Top Vintage Star Wars Collectibles
Top Vintage Star Wars Collectibles
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.
1. Vintage Star Wars Action Figures
- Year Released: 1977-1985
- 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(
)(
).
2. Star Wars Kenner Toys
- Year Released: 1977-1985
- 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(
).
3. Boba Fett Rocket-Firing Prototype
- Year Released: Prototype, 1979
- 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(
).
4. Vinyl Cape Jawa
- Year Released: 1978
- 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(
). It’s a prime example of how small production changes can dramatically affect a toy’s value.
5. Darth Vader Double-Telescoping Lightsaber
- Year Released: 1977
- 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(
).
6. Yak Face Power of the Force
- Year Released: 1985
- 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(
)(
).
7. Blue Snaggletooth
- Year Released: 1978
- 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(
)(
).
8. Millennium Falcon Vintage Playset
- Year Released: 1979
- 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(
)(
).
9. LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 2007
- Year Released: 2007
- 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
10. Star Wars Action Figures Price Guide
- Year Released: Ongoing
- 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.
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