by without some new auction record being set, either for a particular artist or art genre. Hake’s Auctions, the Pennsylvania company that has specialized in Pop culture memorabilia since 1967, also rewrites the record books with regularity, but not with Picassos or Van Goghs. It has become known as “The House of Star Wars” because of its consistent ability to achieve world-record prices for prototypes and other rarities from the fabled sci-fi film franchise. With collector demand at an all-time high, Hake’s has responded to the call by adding something new to its roster: an online auction dedicated exclusively to Star Wars memorabilia. The debut “Special Event” has opened for bidding and will run through June 2.

The current 201-lot auction contains not only prototypes and pre-production items, but also foreign issues, highest-graded examples and more. In addition to action figures, there are vehicles, playsets, store displays, proofs, movie posters and cast-signed photos.

The Star Wars parade opens with its grandmaster: a Boba Fett L-slot rocket-firing prototype action figure, AFA-graded 80+ NM (archival case). It is encapsulated with a notarized COA from Collectibles Investment Brokers (CIB) and estimated at $100/200,000.

For those who may not be in the market for a prototype, a Star Wars Boba Fett 21 Back-B encapsulated action figure from Kenner’s 1979 toy line, AFA-graded 85+ NM+, might be a satisfying alternative. The figure presents especially well, with the character’s blaster still in place in the bubble. The card does not have a price sticker, and it is a higher-grade toy than the example Hake’s sold in March for $29,000. Its estimate is $20/35,000.

A foreign production that will not go unnoticed is Lili Ledy’s (Mexican) 1979 Boba Fett action figure with removable rocket, AFA-graded 80+NM. The encapsulated figure, from the “La Guerrade Las Galaxias” Star Wars toy line comes with a blaster and removable rocket, which was designed not to be fired ($20/35,000).

The selection of international rarities continues with a 1981 French Meccano Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Boba Fett 3.75in action figure on an 18 Back (square) cardback, AFA-graded 40 Good ($10/20,000).

North of the border in 1985, Kenner Canada released a Star Wars: The Power of the Force Yak Face 4-inch encapsulated action figure for shipment to foreign outlets only. AFA-graded 80 (Yellow) Y-NM, the Yak Face in Hake’s sale comes on a 92 Back blister card with an addition: its matching aluminum collector’s coin ($10/20,000).

It would be difficult to find a better example of a Kenner Hong Kong 4.25-inch Star Wars Darth Vader action figure than the one offered in this sale. Issued in 1977, both the figure and its double-telescoping saber are AFA-graded 90 NM+/Mint (archival case). Considering there are perhaps only one or two such figures in existence that are graded higher, collectors may view Hake’s Darth as a “buy now or regret it later” opportunity ($20/35,000).

A 2¼-inch Jawa 12 Back-A action figure with a vinyl cape, AFA-graded 80 NM, comes from Kenner’s 1978 Star Wars toy line and is encapsulated on an unpunched card. It is a superior grade (75 EX+/NM) to the one Hake’s sold for a record $36,000 in March ($20/35,000).

Star Wars collectors love vintage store displays, and this auction offers several rarities to tempt them. A nearly 3-foot-long double-sided shelf display header with text and images of Kenner’s first 12 Star Wars action figures is encapsulated and AFA-graded 75 EX+/NM ($20/35,000). A 24-by-40-inch-long Toy Center display in an encapsulated case is AFA-graded 60 EX and features “Star Wars Action Figures” text and images of the Death Star looming in the background as Darth Vader leads a squad of TIE Fighters into battle against X-Wing Fighters ($5/10,000). Made in 1978 as a Toy Galaxy display, a double-sided bell-shape hanger is AFA-graded 90 NM+/Mint. Measuring 16 by 18 inches, it features Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia as seen on the Star Wars movie poster by The Brothers Hildebrandt. Like the Toy Center display, its graphics include Darth Vader’s TIE Fighters battling X-Wing Fighters ($5/10,000).

Kenner’s “early bird” kits were produced prior to the release of the company’s Star Wars toy line, either as an offer or the kit itself. Both types are represented in Hake’s auction. A sealed early bird certificate package, AFA-graded 85 NM+, consists of a cardboard envelope with a sealed kit marked “Not To Be Sold After December 31st, 1977.” Its contents include a cardboard stand, stickers and a coupon to be redeemed by mail for the first set of action figures — Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2 — which would become available in early 1978. The second pre-release early bird mailer kit, encapsulated and AFA-graded 80 NM, actually contains a starter set of those same four figures (Luke Skywalker is the version with a double-telescoping saber), plus a cardboard stage with foot pegs, a mini catalog and original white mailing box. Each of the early bird kits is estimated at $10/20,000.

For more information, 866-404-9800 (toll-free), 717-434-1600 or www.hakes.com.

AFA 80Y
BOBA FETT ROCKET-FIRING PROTOTYPE (L-SLOT) AFA 80+
FIRST SHOT
AFA 80
AFA 85
AFA 90 DT
AFA 75
AFA 80
AFA 60
AFA 80+
AFA 85+
AFA 50Q
AFA 40