A Star Wars toy – reduced to 99p at Tesco in the 1980s – rocketed to auction success to sell for 2,000 times its original price.
The Return of the Jedi plastic Yak Face figure, still is in its original packaging, was emblazoned with a retail price of £1.59 – and a 99p Tesco price reduction label.
The 39-year-old toy, manufactured by Palitoy in 1983, went under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on April 20 with a guide price of £800-£1,000 but soared to £2,000. (Lot 217)
It was part of a major collection of Star Wars figures gathered over the last 20 years by a fan of the film trilogy. He auctioned off 37 toys which together sold for £37,500.
But they were far from the only Star Wars toys to reach outer space. Lot 223, The Power of the Force Gamorrean Guard, 1984, made £3,000; lot 224 The Power of the Force AT-AT Driver with Warok Ewok coin, 1984, reached £2,900 and lot 215, The Empire Strikes Back Boba Fett, 1982, made £3,600.
David Wilson Turner, Head of Toys at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It was a fantastic result for a phenomenal collection and I’m delighted for our client. It proves yet again that the Star Wars phenomenon is a force to be reckoned with. There are collectors worldwide keen to bid.
“I was excited to see how well lots 225 and 226 did as they are extremely rare figures. In almost 10 years of working at Hansons, selling multiple Star Wars items, I had never come across them before.
“The Jedi Yak Face with its original 99p price reduction sticker was also fairly scarce. It’s amazing to think a toy on sale for less than £1 in 1983 can make £2,000 today.”
The major collection was sold by a 48-year-old Birmingham man who works in financial services. He said: “I am in shock to be honest. I knew they were valuable but some of them were way above expectations. I hope they have gone to a good home and will be enjoyed as much as I have enjoyed them over the last 20 years.
“I’ve been a big Star Wars fan since the films first came out. I purchased the figures about 20 years ago as an investment to go with my played-with collection from when I was a child. I decided to sell now as I have a family and struggle to find anywhere to display them safely.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “Hansons has sold some impressive Star Wars collections over the years including one which made nearly £10,000 at auction but this result takes us on a voyage into a new galaxy. I’m delighted for all concerned.”
Star Wars took the world by storm with the release of the first film in 1977. It sparked a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon and was followed by The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), forming the original Star Wars trilogy.
The Star Wars collection was sold on April 20 in a Toy and Model Auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall, Derbyshire. To find out more, email David Wilson Turner: [email protected].
