A batch of ‘gold dust’ Star Wars toys made in Coalville are expected to be sought after by fans across the world at auction.
The find comes as Star War fans prepare to join forces to celebrate the movie phenomenon. Star Wars fever has gripped the world since the release of the first film in 1977 and now May 4 is Star Wars Day. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase ‘May the Force be with you’, hence ‘May the Fourth be with you’.
It’s hoped many of those fans will be over the moon to learn that a collection of untouched Star Wars figures, in their original packaging and made at the old Palitoy factory in Coalville, Leicestershire, will be coming up for sale at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers on May 23.
David Wilson-Turner (below right), toy valuer at Hansons, said: “We have 15 original Palitoy Star Wars toys, together with four Action Force figures, and collectively they could make more than £1,000.
“Original Star Wars figures are hugely sought after. In our last toy auction in February, 60 vintage Star War toys made by Palitoy more than trebled their original estimate of £2,000-£3,000 to sell for £9,240.
“When they are unopened and in their original packaging collectors go mad for them, they are like gold dust, such is the power of the Star Wars phenomenon.
“In our February sale, many Star Wars lots had estimates of £40-£60 but sold for hundreds. For example, an original Star Wars Return of the Jedi tri-logo carded action figure, Yak Face (above left), sold for £700 from a £40-60 estimate, and sets of five original vintage Star Wars Stormtroopers made around £400 each.
“I understand from the vendor selling the Star Wars figures in our May sale that they came from someone who used to work at the Palitoy factory in Coalville.
“You can tell they have never been in a shop because some of them still have the piece of cardboard which would normally be popped out to place them on a metal shop fitting.
“Toys are highly collectable but not just Star Wars toys. We hold regular specialist toy, teddy, dolls and railwayana auctions at Hansons.
“A set of Steiff toy skittles, dating back to around 1900 and found at a free valuation day fetched £2,000 at auction.
“Boxed Corgi and Dinky toy cars and trucks and tinplate vehicles are in demand too. It’s a buoyant market.”
If you’re sitting on a toy treasure trove, or any antiques and collectables that could hook you a windfall, Hansons holds regular valuations days in Leicestershire. Their experts will be at Marlborough Square Methodist Church, Marlborough Square, Coalville, LE67 3WD, on April 17, 10am-1pm; The Dew Drop Inn, 49 Loughborough Road, Hathern, LE12 5HY, on April 9, 10am-3pm, and The Manor House, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, LE12 8AL, on April 24, 10am-1pm
Entries are invited for Hansons’ May 23 Toys, Trains, Railwayana, Dolls and Teddies auction until May 4. To find out more, visit www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.
