One of the rarest pieces of Star Wars memorabilia in existence is up for auction this week, a rare “J” hook Boba Fett figurine worth at least $150,000. As one of the most successful franchises of all time, rare Star Wars collectibles like this Boba Fett action figure can easily fetch five- or six-figures at auction.
Boba Fett may have had a small role in the original Star Wars trilogy, but he quickly became a fan favorite. His role was expanded in George Lucas’ prequel trilogy, and the character also stars in The Mandalorian, the highly anticipated new Disney+ television series that debuts this November. Disney+ recently released a new trailer for The Mandalorian, and the timing of the auction probably isn’t a coincidence.
Hake’s Auctions opened bidding on this rare figurine just as the new trailer went online. Alternatively known as either the “J” hook Boba Fett or Rocket-Firing Boba Fett (RFBF), this 1979 prototype figurine is undoubtedly the rarest Star Wars collectible on the market. This figurine features a hidden spring that fires a plastic rocket out of the character’s signature jet pack. However, in product testing, safety experts deemed the rocket a choking hazard. As a result, the rocket feature was canceled. Hakes Auctions reports that only 24 of the Boba Fett figurines survived, and many of them are now in very poor condition. The Hake’s Auctions website values this figurine at $200,000 to $500,000. As of this article’s publication, 13 bids have been entered, with a top bid of $146,772.38. The Boba Fett auction closes in 10 days on Thursday, November 7.
This particular “J” hook Boba Fett doll has a unique origin story. The figurine was originally owned by one of the prototype’s safety testers, who were ultimately responsible for the collectible’s six-figure value. John Howison was a co-op engineering student at the University of Cincinnati when he worked as a product tester for Kenner Reliability & Safety. Up to 100 of the “J” hook figurines were shipped to Kenner from a manufacturer in Hong Kong, and when Howison ended his career as a safety tester, he took home the surviving Boba Fett action figures as a memento. Today, the only Star Wars collectibles that rival the price of the “J” hook Boba Fett are actual props from the original films. When Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber went up for auction, it was valued at a similar $150,000 price tag.
When Disney+ launches in November, the Star Wars franchise will be one of its biggest draws. Within 24 hours of its release, the new trailer for The Mandalorian had more than 4.5 million views on Youtube. Considering that the depiction of Boba Fett in the prequels left something to be desired, fans have waited a long time for new stories about the bounty hunter. Already, Disney has ordered a second season of the show. As fans await the launch of Disney+, the banned “J” hook Boba Fett figurine proves just how devoted Star Wars fans can be.
Next: The Mandalorian Connection To Star Wars Prequels Revealed
Source: Hake’s Auctions
