Star Wars action figure has become the world’s most valuable vintage toy
The ultra-rare, hand-painted, 3 and 3/4-inch, rocket-packing Boba Fett figurine just fetched $525,000 (approx. €482,000) at auction. It is one of only two known to have survived the production line in the 1970s, officials at Heritage Auctions announced this week.
The model was created by toy company Kenner in 1979 based on the character, who was set to appear in The Empire Strikes Back.
The toy was not available in stores and was to be sent for free to anyone who could prove they had bought four other Star Wars action figures. However, the toys never arrived after reports that competitor Mattel's missile-firing Battlestar Galactica toys had become choking hazards.
Most of the prototypes were destroyed, but a few managed to survive. This particular figure was salvaged from a box of discarded toys, according to a provenance letter from Star Wars expert and dealer Brian Rachfal.
The sale price was more than double another Boba Fett toy that sold for $236,000 (approx. €217,000) in 2022. The price tag also surpassed the $302,000 (approx. €277,000) price set in 2010 for a special Barbie doll that came with a 1-carat diamond, Heritage said in a press release.
The auctioneers said the buyer wished to remain anonymous.