Sotheby’s, for nearly three centuries the auction house for the world’s most expensive art and priciest jewellery, will next month offer something just as rare: an action figure of Luke Skywalker with double-telescoping lightsaber.
With the impending release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Sotheby’s has announced its first auction of Star Wars collectibles.
More than 600 action figures are being sold, including the Skywalker double-telescoping, which was quickly withdrawn from general sale because the potentially child-choking lightsaber snapped off too easily. One of only 20 confirmed examples, it comes with an estimate of $12,000-$18,000 (Dh44,065-Dh66,098).
The collection is being sold by Sotheby’s on behalf of the Japanese fashion designer Tomoaki Nagao, better known as Nigo, who said: “As a designer, I have always been inspired by Star Wars. I am honoured to be launching this sale and hope that it will bring excitement to Star Wars fans around the world.”
Other rarities include a tri-logo action figure of General Madine. The figure is one of 12 known examples and comes with an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.
As well as the figures, there are Darth Vader helmets, stormtrooper blasters, autographed lightsabers, vintage film posters and a Jabba the Hutt cookie jar. There are also sets of backing cards for figures that say Revenge of the Jedi, the original name of the third film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi — before George Lucas decided a true Jedi would never seek revenge, but would hopefully keep coming back.
Other items in what will be an online auction on December 11 include two Star Wars Power of the Force coin sets from 1985, with an estimate of $25,000-$35,000. At the more affordable end of the scale will be a Star Wars: Attack of the Clones clonetrooper helmet at $500-$700.
Nigo, who founded the ultra-trendy streetwear label A Bathing Ape, has been a voracious collector of pop culture memorabilia since he was six. In one interview, he admitted: “I actually like the packaging more than I like the toys.”
Sotheby’s last year sold more than 250 items from Nigo’s collection at a sale in Hong Kong, which fetched $4.5 million, more than double the pre-sale estimate.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases in UAE cinemas on December 17.