In their recently completed March 2019 premier auction, Hake’s Auctions presented over 100 pieces of Star Wars memorabilia. The slate of Star Wars collectibles contained rarities and high grade material, including several more from the Russell Branton Collection. Encompassing action figures, playsets, vehicles, and related items, Hake’s achieved five-figure prices on key pieces and some results that far exceeded expectations.

A Luke Skywalker 12-back double telescoping AFA 80 fought to $25,311, taking the top spot among Star Wars collectibles and exceeding the preauction estimate of $10,000 to $20,000. This rare figure from Kenner’s 1978 toy line is among the most coveted Star Wars toys, featuring the lightsaber with a second extendable piece that was only available on a small number of figures.

Action figure three-packs were triple threats, with each of the three offered multi-figure sets selling above their estimates. The 1980 Empire Strikes Back Bespin Alliance three-pack Series 1 AFA 75 battled to $24,402. Containing figures of Bespin Security Guard (white), Lando Calrissian, and Luke Skywalker (Bespin fatigues), the set pushed beyond the $10,000 to $20,000 estimate.

The Star Wars Android Set three-pack Series 1 AFA 85 exceeded the $5,000 to $10,000 estimate, realizing $15,705. This early multi-pack set from 1978 houses C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca.

An Empire Strikes Back Imperial Set three-pack Series 2 AFA 80 more than doubled the lower-end estimate when it cleared $10,384. From one of the later series, the 1981 set features the Imperial Commander, Dengar (Bounty Hunter), and AT-AT Driver.

“Since we began selling items from the Branton collection back in November of 2017, the auction records we continue to set for Star Wars material is nothing short of spectacular. From the start, the Star Wars collecting community has praised us for the way we have promoted and represented this collection. Deeply rooted in high grade and rarity, the auction results are simply a biproduct of the overall scope and quality of the Branton collection,” Hake’s President Alex Winter said. “Along the way we have acquired other Star Wars collections and single piece consignments and the results have followed suit with what we have done with the Branton collection. The results speak for themselves; Hake’s has established itself as the auction house for this material and we have much more in store with our upcoming auctions.”

Many action figures offered in the auction sold in the thousands. A Boba Fett 21-back-B AFA 85, which is the earliest carded edition of the figure, brought $8,260. The Power of the Force Gamorrean Guard 92-back AFA 85 that came on an unpunched card reached $4,319. A Power of the Force AT-AT Driver 92-back AFA 80, that comes with the AT-AT driver and Warok aluminum collectors coin that was only issued this way as an Australian exclusive, hammered for $4,023.

Proof cards proved to be popular with bidders, led by the Power of the Force Weequay blank back Cromalin card AFA 90, which sold for $5,841. The hand-cut card with four square corners and white edges went beyond the $2,000 to $5,000 estimate. Another Power of the Force entry was the Walrus Man 92-back proof card AFA 90 that hit $4,543. Featuring a printed back, the hand-cut card with four square corners, this is the highest graded by AFA.

Playsets were among the standout sales, led by the Cantina Adventure Set AFA 80 Sears exclusive, which cleared $6,282. The set includes the backdrop and floor, as well as figures of Snaggletooth, Greedo, Hammerhead, and Walrus Man. Of particular note, this set contains the “Blue Snaggletooth” figure in a blue outfit and silver boots, which was never released as an individual, carded figure.

An Empire Strikes Back Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Set AFA 80 did not leave bidders cold, rising to $2,714, well over the $700 to $1,000 estimate. The set from 1980 contains the snowscape base with action lever, laser radar cannon, and chipboard backdrop with elevator.

The auction resulted in several vehicle toys crushing estimates. An Empire Strikes Back INT-4 5-back mini rig AFA 80, featuring the Interceptor vehicle with remote operated wings and movable laser cannon drove to $3,699, decimating the $200 to $400 estimate. The special offer Darth Vader TIE Fighter AFA 80 with special complete battle scene setting, went well beyond the 1,000 to $2,000, when it flew to $3,151. A Millennium Falcon diecast DCA 80 special offer version with the hyper-space battle scene more than tripled the lower-end estimate, by realizing $3,009.

“We will have a booth at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago that takes place April 11-15. Kelly McClain and Mike Bollinger will be there to discuss our upcoming auctions and take consignments,” Winter said. “If it is vintage Star Wars, don’t hesitate to contact us to see what Hake’s can do for you.”

All prices include the 18% buyer’s premium. A full list of prices from Auction #226 can be seen on Hake’s website by viewing the Wednesday and Thursday lists.