Episode 52: Leia (Hoth outfit)

The months trickle on as we vacillate between background character and main character in different outfits. Leia Hoth is a great figure. The cardback is great, it works so well with the actual figure standing next to her. It’s like that was the photo they used to sculpt the figure from.

I wasn’t sure what I’d find this month, a main character but just not sure how hard she is to find. I’m sure there will be a few crazy prices – given the state of the market.

Let’s begin …..

Empire Strikes Back

41A AFA80 (C75/B85/F85) $306.88 – eBay listing

41A AFA70 (C80/B60/F85) $200 – eBay link

Now here’s a few 41D’s. The price increase as the quality improves is quite marked ….
Ungraded (clear bubble) but rough card $82.88eBay link

Ungraded (yellow bubble) $150 eBay link

As we move to a graded version we get a decent price bump …

41D AFA80 (C80/B85/F80) $365.66 eBay link

And now it gets crazy … Got to love the AFA85 pieces !!!
41D AFA85 (C85/B90/F85) $1,075 eBay link

So we’ve gone from under $100 for an ungraded, rough but clear bubble to over $1k, having straight 85’s or better really pushed the price on this piece. Personally I thought the $360odd for the AFA80 looks like much better value. Each to their own.

45 AFA80Y approx $299 – eBay listing

47A ungraded $177.50 eBay link

Return of the Jedi

65B ungraded $182.50 – eBay link

77A ungraded $139.99 – eBay link

77A ungraded – eBay listing

Loose graded

AFA90 NM+ $99.99 – eBay listing

All in all a nice selection. The AFA85 41D was pretty crazy, but that’s the theme these days – high grade + main character = big price. But with all the hype and big prices, there are still a number of decent pieces at reasonable prices to be had. Certainly researching, and not being hung up on an “AFA85” piece will put you in a decent position to pick up pieces at a much more affordable price range.

Till next month……

Episode 51: Lobot

39349: Lobot

Now we are moving into well into the background characters. Lobot was an interesting figure as a kid – his hand held the Bespin blaster perfectly (always a plus as a kid). He could also command a squadron of stormtroopers – and then fight against them (double agent of sorts !!). That robotic element on his head was a pretty cool feature.

Now onto the MarketWatch for Lobot. An interesting collection for the month. Prices were pretty reasonable. And was able to find a few cards covered in POTF stickers and clearance price tags – you get the feeling Lobot was still on the shelves when the POTF2 line hit toy shops. And a first for the MarketWatch – an autographed MOC !!!

Empire Strikes Back

41A AFA80 (C75/B85/F85) $180 – eBay link

41A AFA80 (C80/B85/F80) $164 eBay link

41A ungraded $122.49 – eBay link

41B ungraded $131.50 – eBay link

41D ungraded $79.90 – eBay link

41D ungraded (with bonus John Hollis autograph) $107.50 – eBay link

41D ungraded $45.99 – eBay link

45 AFA85Y (C80/B85/F85) ~$280 eBay link

48D ungraded $54.99 eBay link

Return of the Jedi
77A ungraded $121.50 – eBay link

77A ungraded (with Coin offer) $42.25 – eBay link

77A ungraded (with Coin offer) $48.43 – eBay link

Foreign
Trilogo $75 – eBay link

Palitoy 41 back ungraded ~$250 – eBay link

Episode 50: Han Solo (Bespin outfit)

39339: Han Solo (Bespin outfit)

To me this is the definitive Han Solo figure. As a child I had the original figure (12 back release) but mine was the large head and that sculpt, to me, just looks horrid. In fact I didn’t even know the small head Han existed until 10 years ago when I found vintage collecting. As I think about my kids, who watch endless YouTube toy review videos, they know every variant of every figure (LEGO mini figures) and which kits they come in. So it would be impossible for them to not know of a variant. Got to love internet / YouTube.

Whilst I love the Hoth Han figure, given he is wearing that Parker as a kid I would also predominately use Han Bespin (unless I had the odd snow scene battle). So to me this figure is the true Han Solo in Kenner (and who doesn’t love that striping on his pants too!!).

As I write this intro piece I haven’t yet looked at the market. I’m thinking we will see some expensive figures. On to the data …..

Empire Strikes Back

41A AFA85Y – NM+ (C85 /B85 /F85) $370.00 – eBay Auction

41A Ungraded $255.00 – eBay auction

41A AFA80 NM (C75 / B85 / F80) $240.51 – eBay auction

41B Ungraded $81.01 – eBay Auction

POP has been removed, though not very neatly (was it really worth cutting the POP out all those years ago ?)

41D Ungraded $122.50 – eBay Auction

The POP has been cut out – but very neatly. Amazes me the care people went to to cut a POP out for a free figure but then keep the MOC pristine.

41D Ungraded $100 – eBay auction

45 AFA 85Y – NM (C80 / B80 / F85) $319.99 – eBay Auction

48B Ungraded $133.00 – eBay Auction

Prototype

I always like when I can add a proof to the figure of the month data. I wonder if people will look back at this in 3 or so years and be staggered that proofs were selling for not much more than MOC’s. I’m still staggered these things don’t sell for a lot more …

48D Revenge proof AFA85 NM + $590.00. eBay Auction

Return of the Jedi

65B AFA75Y EX+/NM (C75/B85/F85) $199.99 – eBay Auction

Foreign

Trilogo AFA75 (C75/B80/F85) $289.95 – eBay Auction

Summary

All in all I think I was a little surprised at the relative inexpensiveness of a number of these pieces. His debut card seemed priced about where your expect given some of the other 41 backs we’ve seen. There was a big drop off as we worked through the other card backs, though to be fair a lot of the pieces were less than pristine.

My highlight was the proof – really nice piece and I think a good price. The trilogo was also a nice looking piece.

Wampa Wampa.

Episode 49: Dengar

39329: Dengar

It’s been an interesting move from the 31/32 back figures through to the figures first released on the 41 cardback. It was fair to say that almost all of the first 11 figures of the ESB line are pretty well coveted, with Hoth Han, Snowtrooper, Luke & Leia in the Bespin fatigues and Yoda all the subject go many foci. Even FX-7 seems to generate a high level of interest . However the figures first released on the 41 back (in the main) are where the collecting gets a little more niche, and competion for items really starts to drop off. In saying that, though, I’m often surprised at the level of sales for these “background” figures, and there we’re enough Dengar MOCs sold to produce a good report this month.

And with Dengar being a bounty hunter, his interest is bound to be a little higher than Ugnaught. I did manage to almost complete a theoretical run of Dengar with the month’s data. There aren’t a lot of graded examples out there, which I wonder if linked to the fact the bubble crushes pretty easy, and thus any overall grade will be impacted.

Enough of the background chatter, here is the data for the month (fair to say there was little inflation in these pieces relative to some of the other figures we’ve seen in recent months).

Empire Strikes Back

41A Ungraded $81.55 – eBay auction

41A ungraded

41A Ungraded $52.00 – eBay auction

41A ungraded

41C AFA75 Y-EX+NM (C80 / B75 / F85) $122.50 – eBay auction

41C AFA75Y

41E AFA80 (C80 / B80 / F80) $232.50 eBay auction

One of only a few graded figures in this month’s data. The quality of this card is probably worth the $200+ price tag, he’s not an easy character to find with a clear uncrushed bubble.

41E AFA80

41E AFA75Y – EX+/NM (C75 / B80 / F85) $204.19 – eBay auction

  

41E AFA75Y

41E Ungraded $68.00 – eBay auction

41E ungraded

45 Ungraded $42.00 – eBay auction

45A Ungraded

47 Ungraded $112.50 – eBay auction

47 Ungraded

48B Ungraded $127.50 – eBay auction 

48B ungraded

48C Ungraded $24.28 – eBay auction

I haven’t gone back and checked, but this feels like one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest) MOC’s I’ve listed on the blog. This isn’t far off pricing for a modern MOC (well in Australia at least).

48C ungraded

All in all some pretty cheap offerings, if Dengar was in your interest set. His debut card seems pretty cheap, given a lot people like the debut card when completing runs of MOCs this was a little surprising. Though offer less cards are also often coveted, and thus the 41A with its Survival kit offer might be a reason for slightly subdued interest.

The few graded MOCs seemed reasonably priced, given the bubble quality, though the 41C (AFA75-Y) was probably $50 or so over priced, given the yellowing of the bubble. The 41C AFA75, was a pretty good deal at $122.50.

Return of the Jedi

48D AFA80 (C80 / B80 / F80) $151.00 – eBay auction

48D AFA80

 

77A Ungraded $60.00 – eBay auction

Always like finding these MOCs with the Coin offer sticker and multiple price tags. Looks like this guy spent some serious time warming the pegs.

77A ungraded

Foreign

Palitoy 45 ungraded $700 – eBay auction

Palitoy 45 back ungraded

Episode 45: Bespin Security Guard

39810: Bespin Security Guard

I recall Skye and Steve renaming the figure as “Asian Security Guard”. I must say it seemed  appropriate given the look Kenner gave to the figure. The loose AFA figures use the term “curved Mustache” – they really should have gone with “fu manchu”. Anyway I’m sure the guys will have plenty of Debate-D8 on this month’s show around the name…

He’s a figure I recall owning – though not with any particular fondness (though I do recall he easily held that Bespin blaster, and that was always a plus as an 8 year old:)). I know there’s been a few good limelights on Rebelscum of him, so there is some love in the community for him.

On my first scan through the market I didn’t find too many carded examples of the Bespin Security Guard. But when you try a few different search terms I managed to unearthed quite a few.

I found most of his carded variations, including all the 48 backs (ESB and ROTJ). So we came close to putting a full run together – and for a fairly cheap price – if the Asian Security Guard is your kind of figure. Graded MOC’s were very rare, and the ungraded MOC’s were not in great condition at all. I also have included a few loose graded figures – which highlight the price movements across different grades.

Based on the low prices I’d dare say he hasn’t benefited from the price rises we have seen across the market this year.

Here’s what we found:

Empire Strikes Back cardbacks

31A AFA80 NM (C80/B85/F80) $195.50 – eBay link

31A AFA80

31A ungraded $51 – eBay link

31A cardback

31A ungraded

31A cardback

32A ungraded – Clear Bubble $69 – eBay link

32A front

32A cardback

Further sale that reinforces that this guy can be bought fairly cheap….

32A ungraded – Clear bubble $52 – eBay link

32A front

32A cardback

41E ungraded $40.88 – eBay link

41E cardback

41E ungraded cardfront

47A ungraded – Yellowed bubble $20.50 – eBay link

47A front

47A cardback

48A AFA80 NM (C80/B85/F85) approx $200 – eBay link

48A AFA80

48B ungraded $40 – eBay link

48B ungraded

48C ungraded $63 – eBay link

48C ungraded

Return of the Jedi cardback

48D ungraded $34.99 – eBay link

48D ungraded

77 ungraded $39 – eBay link

77 ungraded with Coin offer

Loose Graded figures

I haven’t focused on the loose graded figures for a few months, but thought it was time to re-focus on these. I think the graded loose figures look very nice – and I specifically steered away from any “U” grades. This series of auctions help show the premium (or discount if you look at ti the other way) for the same figure at different grades.

The gold pipping on the jacket is obviously one of (if not the) key driver of the score. You wonder if CGA / AFA keep images of the figures and scores they give out, which they then can compare when grading new figures. I must admit the AFA90 figure looks very nice (it also helps that the seller took a great picture).

All three were described as ‘curved mustache” and again I think the AFA90 version looks the best, with a very solid fu manchu. But given the price differential between the AFA90 and AFA80 – I’m not sure which one I would liked to own :

AFA90 NM/MT+ $99.99 – eBay link

AFA90 NM/MT+

AFA85 $46.38 – eBay link

AFA85

AFA80 NM $21.51 – eBay link

AFA80

Episode 42 – Imperial Snowtrooper (Hoth battle gear)

39740 Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)

As I work my through these figures for the Market Watch I keep learning (correcting mistakes from my childhood). I would have bet this figures was the “Snowtrooper” but all the cardbacks I came across for the MW have him clearly labelled as “Imperial Stormtrooper”. Oh well – correction made !! It’s also interesting that the word “Imperial” is used, but the traditional Stormtrooper didn’t get the “Imperial” pre-ceding his name. Anyway – just some observations.

In this month’s summary I couldn’t help myself and branched out a little to some Imperial Stormtrooper related items. This was the only figure I had as a kid in multiples. I also had the Imperial Attack Base, so its a natural favorite of mine. The selection was pretty good, and as Pete and I have been reporting, the market is certainly continues to power, the 31 backs for the “Snowtrooper” attracted some very decent pricing.

As always here’s the summary, with the detail to follow:

31A AFA85 – $695.88

32B (ungraded) – $250

41A (ungraded) – $163.55

41E AFA80 – $261.00

47 (ungraded) – $280.00

48C AFA85 – $482.53

77A ungraded – $91.00

Empire Strikes Back

31A AFA85NM+ (C85/B85/F85) $695.88 – eBay auction

Straight 85’s – always attracts the ‘high rollers’. I still wonder if these buyers remain happy with spending so much on one figure. I can only imagine they only buy 85’s or higher, so they really don’t know what they are missing. Many 80’s are in great condition, and the 75’s can often be very reasonable condition.

31A AFA85 NM+

31A AFA85 NM+ cardback

31A AFA85NM+ (C85/B85/F85)$660.00 – eBay auction

Very nice piece, though I personally wouldn’t be paying that kind of money for a card that has been punched. Each to their own though.

31A AFA85 NM+

31A AFA85 NM+ – cardback

31A AFA80NM (C80/B85/F85) $670.00 – eBay auction

This is an auction listed by Jeff, from Jeff’s Collectibles. His auctions are great to watch (unless you actually want to buy the item) as he starts them low and almost always gets a solid to high price. His auction ending times seem to be well timed and the low auction start is a great idea. Pete listed some eBay / selling thoughts a few months ago – anyway serious about selling MOC’s / AFA items really should watch how Jeff does it. And his shipping / packing is second to none.

31A AFA80 NM

31A AFA80 NM – cardback

31A ungraded $79.95 – eBay auction

The back of the card has a tear, but compared to the high prices of the graded versions, this was a steal. The auction lasted 15 minutes as a BIN – the seller left a few dollars on the table. Again, best to run auctions starting at 99c, I’m sure he would have got more than $80.

31A ungraded

31A ungraded – cardback

So in summary I’d say there has been a fair inflation of this item in the past few months. Whilst I don’t have specific data, apart from my own 31A (AFA80) that I purchased back in 2006 for $200, these prices are well above what we would have seen a year ago.

Other ESB cardbacks

32B ungraded $250 – eBay auction

32B ungraded

32B (ungraded) cardback

32B ungraded $99 – eBay auction

32B (ungraded)

32B figure

32B ungraded (cardback)

41A ungraded $163.55 – eBay auction

41A ungraded

41A ungraded

41E  AFA80NM (C85/B80/F85) $261.00 – eBay auction

41E AFA80 NM

41E AFA80NM

47 ungraded $280 – eBay auction

47 (ungraded) cardback

47 (ungraded) figure

47 (ungraded)

48C AFA85NM+ (C85/B85/F85) $482.53 – eBay auction

48C AFA85 NM+

48C AFA85 NM+ – cardback

Return of the Jedi

77A ungraded $91.00 – eBay auction

77A (ungraded)

77A (ungraded) cardback

Playsets / Mini Rigs

Whilst not specifically Imperial Snowtrooper items I have added in a few items where the figure gets a run in the packaging. I’m sure the multiple instances of the figure on multiple playsets / vehicles resulted in a lot of multiple purchases of the figure. As I kid aI had quite a few Imperial Snowtroopers, but only one Stormtrooper, I’m sure this was linked to the fact I had the IMperial Attack Base and I “needed” to have multiple instances of the figures.

Imperial Attack Base AFA75 EX+/NM $228.50 – eBay auction

Imperial Attack Base – label

Imperial Attack Base

Imperial Attack Base

Imperial Attack Base

Canadian Imperial Attack Base $175 – eBay auction

Just for Skye, so he can pronounce “imperial Attack Base” in French and so he can drool and wish he’d bought it (and I’ll admit I would have loved a Canadian version of this kit)

Canadian Imperial Attach Base – contents

Canadian Imperial Attack Base

INT-4 ungraded $40.50 – eBay auction

The box is in great condition, its not that easy to find these without the front flap having been folded. The rebate offer is also a nice addition to the pack and helps push the price up a few $$.

INT – 4 ungraded