One of only two hand-painted rocket firing Boba Fetts sold at Heritage Auctions on 31st May, smashing the previous record by making an incredible $525,000 (£410,000), far above the estimate. There is good news though, the buyer will accept offers of $656,250, so shake that piggy bank and start counting those pennies, as this could one day be yours.
It’s one of only two surviving hand-painted, missile-firing action figures promised to kids but ultimately pulled from the Kenner production line in the 1970s. Its price more than doubled the record for the most expensive Star Wars action figure sold at auction, held by a rocket-firing Boba Fett that realised £185k in June 2022.
The rocket-firing Boba Fett was intended as a free giveaway, promoted with in-store displays, on other toy packaging and TV ads. Thousands sent off four proofs of purchase to receive their gift, however they would receive in return a Boba Fett with a non-firing rocket molded into the figure. The figure had been cancelled mainly due to rival toy company Mattel experiencing serious problems with their popular Battlestar Galactica toy spaceships, which fired a similar sized projectile. If accidentally shot into the mouth, the choking potential for children had become clear. Already, there were several choking incidences and one child’s death.
Padawan Collector took a closer look at this incredible sale.
