You might have woken up this morning not having Star Wars on your mind.
It is, after all, a Bank Holiday with an above par weather forecast.
But for millions around the globe this is a very special day, with all thoughts fixed on a galaxy far, far, away.
By rights our popular Star Wars auction would have taken place today but, because of the Bank Holiday, it is now taking place on May 5th.
But despite the change of date, we are expecting global interest online and at our Etwall saleroom with some of the rarer lots expected to sell for four figures.
Of course, the significance of May 4th, revolves around the famous line – “May the Force be with you” – uttered by the sage and mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Before long, it had become one of the most recognisable quotations in cinema after the film’s release in 1977.
With next year marking the 50th anniversary of the famous franchise, collecting Star Wars memorabilia has never been more popular.
If you weren’t alive in 1977, or didn’t sit in a darkened cinema when the now iconic text appeared on screen, to the sound of John Williams’ orchestral score, it is difficult to describe the sense of wonder.
When the gigantic Death Star hove into view, viewers gasped – they had never seen anything like it.
Cinema audiences reportedly applauded and cheered during the film as the action unfolded.
When it was released in the US the film became an instant sensation. Long before the internet or social media, word of mouth endorsements sparked queues around the block.
By the time it hit the UK, Star Wars had become a cultural phenomenon.
George Lucas had created a masterpiece.
Here was old-fashioned storytelling – inspired by Flash Gordon serials and westerns – that combined groundbreaking visual effects and fast-paced action.
In Britain our excitement was even greater because of the film was made at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, with Harrison Ford lodging in a flat in Notting Hill.
For a generation growing up in the late 1970s, Star Wars was more than cinema, it became part of their lives.
Children recreated lightsaber duels and mythologised their favourite characters – the farm-boy hero Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Obi-Wan, the plucky Princess Leia and villainous Darth Vader.
Demand for toys exploded almost immediately, catching manufacturers by surprise. The original Kenner action figures became some of the bestselling toys in history and helped create the modern movie-merchandising industry.
Nostalgia is one of the biggest motivating factors in collecting and the global market for Star Wars memorabilia remains one of the strongest sectors in film and entertainment collecting.
Demand is strongest among buyers now in their forties, fifties and sixties who are prepared to fork out on items they once owned – or wished they had owned.
It’s all about trying to recreate the thrill of their youth, with some well-heeled collectors paying record sums for vintage toys, production-used props, posters and signed merchandise.
A solid-limbed See-Threepio (C-3PO) figure made by Palitoy and dated 1978 is expected to make £1,000-£1,500 at tomorrow’s sale, while another figure of the same character by Kenner, dated 1980, has a guide price of £100-£150.
If you are an aspiring Star Wars collector, look out for anything made by Palitoy the Leicester-based arm of the US maker Kenner.
At the time of Star Wars release, Palitoy – which was riding high on the success of its Action Man figures – was sceptical of the market for 3¾in high toys from a, then, little-known film.
So, while Kenner produced Star Wars merchandise in great quantities, Palitoy’s output was more modest, making it all the more appealing to collectors.
The sale also offers a Jawa wearing a vinyl cape (as opposed to the more common cloth one) which is expected to make a jaw-dropping £1,200-£1,500.
If you are thinking of starting a Star Wars collection it is never too late.
Factory-sealed action figures remain among the most sought-after categories, especially rare variants or figures released in limited production runs.
Look out for original trilogy items from 1977–1983 which are increasingly viewed as the “gold standard” of Star Wars memorabilia.
Carded examples of characters such as Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader and Boba Fett continue to command strong prices, while prototype figures and packaging mock-ups are now treated as museum-grade collectables.
There’s a new generation of fans being drawn to the franchise with the latest film, Disney’s The Mandalorian & Grogu – the first Star Wars film to reach cinemas since 2019 – released later this month.
Trust me this market is only going to skyrocket.
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
