The Top Searched Vintage Star Wars Toys and Why They’re Collectible
Star Wars collectibles, especially the vintage figures from the original Kenner toy line, are among the most sought-after in the toy-collecting world. For fans and collectors alike, these toys are not just relics of a beloved franchise but investments that can appreciate significantly in value. Below, we dive into the most searched long-tail keywords for vintage Star Wars toys, explaining their history and why they’re so collectible. Hyperlinked keywords will guide you to more information about these collectibles on Looking at Toys.
Why It’s Special: These Star Wars action figures are part of the original Kenner toy line, produced to coincide with the release of A New Hope. Characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader were among the first 12 figures. Early versions, known as “12-backs,” because they were depicted on card backs with only 12 figures, are now highly coveted.
Collectibility: The value of vintage Star Wars action figures increases with their rarity and condition. Figures that are mint on card (still sealed in their original packaging) or have rare variations like small head Han Solo are particularly valuable. Collectors will pay thousands for pristine, carded figures(
Why It’s Special: Kenner revolutionized the action figure industry with its 3¾-inch Star Wars figures and playsets, including the Millennium Falcon and TIE Fighter. These toys were initially produced to correspond with the original trilogy, and their quality and durability have made them timeless collectibles.
Collectibility: The rarest Kenner toys are typically those in their original packaging or ones with unique card variations, such as the “12-back” cards or the Palitoy Tri-Logo figures released in Europe. A mint condition Kenner Millennium Falcon can fetch thousands(
Why It’s Special: Initially designed with a rocket-firing backpack, the Boba Fett figure was never fully released due to safety concerns. However, a few prototypes exist, and they are among the most expensive and sought-after Star Wars toys in existence.
Collectibility: This figure’s scarcity and the mystique surrounding the canceled rocket-firing mechanism make it a holy grail for collectors. Recent sales of prototypes have reached up to £153,000(
Why It’s Special: The Jawa figure was originally produced with a vinyl cape, but Kenner quickly switched to a cloth cape to improve the toy’s appearance. The early vinyl-caped versions were only available for a short time, making them extremely rare.
Collectibility: A vinyl cape Jawa in mint condition, still sealed on its card, is highly sought after by collectors and has sold for over £22,500(
Why It’s Special: Early Darth Vader figures featured a double-telescoping lightsaber that extended in two sections from the figure’s arm. This fragile mechanism was quickly replaced with a simpler design, making the original double-telescoping version exceptionally rare.
Collectibility: Double-telescoping Darth Vader figures, especially those still in their original packaging, are among the most valuable vintage Star Wars figures, with sales reaching £23,000(
Why It’s Special: Part of the Power of the Force line, Yak Face was one of the last figures produced by Kenner and was only released in Europe and Canada, making it extremely rare in the U.S.
Collectibility: Due to its limited distribution and quirky appearance, Yak Face is highly prized among collectors. A mint condition Yak Face figure has been known to sell for upwards of £7,000(
Why It’s Special: The Blue Snaggletooth figure was mistakenly produced in the wrong color and height based on incomplete reference material. Once Kenner realized the error, they quickly corrected it, but the blue variant had already been released in the Sears Cantina Adventure Set.
Collectibility: Because of the production error, Blue Snaggletooth is one of the rarest and most desirable Star Wars figures today. Even loose, it can sell for between £1,000 and £3,000(
Why It’s Special: The Millennium Falcon was one of the most iconic vehicles in the Star Wars universe, and Kenner produced an impressively large and detailed playset for the ship. It remains one of the best-selling vintage Star Wars toys.
Collectibility: Collectors value mint, boxed versions of the Millennium Falcon, which can sell for £10,000 to £35,000 depending on condition(
Why It’s Special: This LEGO Millennium Falcon set was one of the largest and most expensive LEGO sets ever produced, with over 5,000 pieces. Discontinued in 2010, it is now one of the most sought-after LEGO Star Wars sets.
Collectibility: Sealed, mint-condition sets can sell for as much as £12,000, making it a key piece for both LEGO and Star Wars collectors
Why It’s Special: Serious collectors use price guides to track the value of vintage Star Wars action figures. Websites and apps like Star Wars Tracker aggregate recent sales data, making it easier to determine how much a figure or playset is worth.
Collectibility: A reliable price guide ensures that you never overpay for a figure or undervalue your own collection when selling(
For anyone serious about collecting or selling vintage Star Wars toys, it’s important to stay informed about their value and rarity. At Looking at Toys, you can explore a wide range of rare Star Wars collectibles, helping you build or sell your collection with confidence.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 Most Valuable Star Wars Toys, detailing why they are valuable and how much they have sold for, specifically in GBP:
1. Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Prototype (1979)
Value: Around £153,000-£245,000
Why: This toy never went into full production due to safety concerns, making surviving prototypes highly coveted. A notable sale occurred in 2022 for £153,000.
2. Vinyl Cape Jawa (1978)
Value: Up to £22,500
Why: Kenner initially used a vinyl cape for this figure before switching to a cloth one, making early versions extremely rare. A mint, carded version has sold for £22,500(
For Star Wars collectors, many of these rare figures can be found at specialist shops like Looking at Toys. You can explore more about rare Star Wars collectibles on their website.
Here are the top 10 tags for your Star Wars toys post, each hyperlinked to your website:
In-Depth Guide to Vintage Star Wars Action Figures: The First 12
When Star Wars was released in 1977, it marked the beginning of one of the most successful and beloved franchises in film history. Along with the movies came a wave of merchandise, and the action figures became particularly iconic. For collectors, the first 12 Star Wars action figures released by Kenner hold a special place in the history of both the franchise and the toy industry.
George Lucas and the Birth of Star Wars
George Lucas, born in 1944, created the Star Wars universe. After the unexpected success of the first film, Lucas leveraged merchandising rights, which led to the creation of the Kenner Star Wars action figures. Kenner, a subsidiary of General Mills, was relatively small at the time but secured the license to produce these toys, which became a monumental success.
The First 12 Star Wars Action Figures (1978)
The initial 12 figures were released in 1978:
Luke Skywalker: Featuring a yellow lightsaber and white Tatooine outfit. Key feature: telescoping lightsaber, making it a unique find.
Princess Leia Organa: Dressed in a white robe with a vinyl cape, complete with a blaster.
Han Solo: Brown vest and white shirt, later versions included a larger head.
Chewbacca: Taller figure with a crossbow.
R2-D2: Dome head that clicks when rotated.
C-3PO: Shiny gold body, known for its tendency to lose paint over time.
Darth Vader: Black suit, with a telescoping red lightsaber.
Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi: Brown robes and a telescoping blue lightsaber.
Stormtrooper: White armor with a blaster rifle.
Death Squad Commander: Gray uniform with a black helmet, later renamed Star Destroyer Commander.
Jawa: Cloth robe in the early version, vinyl in later versions.
Sand People (Tusken Raider): With a gaffi stick and vinyl cape.
Collecting: Carded vs. Loose Guide to Vintage Star Wars Figures
Carded Figures: These are the holy grail for collectors. A carded Luke Skywalker from the original 12-back series can fetch £4,000 to £10,000 depending on condition and the card’s quality.
Loose Figures: More affordable but still valuable. Loose figures can range from £50 to £500 depending on condition, accessories, and rarity.
Manufacturers by Country
Kenner (USA): Produced the majority of figures, known for their distinctive card backs.
Palitoy (UK): Similar to Kenner but with slight variations in packaging and sometimes figure molds.
Meccano (France): Smaller runs, with different card designs and rarer to find.
Lili Ledy (Mexico): Known for minor color variations in the figures, making them highly collectible.
Glasslite (Brazil): Produced unique figures like the Vlix, which are now extremely rare.
The First 20 Star Wars Figures
The first 12 were followed by additional figures to make up the first 20:
Greedo
Hammerhead
Walrus Man
Snaggletooth
R5-D4
Death Star Droid
Power Droid
Boba Fett: Originally advertised with a firing rocket, this was never mass-produced due to safety concerns, making early prototypes incredibly valuable—worth up to £20,000.
Vehicles and Playsets
Kenner also released a number of vehicles and playsets alongside the figures:
Landspeeder: One of the earliest vehicles, featuring a spring-loaded mechanism to simulate hover movement.
X-Wing Fighter: Luke’s iconic ship, with retractable landing gear.
TIE Fighter: Darth Vader’s preferred spacecraft, featuring a unique wing-popping action.
Death Star Playset: A multi-level plastic playset, complete with a trash compactor.
Rarer Versions and Subsequent Releases
As the toy line expanded, certain variants became particularly desirable:
Vinyl Cape Jawa: The earliest Jawa figures had a vinyl cape, quickly replaced by a cloth cape. A vinyl cape Jawa can fetch upwards of £15,000 if carded.
Blue Snaggletooth: Originally included in the Sears Cantina Playset, the blue version was later replaced with a shorter red version, making the blue Snaggletooth highly collectible, often reaching £1,000 to £3,000.
Buyers Guide: What to Look For
Condition: Always inspect for wear, especially on carded figures. Bubbles should be clear and intact.
Authenticity: Be wary of reproductions, especially with rare figures like Boba Fett.
Packaging: The card back and bubble quality can significantly impact the value.
Accessories: Ensure all original accessories are present; missing parts drastically reduce value.
Conclusion
Collecting vintage Star Wars action figures is not just about nostalgia—it’s an investment in pop culture history. The original 12, along with subsequent releases, continue to captivate collectors. Whether you’re looking for carded or loose figures, vehicles, or playsets, the key is understanding what makes each item special.
At Looking at Toys, we offer a wide selection of vintage Star Wars figures and accessories, perfect for both seasoned collectors and those new to the galaxy far, far away. Explore our inventory to find your next collectible piece!
These figures, including the Jawa, were the first in a series that would revolutionize movie merchandising. They represented a pioneering collaboration between filmmakers and toy manufacturers, specifically between George Lucas and companies like Kenner and PALITOY.
The Figures and Their Roles in the Star Wars Universe:
Each figure in the original series represented a character from the Star Wars universe, capturing the essence of the films. Characters like Darth Vader, Han Solo, and Princess Leia were not just action figures but carried the story’s narrative and ethos.
The Jawa figures, although minor characters in the movie, were depicted as mysterious desert scavengers on the planet Tatooine, capturing the imagination of fans and collectors alike.
The range was carefully crafted to represent the diverse world of Star Wars. Each character played a pivotal role in the movies, which was translated into their miniature counterparts.
Collectors particularly value figures like Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, and Yoda for their intricate designs and pivotal roles in the movies.
George Lucas and the Toy Manufacturers: A Revolutionary Partnership:
The success of the Star Wars action figures is also a testament to the visionary approach of George Lucas. He foresaw the potential in marketing these characters as toys, which was a relatively novel idea at the time.
Toy manufacturers, initially hesitant, soon found an overwhelming demand for these figures. This demand led to innovations in toy design and marketing, setting a precedent for future movie merchandise.
Collectors often seek figures in their original packaging, as this adds to their historical and monetary value. The condition of the figure and its packaging, especially for rare items like the vinyl-caped Jawa, is crucial.
The story of these figures is as much about innovation in toy manufacturing as it is about Star Wars. The initial rush to meet demand led to unique variations, like the vinyl cape on the Jawa figure, which are now highly prized.
The legacy of these figures extends beyond their role as toys; they are a part of cultural history, representing a unique intersection of cinema and consumer products.
The community of collectors is a testament to the enduring appeal of Star Wars and its vast universe, making the collection of these figures a fulfilling endeavor for fans around the world.
