Star Wars toy found in a 99p Tesco bargain bin in Yardley sells for £2,000

A rare Star Wars toy which was picked out of bargain bin for just 99p more than 32 years ago has sold at auction for £2,000.

A shopper picked up the Yak-Face figure from Return of the Jedi at a Tesco store during the 1980s after it was marked down from £1.59.

It was kept sealed in the original packaging before being snapped up by another collector who then spent 20 years hunting down more toys from the film trilogy.

The unnamed buyer’s hoard of 37 figures went under the hammer at Hansons Auctionners, in Etwall, Derbys, today (Wednesday 20 April).

The 99p toy sold for £2,000 while his entire collection, which was tipped to make £20,000, fetched an impressive £37,500 in total.

The 48-year-old seller, who works in financial services in Birmingham, said: “I remember seeing lots of figures for sale for 10p each in a shop called Crash Bang Wallop in the Swan Shopping Centre in South Yardley, Birmingham, in about 1986, when interest in the films had waned.

“I was still at school and they had a full box of about 50 toys, all rare examples of the last 17 figures.

“How I wished I had the money at the time. I just bought one and it’s still in my played-with collection.

“I’ve been a big Star Wars fan since the films first came out.

“I purchased the figures about 20 years ago as an investment to go with my played-with collection from when I was a child.

“My favourite lot is a figure of Anakin Skywalker.

“It’s rare as the original actor’s appearance in the films has been cut with a different actor.

“I’m surprised by the rarity value of some of the toys as they were much more common when I purchased them.

“I’m selling now as I have a family and struggle to find anywhere to display them safely. It feels like the right time to sell.”

Auctioneer David Wilson Turner said prior the sale: “The Jedi Yak-Face with its original 99p price sticker is fairly rare, hence the guide price.

“It’s amazing to think a Star Wars toy on sale for less than £1 in 1983 is now potentially worth 1000 times its original price tag.

“Our vendor didn’t purchase it for 99p originally but sourced it 20 years ago for £200.

“Hansons has seen some impressive Star Wars toy collections including one which made nearly £10,000 at auction, but this is set to be the best yet.

“Our seller has amassed a phenomenal set of figures.

“There are Star Wars collectors all over the world and the clamour to own rare items is as strong as ever.”

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