Two ultra rare, ‘holy grail’ Star Wars figures, which retailed for just $2,97 (£2,25) in 1985, made a combined total of £3,350 at auction – part of a collection which made £17,600.
The plastic figures were produced by the US maker Kenner to accompany the short-lived, and widely panned, cartoon spin off series Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO.
David Wilson-Turner, toys expert from Derby-based Hansons Auctioneers, where the figures were sold on May 5, said: “Ironically the Droids toy line by Kenner sold poorly because the cartoon wasn’t popular. So many shops discounting their stock. But because the production was cut short is exactly why the toys are so valuable now.”
The sale’s top seller was a Droids Boba Fett figure, which fetched £2,100 (more than 10 times its low estimate of £200) while an even lesser-known character – a Droids A-Wing Pilot, achieved £1,250 – beating its guide price of £300-£400.
David continued: “Late-era Droids figures – once overlooked at retail – are now among the most sought-after pieces in vintage Star Wars collecting. As part of a short-lived and underproduced line, surviving carded examples are increasingly difficult to source, driving sustained collector interest.”
The Boba Fett figure sold to an anonymous private buyer from Swansea, with the A Wing Pilot selling to a buyer in Norfolk.
Left to right: Lot 55, a graded 1985 Kenner Star Wars Droids A-Wing Pilot, sold for £1,250; Lot 7, a graded 1978 Palitoy C-3PO “Solid Limbs” (12 Back) figure, sold for £1,400; and Lot 54, a graded 1985 Kenner Star Wars Droids Boba Fett with cardback and coin, sold for £2,100.
Both Droids came from the collection of the late Paul Scott – a lifelong Star Wars who died last year from a heart attack aged 52.
His parents, John and June Scott, who – not realising its worth – had been on the verge of giving the collection to a charity shop, were “delighted”.
John Scott said: “I’m really pleased with the result. I didn’t know anything about the Droids, or what they were, but they’ve gone to someone who will really appreciate them, so that’s the main thing. We’ve done Paul and his collection proud.”
Before the sale he said: “Paul was nuts about Star Wars all his life and totally dedicated to his collection. I used to ask him why he was wasting his money on it. Well, I know now. We were flabbergasted when we discovered what it was worth. But it’s not about the money, we just want to honour him and show him how proud we are.”
A rare figure by Palitoy of C-3PO – which would have retailed for less than £2 – sold for £1,700 while a full-size Boba Fett Blaster fetched £1,350.
A rare vinyl caped Jawa – one of the desirable figures ever produced from the original Star Wars toy line – made £950 at the sale in Etwall.
Hansons Auctioneers’ toy expert, David Wilson-Turner, said: “It was a great sale and we were delighted to have been trusted with this great collection which had been valued at £2,500 by a dealer. It included some rare pieces which highlighted Paul’s skill as a collector.
Yorkshire-born John, who lives in Elgin in Scotland, continued: “Paul bought boxes and boxes of things just hoping to get the one piece he was after. He acquired pieces from all over the world. We thought he was nuts, but it just goes to show how special he was.”
Paul’s two sisters Tracy and Julie represented the family at the sale, due to have taken place of May 4 – Star Wars Day – but postponed due to the Bank Holiday.
Auction Details
Auction: The Star Wars Auction
Auction date: 5th May 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
