A rare Star Wars toy which was picked out of a bargain bin for just 99p more than 32 years ago has sold at auction for £2,000. A shopper picked up the Yak-Face figure from Return of the Jedi at a Tesco store during the 1980s after it was marked down from £1.59.
It was kept sealed in the original packaging before being snapped up by another collector who then spent 20 years hunting down more toys from the film trilogy. The unnamed buyer's hoard of 37 figures went under the hammer at Hansons' Auctioneers, in Etwall, Derby on Wednesday.
The 99p toy sold for 2,000 times its estimate while his entire collection, which was tipped to make £20,000, fetched an impressive £37,500 in total. The 48-year-old seller, who works in financial services in Birmingham, said: "I am in shock to be honest.
"I knew they were valuable but some of them were way above expectations. I hope they have gone to a good home and will be enjoyed as much as I have enjoyed them over the last 20 years.
“I’ve been a big Star Wars fan since the films first came out. I purchased the figures about 20 years ago as an investment to go with my played-with collection from when I was a child. I decided to sell now as I have a family and struggle to find anywhere to display them safely.”
A rare 1984 Yak Face figure manufactured by Kenner also made £8,600 - triple its £2,000-£3,000 estimate. A 1984 Anakin Skywalker Kenner figure sold for £5,800 while a Power of the Force Gamorrean Guard made £3,000. A Warok Ewok coin reached £2,900 while The Empire Strikes Back Boba Fett toy from 1982 made £3,600.
David Wilson Turner, Head of Toys at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It was a fantastic result for a phenomenal collection and I’m delighted for our client. It proves yet again that the Star Wars phenomenon is a force to be reckoned with. There are collectors worldwide keen to bid.
“I was excited to see how well lots 225 and 226 did as they are extremely rare figures. In almost 10 years of working at Hansons, selling multiple Star Wars items, I had never come across them before.
“The Jedi Yak Face with its original 99p price reduction sticker was also fairly scarce. It’s amazing to think a toy on sale for less than £1 in 1983 can make £2,000 today.
“The Jedi Yak-Face with its original 99p price sticker is fairly rare, hence the guide price. It’s amazing to think a Star Wars toy on sale for less than £1 in 1983 is now potentially worth 1000 times its original price tag.
“Our vendor didn’t purchase it for 99p originally but sourced it 20 years ago for £200. Hansons has seen some impressive Star Wars toy collections including one which made nearly £10,000 at auction, but this is set to be the best yet.
"Our seller has amassed a phenomenal set of figures. There are Star Wars collectors all over the world and the clamour to own rare items is as strong as ever.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “Hansons has sold some impressive Star Wars collections over the years including one which made nearly £10,000 at auction but this result takes us on a voyage into a new galaxy. I’m delighted for all concerned.”
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