Popular American auction site Hakes has just closed bidding on a $204,000 J-slot Rocket Firing prototype Fett which has far exceeded the final bid of the L-slot Fett previously.
Rocket Firing Fetts are extremely desirable with long-time US collectors picking these up for a few thousand dollars in the early 1990’s from former Kenner employees and markets in the Cincinnati area. The J-slot Fett is very hard to acquire with around 20-25 examples known to collectors; there are around 80 L-slot Fetts.
This is Version 2 (V2) of the J-Slot variety, having been further refined with a longer firing stem, which has broken off, likely as a result of the aforementioned testing. This testing is evident by the presence of the typically seen indexing marks placed on the underside of figure’s feet. The J-Slot prototype was discovered in the mid-1990s. Prior to that discovery, the J-Slot variation was completely unknown to the hobby. AFA-graded 50 VG Prototype is attractively encased within an AFA Archival case, utilizing AFA’s updated laser cut casing style, which displays the prototype figure, rocket and blaster separately; J-slot rocket-firing mechanism is clearly visible from the back of case (spring clearly visible). AFA serial number 11300319. Comes encapsulated with Collectible Investment Brokerage (CIB) COA. Extremely rare and historic Star Wars artifact and the quintessential Boba Fett piece. The only other J-Slot prototype we have offered – an AFA 85+ NM+ example – sold at Hake’s for $185,850 in November 2019. Since then, demand and value has steadily continued to rise. Similarly, the equally sought after, but slightly more obtainable L-Slot prototype, has seen an upward trajectory in our recent auctions, with three different AFA 85 NM+ examples selling for $86,383 in March 2018, $112,926 in July 2019 and $165,200 in June 2021.
You can see the damage here by comparing the two images of the one sold at Hakes and another undamaged one. It’s no wonder these were never shipped to disappointed children of the 1980’s.
You can’t help but feel for the former Kenner employees and collectors who sold these throughout the years. Makes the one at CE2 in 2015 that was offered for EURO 13,000 seem a bargain!
Photos (c) Hakes Auctions, Chris Fawcett