The top 10 Star Wars collectibles

It's 30 years since the first Star Wars action figures were released – a staple of any happy 1980s childhood. To celebrate, here is our list of the top ten Star Wars collectibles, from the vintage and rare to new items that should climb in value.

Prices are approximate sale values for new or mint objects in their original packaging – "carded" in the case of action figures.

[Pictured is a Lego Darth Vader, see No. 5 below]

1. Darth Vader with double-telescoping light sabre (Kenner, 1978) - £5,000-plus

The pinnacle of Star Wars collecting, this action figure was one of the groundbreaking range from Kenner that shrunk the format from the GI Joe-standard of 12" to a cheaper and more playable 3 3/4". Each came with accessories – in Darth Vader's case a light-sabre and cape. In the short-lived and most sought-after first issue the latter was "double-telescoping", with a two part beam. Only three carded examples – on their original card mount – are known to exist

2. Vlix (Glasslite, 1985) - £3,000

The Star Wars films have spawned several spin-off television series, among them the short-livd Droids cartoon which followed the exploits of R2-D2 and C-3PO. This action figure of Vlix, an ugly, obscure character from the series, was not released in the US after the second series of the cartoon was cancelled. Instead it was released only in Brazil where it came to the notice of collectors in the 1990s. A handful of carded examples are known. Even loose, it fetches hundreds

3. Luke Skywalker with double-telescoping light sabre (Kenner, 1978) - £2,500-plus

From the same issue as Darth Vadar (No. 1, above), more of these were circulated, hence the lower price tag. Most were issued in an "Early Bird" mail-order pack along with Chewbacca, Princess Leia and R2 D2. Just 15 examples carded for individual sale are known. Several 1978 figures are scarcer, but Luke is an example of a characteristic and scarce vintage original that is nevertheless easily findable in collectible condition (for around £100 without card)

4. Millennium Falcon (Kenner, 1979) - £2,000

Star Wars is about kit as much as characters, hence the appeal of its spacecraft in miniature. This 23" classic version of Han Solo's modified freighter, for use with the 3 3/4" action figures, features a swiveling laser canon, retractable landing gear and a secret compartment with false floor – all fiddly elements which explain the scarcity of mint examples. Another neat touch is the ship's built-in gaming table – a reminder of how Solo acquired it in a match of sabacc

5. X-Wing Fighter (Lego #4502, 2008) - £120

Star Wars Lego went on sale in 1999 and has proved a hit with both Lego's regular market and the Star Wars fanbase. This twin-element set is not available at Lego.com and, at the time of writing, Amazon.co.uk had just three in stock. It isn't hard to see why the 500-piece kit, inspired by Luke Skywalker's sojourn on planet Degobah for Jedi training with Yoda, is so popular. It includes the fighter itself and Yoda's House, plus figures of Luke, Yoda and R2-D2

6. R2-D2 Interactive Astromech Droid 84895 (Hasbro, 2006) - £100

Rave reviews online for this up-to-date 24" offering from Hasbro – one that most collectors will be tempted to test out of the box. This voice-sensitive R2-D2 can dance, hide and seek and obey 40 commands. Ask him about Darth Vader to see his "mood indicator" glow blue and hear the Sad Cantina song. Or ask him about Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to hear the Celebration song. Users note that he can be "temperamental" and "disobediant" but is "a riot"

7. Wicket W Warrick (Kenner, 1985) - £60

The Star Wars spin-off Ewoks cartoon series is especially memorable for its protagonists' high-pitched cries of "Beechawawa". This figure of the lovable and bear-like main character is affordable but has gained steadily in value and should appeal to fans of the cute. Certain purist Star Wars fans disdain the series, however, which some say is "for girls". Incidentally, Wicket action figures based on the film, rather than cartoon, are cheaper

8. Princess Leia (Hasbro, 2003) - £40

Part of Hasbro's Unleashed series, this sultry 7" figure of Princess Leia Organa in golden slave bikini was seemingly designed with adult (male) sensibilities in mind – think Ross of Friends' confession in The one with the Princess Leia fantasy. Its resemblence to Carrie Fisher may be slight, but there is no shortage of positive feedback online and the "sexy" and "electrifying" figure, which retailed at $12.99, is now changing hands in range of £30 to £60

9. SD Darth Vader (Comic Images, 2007) - £6.99

"SD" stands for "super deformed" – a cute style of Japanese animation where the heads of characters account for a third to half of their height (rather than one eighth, as in life). This 7" plush representation shows a very different – huggable – side to the sith lord than the action figure which heads this list and is a big seller – now sold-out at many retailers. Chewbacca from the same line might, however, make for a more comfortable sleeping companion. A 6" Vader is now available for pre-order

10. Chewbacca and Disassembled C-3PO (Hasbro, 2006) - £3

Thanks to Hasbro's Galactic Heroes range of cheap and chunky 2" figures, two much-loved and highly collectible Star Wars characters can be yours for the price of a rip-off sandwich. Critics say that the figures are too stylised – "even the bad guys are cute" – but the toys are widely popular and some lines are already trading at inflated prices on eBay

List compiled by Mark Bridge. Picture courtesy of ashcroft54 at flickr.com

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Comments

[boba fett]

no mention of my action figure, WHY?

[Han]

Dear Anna... if this webpage and the 'losers' that view it are so pathetic, how comes you have time to comment? What do your hobbies entail exactly?

My other half (who happens to be extremely fun), will be selling his star wars items. Maybe when we're enjoying the profits I'll send you a postcard from whatever hot country we visit!!!

[thomas williams]

As a 'loser' in possesion of a massive, ever increasing Star Wars collection I feel I an well placed to say what a shoddy piece of journalism this is. There are far mnore valuable items to be collected (blue snaggletooth being just one) and things on this list are available for fractions of the proces quoted above. It looks like zero research has gone into producing this. They could have at least got someone with knowledge of the subject to write it. Poor.

[Nicholas Calderone]

Hey I have been keeping so much star wars stuff from my childhood is the wampa worth much.

[Steve]

Its a little tragic that some people call others 'geeks' for doing something they enjoy and having a little nostalgia stemming from their childhood. They cleary lead boring little lives with nothing better to do than post meaningless drivel.

Those with such 'geeky' collections can enjoy them safe in the knowledge that are sitting on a nice nest egg and will be laughing all the way to the bank at some point.

[scott]

My kids are playing with my old star wars toys, Jawas with vinyl cloaks worth £400 to geek collectors, small headed Han Solo etc. I enjoyed the movies as a child and enjoyed the toys and my children are enjoying them too. For me there is nothing sadder than a toy that has never been played with...

[Anna]

@KB: Erm. I was SO WRONG. You are TOTALLY COOL. Woodworking, video games, toy collecting, "throwing back a few beers". You the man.

[D]

Bloody hell what a stupid child i was I can't believe I had most of this stuff and just gave it away... I feel sick

[KB]

@ANNA:
1. Beautiful wife (yes, she's extremely attractive; long brown hair, still looks great in a bikini, and has amazing legs)
2. Beautiful 13-month-old son who is the light of my life
3. 3BR home in a well cultured town on the CT shoreline
4. Lots of wonderful friends and family.
5. I love baseball, cooking, gardening, woodworking, playing with my son, shopping with my wife, throwing back a few beers with some good friends, golfing, reading and playing the occasional video game.

Oh, and I'm a TOTAL LOSER because I have an entire room in my house full of Star Wars collectibles-- literally wall to wall. And I love it!
Eventually I'll give it all to my son.
You and your "tragic" comment can kiss my derriere

[Joebacca]

1 (Darth), 3 (Luke), 4 (Millennium Falcon) and 7 (Wicket Warrick) were all stolen along with many others from an attic collection belonging to my brother and I. None of the figures were in mint condition though - far from it in fact. Can't believe Darth Vader was worth 5 grand mint. Jeez, the price of nostalgia. Crazy world, eh?

[Mark Watson]

Just before release of the film my dad wrote to George Lucas who sent him a 20 minute cut for my dad's cine camera.

You can put that to the top of your list!

[Paul Tinker]

I have the Millenium Falcon as stated, boxed. Any offers?

[D Vader]

This blog should be re-named Geek Central...

[G Force]

Star Wars fans are like Apple fans - they will just buy any old rubbish because of a brand name. Indeed, there must be a great crossover between these two sub-groups of society.

[Anna]

I don't know whether it's more tragic that so many losers collect Star War stuff or that the Times found time to write this list