Another auction has closed at Hake’s Americana & Collectibles, once again reaching a new record – this time at $2,357,183. For the second auction in a row the Star Wars Collection of Russell Branton achieved many top spots. Several noteworthy sales in the auction that closed on March 13-15, 2018, were made on the high grade collectibles and rarities, with several exceeding preauction estimates.

The biggest seller among Star Wars toys was the Boba Fett rocket-firing prototype which flew to $86,383. This (L-slot) action figure from the 1979 Kenner line was graded AFA 85 NM+. It rose well over the $35,000 to $50,000 estimate.

The Darth Vader double-telescoping 12-back-A AFA 70 EX+ ended at $64,900, nearly doubling the low-end estimate of $35,000. This figure from the 1978 toy line is the rare double-telescoping lightsaber that extends farther than the regular version.

The series heroine led the charge for the Rebels with a Princess Leia 12-back-A hammering for $29,500. Graded AFA 95 Mint, this figure from the ’78 toy line sold for almost $10,000 over the high-end estimate of $20,000.

One surprise in the sale was the Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader special offer bounty hunters case that reached $14,160. Graded AFA 75 EX+/NM, the 32-back figural action figure case from 1980, sold well over the $2,000 to $5,000 estimate.

A Power of the Force Admiral Ackbar 92-back proof card AFA 90 NM+/MT from 1984 hammered for $9,204, nearly doubling the high-end estimate of $5,000.

The three-pack sets were very successful, realizing prices well above their estimates. The Hero Set three-pack series 1 AFA 90 NM+/MT brought $14,684 over the estimate of $5,000 to $10,000. This set from the 1978 line includes Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Empire Strikes Back Imperial Set three-pack series 3 AFA 85 NM+ brought $9,086. From the 1982 line, it features figures of Zuckuss, AT-AT Driver, and TIE Fighter pilot. It almost doubled the high-end estimate of $5,000.

The Droid Set three-pack series 2 AFA 80 NM ended at $6,490, more than tripling the low-end estimate of $2,000. This set from ’79 contains figures of R5-D4, Death Star Droid, and Power Droid.

All prices include the 18% buyer’s premium. To read about other top sales in this auction, check out our coverage in Auction Prices. For complete details on prices realized in Auction #223, visit hakes.com.