This Near-Perfect Luke Skywalker Figure is a Collector’s Grail But One Packaging Detail Could Make it the Ultimate Find

Kenner’s Star Wars line is highly coveted among vintage toy collectors. Released just after A New Hope, the initial wave featured 12 action figures, three vehicles, and a display stand. The line eventually expanded over time, with the release of more movies, including not only more character and starships, but also entire playsets. As the collector’s market dictates, the older and rarer a figure, the more valuable it is. However, if a figure happened to be discontinued for some reason or features a promotional sticker of some kind, it’s value will most likely skyrocket. But what if an action figure had both? We already know that Kenner Star Wars figures with the iconic double-telescoping lightsaber are in high demand, but this figure of Luke Skywalker might be more valuable thanks to Target.

A recent listing on Heritage Auctions features Kenner’s original Luke Skywalker with the double telescoping lightsaber. Graded AFA 85, there are only three such figures in better condition. Considering all this, we can expect its value to go off at light speed once bidding opens on August 25th. However, this particular figure might fetch a price even higher than expected, as its packaging includes the original Target price tag. You can see it at the top right of the packaging, almost taunting us with a $1.99 price. In today’s market it could end up costing almost 5,000 times the original cost. This figure ticks almost every box when it comes to what a collector looks for in a vintage toy, almost as if it’s the Chosen One.

This Kenner Luke Skywalker Action Figure Has Everything A Collector Wants In A Vintage Toy

Firstly, we know Kenner’s Star Wars toys are already highly popular among collectors, and this AFA 85 graded Luke Skywalker figure is among the crème de la crème, as it’s part of the first wave of figures put out by the manufacturer. On top of that, the aforementioned double-telescoping lightsaber is something every Star Wars fan wants to get their hands on. This is primarily because Kenner discontinued them in favor of single-piece versions due rising costs and reports of breakage. This makes figures with these lightsabers ultra-rare, highly coveted, and resultantly, very valuable. This would usually be enough for collectors to start a bidding war, but there are two more aspects that could drive up its price even further.

If you look at the top of the packaging, you’ll notice that the hang-tab is punched, but not removed. While it adds nothing to the figure itself, the fact that the tab hasn’t been removed to hang it on shelves, further adds to its value. And finally, the aforementioned original Target price tag on the packaging makes it stand out from other similar Luke Skywalker figures, regardless of their grading. The collector’s market is clearly a strange place with its own rules. Even the tiniest and most insignificant thing can affect the value of an item, and could dictate the difference between a rare item and a Grail. If you’re a collector that likes ticking all the boxes when it comes to an item’s rarity and value, this Kenner Luke Skywalker figure might be the toy you’re looking for.