…In a saleroom not that far away one of the finest collections of Star Wars memorabilia ever assembled is to go under the hammer – and could fetch £50,000.
The vast alliance put together by a major enthusiast since the turn of the millennium will be sold at Duke’s of Dorchester on July 2.
The anonymous collector from Dorset has decided that now is the time to part with the eclectic mix of galactic memorabilia that fills several rooms.
There are 500 lots consisting of thousands of items valued at just a few pounds each to hundreds of pounds each.
Among the star lots is a tiny 1977 Jawa figure with the original vinyl cape that could fetch £500. And a Boba Fett figure with a rare rocket launcher could go for the same amount.
Hundreds of collectable figures remain in their packaging and there are items connected with the original films right up to those from the modern cartoons.
There are models, clothing, games, toys, books, videos and all manner of merchandise from the George Lucas phenomenon.
The vendor said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed searching endlessly to find the many different variations of all the figures, craft and as many associated items as possible.
“The huge diversity of items has made this a monumental undertaking, and finding some of the rare American-only items and exclusives has been a real challenge.
“Over the 15 year period in which I have been collecting I think I have been able to build as complete a collection as has ever been amassed including items from the first film in 1977
right up to the most recent cartoons.
“I have endeavoured to find examples in as near to mint condition as possible, and I have always sought original packaging and good condition in all the items I have purchased.
“Whilst putting together this collection I have been fortunate enough to find some real rarities including the Jawa figure with original vinyl cape and the Boba Fett figure with the rare rocket launcher attachment.
“These figures in particular get ever harder to find and prices have gone ever upwards during my time as a collector.
“The collection has grown to a huge size and I now think it is time to move on to other different collecting fields and I hope the items I have enjoyed owning go on to give other collectors as much pleasure as they have given me.”
Matthew Denney, an auctioneer from Duke’s, said: “It is a remarkably thorough collection and there are items that will appeal to collectors at all levels of this market.
“We have sold collections of Star Wars memorabilia on a number of previous occasions and have always found a really good reception for items of this type.
“With the huge interest in Star Wars and the new film ‘The Force Awakens’ in cinemas soon it seems likely that there will be no shortage of interest in years to come.
“It is most unusual for such an extensive collection to come to auction and this may well represent an excellent opportunity for buyers to acquire rare items many of which are in very good condition.”
Other items included in the sale are Millennium Falcon models, X Wing fighters, At At vehicles, Yoda and droid toys, posters, games and ephemera.
The first film in the series, Star Wars, was released in 1977 and two more films followed in the original trilogy.
Later three ‘prequels’ were made and the franchise includes other spin-offs. The total money made by the franchise is said to be more than £17bn.
