‘Star Wars’ Collectibles to Hit Sotheby’s Auction Block for First Time
Over 600 Star Wars action figures and collectibles will be auctioned off at the famed house Sotheby’s on December 11th, The Guardian reports.
Long known as the premier place to purchase fine wines, art and jewelry, the Sotheby’s Star Wars auction is the first of its kind, but fittingly features a number of extremely rare items. Among the lots are a Luke Skywalker figurine with a double-telescoping lightsaber, which was deemed a choking hazard and removed from shelves (estimated to sell between $12,000 to $18,000); a tri-logo action figure of General Madine ($10,000 to $15,000); and a 1985 Star Wars Power of the Force coin set ($25,000 and $35,000).
The items — which are available to peruse on the Sotheby’s site — come from the collection of Japanese designer Tomoaki Nago, known as Nigo, who founded the streetwear label, A Bathing Ape. On the Sotheby’s site, Nigo noted the immense influence Star Wars has had on his work, but he’s long been a fan and collector of toys and figurines. Last year, Sotheby’s sold more than 250 pieces from his collection for $4.5 million, more than double the original pre-sale estimate.
While action figures (still in their original packaging, of course) make up a good chunk of the auction, Nigo’s Star Wars collection also boasts unique items like replica props. A Boba Fett helmet signed by Jeremy Bulloch is expected to sell for between $800 to $1,200, while lightsaber replicas signed by Mace Windu, a.k.a. Samuel L. Jackson, and the two Darth Vaders themselves — voice James Earl Jones and the man behind the mask, David Prowse — could fetch between $1,000 to $2,000.
Also available: A 42-inch plush Chewbacca ($3,000 to $5,000), and several lots filled with character trading cards that read, Revenge of the Jedi, the film’s original title. George Lucas ultimately changed it to Return of the Jedi after deciding a real Jedi would never seek revenge
The Sotheby’s Star Wars auction will take place a week prior to the December 18th opening of J.J. Abrams’ highly-anticipated franchise reboot, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.