A 3 and 3/4-inch rocket-packing Boba Fett figurine recently made headlines as the most valuable toy in the world, selling for a record $525,000. This figure was hand-painted and one of only two known to have survived from the 1970s production line. Created by toy company Kenner in 1979, this figure was based on the character set to appear in The Empire Strikes Back.
Although this ultra-rare toy was not available in stores, it was intended to be sent for free to individuals who could prove they had purchased four other Star Wars action figures. However, due to safety concerns surrounding competitor Mattel’s missile-firing Battlestar Galactica toys, the Boba Fett figures were never distributed. While most prototypes were destroyed, a few managed to survive, including this particular figure salvaged from a box of discarded toys.
The sale price of $525,000 for this Boba Fett action figure exceeded previous records for toy sales, taking the title of the most valuable toy in the world. The buyer chose to remain anonymous, but Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena expressed excitement about the figure’s record-setting sale. He noted its iconic status in the world of collectibles and pop culture.
