The parents of a lifelong Star Wars fan were “gobsmacked” when they discovered their late son’s collection could be worth up to £20,000.
John and June Scott’s son Paul died last October from a heart attack aged just 52.
The couple, who had thought about giving the collection to charity, was staggered when Hansons Auctioneers put a price tag nudging £20,000 on it, when it goes under the hammer on May 5.
Paul Scott was five when he started his collection sparking a decades-long obsession with the famous franchise.
John, 74, said: “He 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.”
The couple hopes to spend the proceeds on a Star Wars themed memorial to their son, a keen cyclist, who worked as an onshore oil and gas engineer in Aberdeen.
June remembers queuing at Argos in 1979 to make sure Paul was the first boy in the street to own a much-prized Millenium Falcon Spaceship, which appears in the sale with a guide price of £120.
She said: “He was obsessed with Star Wars. We knew the collection was worth something when we saw Fiona Bruce talking about a caped Jawa on Antiques Roadshow and thinking, ‘Wow – Paul’s got one of those.’”
The ultra rare vinyl caped Jawa – one of the desirable figures ever produced from the original Star Wars toy line – is expected to make £1,200-£1,500 at the sale in Etwall.
Hansons Auctioneers’ toy expert, David Wilson-Turner, said: “There is no doubt Paul was an astute collector. When the figure of Jawa first appeared in 1977, it had a thin vinyl cape. But after it was considered too cheap looking it was soon replaced by a cloth one, meaning the vinyl version is much rarer and highly sought after.”
Two other rare figures by Palitoy – one of R2-D2 and the other C-3PO – which would have retailed for less than £2, are each expected to make £1,500 each.
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 will represent 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
