Hake’s Auction #232 contains a multitude of desirable pop culture and historical collectibles from many eras. As can be expected, one area that dominates this Hake’s premier event is top notch Star Wars memorabilia, featuring some of the most desirable and rare pieces.  

Starting things off, is the galaxy’s popular bounty hunter Boba Fett rocket-firing prototype L-slot AFA 85 NM+. This unpainted 3-3/4” figure was pulled from Kenner’s 1979 toy line because the rocket-firing capability was considered a choking hazard. This example was recently re-cased by AFA with their updated laser cut casing style.

Among the rarities is The Empire Strikes Back “Collect All 48 Action Figures” hanging mobile display CAS 80+. This three-sided point of purchase display advertises Kenner’s 1982 toy line. Two of the sides show photo assortments of the figures set in front of Cloud City/Hoth and Death Star/Tatooine, then the third side showcases the nine new figures in larger scale.

The Glasslite Star Wars: Droids Vlix AFA 60 Ex is the rarest of all Star Wars figures offered commercially. The 4-1/4” figure comes from the 1988 collection that was only released in Brazil due to the cancellation of the animated series in the US.

The only AFA-graded example of PBP’s Empire Strikes Back Han Solo 41-back AFA 85 NM+ is in the auction. Made for the 1982 Star Wars: El Imperio Contraataca toy line, the PBP variety Spanish card is unpunched.

The Star Wars: Ewoks Series 2 Paploo salesman’s sample AFA 80 Y-NM contains the  2-1/2” figure with accessories and B-Wing Pilot collector’s coin. Based on the 1985 Ewoks animated show, it was proposed for a Series 2 that was not produced. Paploo was one of the last two characters in the line to be produced in full production quality.

Outside of official merchandise is the Return of the Jedi Imperial Gunner Uzay AFA 60 Q-Ex released in Turkey in 1988 by SB Products. These unlicensed figures have attained cult status among collectors for the bizarre modifications and often humorous card art. This example features an image of the figure in front of an everyday calculator rather than Death Star controls.

The rare Empire Strikes Back Action Display Stand AFA 75 Q-Ex+/NM containing six action figures is also in the auction. The display features Luke Skywalker (Bespin), Princess Leia (Bespin), Lando Calrissian, Bossk, Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth), and FX-7 (medical droid). Made for Kenner’s 1980 line, each figure is still sealed in the original Hong Kong baggies.

One of the earliest action figures is the Star Wars Jawa 12-back-A AFA 85 NM+ (vinyl cape). The 2-1/4” figure is from the first line of Star Wars toys that Kenner produced in 1978. It features the vinyl cape which is only available on this early variety before it was switched to a cloth cape for later releases.

Another multi-character lot is the Star Wars Villain Three-Pack Series 1 square box/round punch sample AFA 60 Ex. Housed in the original window box, it contains a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, and a Death Squad Commander from the ’78 line. This type of packaging is preproduction in nature and did not reach production with the characteristics on this box.

Rounding out some of the highest tier material is the Empire Strikes Back C-3PO (removable limbs) first shot reddish brown/clear limbs action figure AFA 80 NM from Kenner’s ’82 line.

Hake’s Auction #232 is open for bidding now and will close next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 29-30, 2021.