A HAND-PAINTED, ROCKET-FIRING BOBA FETT ACTION FIGURE, THE HIGHEST-GRADED OF ITS KIND, LED HERITAGE AUCTIONS’ DEC. 4 ACTION FIGURES & TOYS SALE, UNDERSCORING THE ENDURING DEMAND FOR THE GALAXY’S MOST LEGENDARY BOUNTY HUNTER.
By Intelligent Collector staff
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Graded Near Mint 80 by Collectible Grading Authority, this example is the highest-graded hand-painted prototype known. Distinguished by an alternate paint scheme with two extra colors, the figure was once part of musician Rick Springfield’s famed Star Wars collection and authenticated in 2008 by Collectible Investment Brokerage’s Tom Derby.
“This is truly a unique figure,” said Justin Caravoulias, Heritage’s Consignment Director for Action Figures & Toys. “These are one-of-a-kind pieces that serve as a sort of genesis for these toys; it’s how kids first saw them and why they wanted them.”
The Boba Fett prototypes were originally intended as a promotional giveaway in 1979, following the character’s debut in the Star Wars Holiday Special. But after reports of choking hazards tied to other missile-firing toys, Kenner glued the rocket in place before distribution.
That cancellation made the few surviving rocket-firing prototypes legendary. ABC News once described them as having “mythic, unicorn-like status.”
The Dec. 4 auction also introduced collectors to long-lost original Star Wars packaging artwork and other prototypes, including early versions of Luke Skywalker and the cantina creatures. Yet it was Boba Fett, in both art and action-figure form, who once again proved to be the star of the sale.
With this historic result, Heritage reaffirmed that when it comes to selling the rarest Star Wars collectibles, Heritage Auctions is the best place for consignors and collectors alike.