Kenner Star Wars action figures

• 1. The License That Wasn't

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  In 1976, the toy company Mego Corporation turned down a chance to make Star Wars toys. This decision left the door open for Kenner, a division of General Mills Fun Group. Kenner signed a licensing deal with George Lucas and 20th Century Fox in mid-1977. The film had already been released in May 1977, but Kenner was not ready to satisfy demand for their film-based toys. They began serious consideration only after a meeting in New York during February 1977. The delay meant there was insufficient time to produce stock for the Christmas market. Instead, they sold an Early Bird Certificate Package which included a certificate that could be mailed to Kenner. Collectors could redeem this for four Star Wars action figures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2. The box also contained a diorama display stand, stickers, and a Star Wars fan club membership card.

• 2. Design Changes And Sculpting Waves

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  Kenner produced plastic figures usually smaller than four inches or ten centimeters. These were typically poseable at five points on their bodies. During the Empire Strikes Back run, the R2-D2 figure was altered to include an extendable sensorscope. Similarly, C-3PO was resculpted with removable limbs. In 1985, R2-D2 was again altered to feature a pop-up lightsaber. The lightsaber-wielding characters originally featured a double-telescoping saber mechanism. This changed to a single-telescoping mechanism early in 1978. Proportionately more of these were released with the double-telescoping mechanism because the Luke Skywalker figure was part of the Early Bird promotion. Double telescoping Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader figures are comparatively more rare and sought after. Early Han Solo figures had a somewhat diminutive head sculpt. This was later replaced by a larger sculpt. Early Jawa figures were released with a vinyl cape similar to that of Ob-Wan Kenobi. This was later changed to a fabric cloak.

• 3. Cardback Numbers And Collector Value

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  From the period through 1977 to mid-1984, figures sold individually in stores were issued on cardbacks corresponding to the most current movie. Figures were sold on cardbacks with Star Wars designs through to 1980. Then came Empire Strikes Back cards through to 1983. Return of the Jedi cards followed, then Power of the Force cards in 1984. As the number of figures increased, the cardback design would be altered accordingly. The earliest figures released for direct sale in shops were issued on a cardback where the rear illustrated the full range of twelve figures. This became known as a 12-back. The 12-back was supplanted by the 20-back, and subsequently by the 21-back, the 31-back, the 32-back, the 41-back, the 45-back, the 47-back, the 48-back, the 65-back, the 77-back, the 79-back, and the 92-back. There are 57 different cardback front-rear combinations recognized today. These do not include figures released through overseas companies or the Droids or Ewoks ranges.

• 4. Global Licenses And Regional Variations

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  Star Wars figures were offered for sale in a number of countries outside the US. In the UK, the license was held by Palitoy, which imported the figures and packaged them in the UK on Palitoy branded cardbacks. Analogous arrangements existed in Spain with PBP/Poch, in France with Meccano, and in Germany with Parker. In Japan, the line was first controlled by Takara, then by Popy, and finally by Tsukuda. The license was acquired in Australia by Toltoys, while in Mexico it was held by Lili Ledy. Glasslite held the license in Brazil. Takara sold resculpted versions of Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, and C-3PO. Lili Ledy used different paint detailing and different fabric accessories. Glasslite figures were molded using slightly different, glossier plastic. The Glasslite Droids range included a character named Vlix that had not been issued in other countries. This figure was prototyped for the Kenner line but never made it past the stage of being mocked up on a card.

• 5. Auction Records And Market Value

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  Many variations of the figures have been sold at auction for tens of thousands of pounds or dollars during the 2020s. Even standard figures can demand extremely high prices if sold with original packaging. In 1978, sales reached 40 million units accounting for revenue of $100 million. Sales in 1979 again topped $100 million. By mid-1985, demand slowed and Kenner discontinued production of its action figures. A renewed interest appeared by the mid-1990s due to rereleases on laserdisc and VHS. In 2024, a prototype Boba Fett sold for $1.342 million at auction. This became the most expensive toy ever sold at auction. Collectors have been critical of companies or organizations that only buy products to resell at a profit. Such scalpers drive prices higher than many collectors can afford.

• 6. Bootlegs And Unauthorized Copies

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  As the figures were intended as toys, accessories such as weapons and cloaks were often lost. Stickers were frequently damaged once collectors established markets. Some collectors started replacing accessories with reproduction items. These are considered undesirable amongst some collectors where figure variations centering on differences in accessories led to price premiums. Notable examples include the rocket firing Boba Fett prototype and unpainted prototypes of regular figures. While officially licensed figures were produced in many countries, others had no official means of distribution. Manufacturers in some countries released unlicensed bootleg figures. The UZAY line of figures produced by SB Products in Turkey were of high standard. They were often cast in unconventional colors with little regard to authenticity. The quirkiness of these figures with their bizarre psychedelic cardbacks has led to demand from collectors. They frequently demand a high price premium despite being unauthorized copies.