Hake’s Auctions are masters at selling incredible collectibles and they have an action figure auction coming up that includes some phenomenal items from the 80’s that need to be covered in plastic cases to protect them from the drool collectors will inadvertantly pour onto these highly valuable items.
When we think of modern Star Wars toys, most of us think about what HAS been made, since there is so much to collect. But with vintage toys, it’s what WASN’T made that is the most interesting! So many key figures were never made, and yet many prototypes leaked out into the world of collectors showing us what might have been. Here are some of the top bids for rare Star Wars items in the current Hake’s auction.
Princess Leia (Bespin Gown) 12” Doll Prototype
One of Leia’s most famous looks, the Bespin Gown version has been made in a variety of toy lines, but not the vintage 12-inch line. After poor performance, the line was discontinued before this figure could be made. This hand-sewn, hand-painted prototype looks amazing, and is one of only a few made. Starting Bid: $25,000
Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Action Figure Prototype
One of the most notorious unproduced prototypes, the rocket-firing Boba Fett action figure was developed, and some samples created, before it was cancelled for safety concerns. This prototype has the L-shaped slot for the rocket-firing mechanism, as opposed to the J-shaped slot, and was graded by the AFA. Current Bid: $36,850
You know him as a rotund villain from the Droids TV series, but collectors know him as the action figure that was only released in Brazil! One of the rarest commercially released figures in existence, Vlix is even harder to find on card, as many were opened or simply fell off with time. Current Bid: $11,000
Power of the Force Yak Face Action Figure
Only released outside the US, Yak Face at least made it to Canada, close enough to be acquired by many US collectors. But a Saelt-Marae on card is still rare, especially with his commemorative Power of the Force coin. Starting Bid: $10,000
Bib Fortuna (White Cape) on Walrus Man Card
Ponda Baba gets no respect. First he gets his arm cut off by a Jedi, then he gets his cardback used for a completely different figure! This early sample of Bib Fortuna, with an incorrect white cape, is on an incorrect Walrus Man card, which means it was a salesman’s sample, proof of the line that customers would be ordering. Triple the rarity! Current Bid: $6,710
Han Solo (Bespin) Action Figure First Shot
Everyone’s probably seen a first shot (or test shot) once in their life, whether it’s a legit prototype of an ‘80s or ‘90s toy line, or even a commercially released one like those rainbow Star Wars figures Hasbro put out. But have you ever seen a Kenner Star Wars test shot in the flesh? Few have, as less than 20 non-production-color first shots were released for all Kenner Star Wars figures. This one of Han in his Bespin uniform is in (almost) classic Han smuggler colors, making it an incredibly unique collectible. Current Bid: $5,000
Han Solo (Hoth) 12” Figure Unproduced Box
Another one of those 12-inch figures that were discontinued before they could make it to stores, Han Solo in his Hoth outfit actually had packaging created for him, and this box flat is a rare piece indeed. If you’re fortunate enough to pair it with a prototype, you must be luckier than Luke in a tauntaun. Starting Bid; $5,000
Darth Vader Carrying Case Gold First Shot
Sure, Darth Vader looks scary in black, but wouldn’t he look fabulous in gold? This gold-colored first shot of the famous Darth Vader carrying case was likely a test for the C-3PO collector case, which ended up being a much brighter gold. Still, an extravagant way to carry around your figure collection. Starting Bid: $2,000
