Hake’s Auctions achieved a total of $2.5 million in their first premier auction of the year on March 19-20, 2024. The stellar offering of historical and pop culture memorabilia included rare and sought-after Star Wars action figures and related toys. Several of the Star Wars toys landed among the auction’s top sellers with some setting new records.

The Palitoy Return of the Jedi General Madine Tri-Logo 70-back-B AFA 60 realized $42,242, more than double its $20,000 estimate. The Tri-Logo blister features text in English, Spanish, and French, and the line of toys were sold throughout multiple European countries. General Madine, however, was only released on a Tri-Logo card in France. This figure is one of just ten AFA-graded examples and the first Hake’s has offered in any condition. It set a record for a General Madine figure in any condition.

Falling just behind Madine was the Jawa 12-back-A AFA 85+ (vinyl cape) that hammered for $36,603, just over its $35,000 estimate. This is the early version of the Jawa figure that was made with a vinyl cape rather than the more commonly seen cloth one. The high grade toy features a cape free of any discoloration and the card is unpunched, making it the best example that Hake’s has ever offered.

A Star Wars Early Bird Mail-Away Kit AFA 85, featuring Luke Skywalker (double-telescoping lightsaber variety), Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2, totaled $25,960, setting a new record for the Early Bird kit in any grade. They come with the original white mailer box without a mailing address label ever having been adhered to it, the vacuform plastic tray that the figures came in, a mini-catalog advertising the Star Wars action figure line, and mail-away offer for the Early Bird Premium Collector Stand.

The Revenge of the Jedi mock-up concept proof card AFA ng with an alternate Revenge logo eclipsed the $20,000 estimate to realize $22,066. It was made using an Empire Strikes Back Bespin Security Guard 45-back blister card and the front has completely hand-done mixed media design. Not only does it have the Revenge title from before the movie was renamed Return of the Jedi, the logo is also strikingly different in a comic book-like design.

The 12 Action Figures long display header AFA 70 that advertises Kenner’s first wave of Star Wars action figures released in 1978 cleared $8,800. The 11-3/4” x 35-1/2” long display header features large “Star Wars Action Figures” text alongside images of the first 12 figures – Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Stormtrooper, Jawa, Sand People, and Death Squad Commander.

The Return of the Jedi Ewok Village action playset proof sheet AFA 80 more than quadrupled its $2,000 estimate when it sold for $8,437. The box proof is flat and unused with color bars and registration marks as printed. It comes from the Tad Moore Collection.

A rare Empire Strikes Back Action Display stand boxed set reached $7,512. The set contains the action figure display stand box, display stand with name label strip, Star Wars backdrop card, and action figures of Luke Skywalker (Bespin), Princess Leia (Bespin), Lando Calrissian, Bossk, Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth), and FX-7 (medical droid).

Additional top sales among the Star Wars toys included the Takara Darth Vader 7” Series AFA 80+ for $7,398 (over the $5,000 estimate), Early Bird Certificate Package CAS 80+ for $6,684, the Power of the Force Yak Face 92-back AFA 70 for $6,555, and a Return of the Jedi Princess Leia (Boushh disguise) conceptual mock-up with blaster pack for $6,490.

The prices realized in Part I and Part II of Hake’s Auction #240 are available on their website.