Collecting world rocked by discovery of rare Star Wars toys in original factory cartons

 

Star Wars 12C Luke Skywalker DT with double-telescoping lightsaber, mint on card. Estimate $10,000-$20,000

DENVER, Pa. – Just when Star Wars collectors thought they had seen it all, along came The Morphy Find. That’s the name that has been given to a recently unveiled trove of rare, high-condition Star Wars toys that sat undisturbed in original Kenner shipping cartons, largely forgotten, since the 1970s/’80s.

Continue reading

Hake’s brings more rare Star Wars, vintage video games to auction, Nov. 15-16

Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – The quest for early Star Wars collectibles has reached a fevered pitch, but the auction market tells us the journey is just beginning. Interest in Star Wars items is stronger than ever, especially for prototypes and samples, rare variations, and toys produced in low numbers or no numbers at all. To some, it may seem that Hake’s – the auction house holding numerous world records for Star Wars material – has already sold the ultimate rarities from that wildly popular category. But exciting surprises continue to emerge, some from unexpected sources, and those fresh consignments and new discoveries will be front and center at Hake’s November 15-16 pop culture auction. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Star Wars comic strip art leads galaxy of greats at Hake’s, July 26-27

One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – If modern art aficionados could be granted one wish, it might be the discovery of a major, previously unknown Picasso. While Picasso lovers may have a very long wait ahead of them, those who revel in the uniquely imaginative art and imagery of the Star Wars saga just might have their wishes granted on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, when Hake’s auctions six extraordinary artworks from Star Wars’ earliest days. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Golden and Silver Age Marvel Comics unleashed superpowers at Bruneau

Copy of Timely Comics Marvel Mystery Comics #9, graded CGC 4.0, $40,000
Copy of Timely Comics Marvel Mystery Comics #9, graded CGC 4.0, $40,000

Copy of Timely Comics Marvel Mystery Comics #9, graded CGC 4.0, $40,000

CRANSTON, R.I. – A copy of Timely Comics Marvel Mystery Comics #9 from July 1940 sold for $40,000 and three other vintage comic books topped the $10,000 mark at a Spring Comic, Toy & Sports Auction held May 21 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers. Also, a 1970s or 1980s Wayland Flowers Madame puppet cracked the top ten.

Continue reading

Hake’s launches all-Star Wars auction of prototypes and rarities, June 2

Boba Fett L-slot rocket-firing prototype action figure, predecessor to the Boba Fett figure in Kenner’s popular 1979 Star Wars toy line, 3.75in tall, AFA-graded 80+ NM (archival case). Encapsulated with notarized CIB COA. Estimate $100,000-$200,000

YORK, Pa. – In the investment-obsessed world of fine art, scarcely a week goes by without some new auction record being set, either for a particular artist or art genre. Hake’s Auctions, the groundbreaking Pennsylvania company that has specialized in pop culture memorabilia since 1967, also rewrites the record books with regularity, but not with Picassos or Van Goghs. It has become known as “The House of Star Wars” because of its consistent ability to achieve world-record prices for prototypes and other rarities from the fabled sci-fi film franchise. With collector demand at an all-time high, Hake’s has responded to the call by adding something new to its roster: an online auction dedicated exclusively to Star Wars memorabilia. The debut “Special Event” has opened for bidding and will run through June 2nd.

Continue reading