The Star Wars offerings in Hake’s auctions have become one of the most popular sections of their premier events, attracting serious collectors and consignors. Recently, they consigned a selection of new discoveries of rare early production items found in Minnesota. Three important pieces from that discovery are now open for bids in Auction #228.
The Sand People 12-back-A AFA 75+ (SKU on footer) has no punch in the card and is believed to be the earliest known carded sample of the figure. This example never reached the final stage of production where the hang tab would have been perforated for store display. That makes the no punch card unique and it is the first to come to market of any Star Wars 12-back figures. This 1978 piece also comes with a yellow SKU stand that was likely from the Chewbacca figure.
“There is rare and then there is this,” Hake’s Consignment Manager Kelly McClain said about the figure. “We have not seen nor heard of this no punch on any Star Wars 12-back figure. If you are looking for something unique this is the piece for you.”
The new discoveries includes a Ben Kenobi double-telescoping 12-back-A AFA 70+ with white footer. This ’78 toy contains the initial double-telescoping lightsaber which features a second extendable piece that is different from the other versions. It comes with a white footer that denotes it is from early in the production process and also has a square cut blister with slightly lighter card back. There are few known carded examples with the white footer, making this very rare.
The final early production discovery out of Minnesota is the Han Solo 12-back-A AFA 60 with white footer. This toy from ’78 toy comes on an unpunched card and is on a white figure stand.
The significance of the footers on these figures verifies how early they were in the production process. McClain elaborated that they “were used early in the production run when the actual footers for the figures have not been decided upon.”
Hake’s consigned these fresh discoveries after McClain learned through social media that the consignor was interested in selling the toys. Once McClain reached out to him, the consignor, “agreed that Hake’s would be the best choice to sell his pieces.” This trio represents the first offerings from that group of rarities, as McClain confirmed that more will be sold in upcoming auctions.
These pieces from Minnesota are joined by nearly 400 other lots of Star Wars collectibles in Hake’s auction, which includes a Boba Fett J-slot rocket-firing prototype. The auction is open for bids now through November 6-7, 2019.
