05 June 2018
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Someone had the foresight to bag this cardboard advertising item from Boots back in 1983: it might well be unique.
The Vectis 26 April TV & Film auction carried much of interest to Star Wars buffs but aside from the more usual (and certainly not cheap!) carded figures, two very interesting lots surfaced.
The Vectis 26 April TV & Film auction carried much of interest to Star Wars buffs but aside from the more usual (and certainly not cheap!) carded figures, two very interesting lots surfaced.
The Palitoy Star Wars/Boots The Chemist Return of the Jedi 1983 promotional cardboard store display was, to say the least, highly unusual. On one side it was printed with the film’s details whilst on the rear, the rather less prosaic rubric "Boots - so much more to value" was inscribed. Suffering edge wear, creasing, tears and some dings, as well as surface scratches, it was only classed as fair plus to good.
The vendor, 12 at the time, apparently saw the display and asked the store what became of such merchandising. On being told that the items were usually binned, the vendor then asked if it could be passed over when the time came for its disposal. Name and address were given and the vendor dutifully turned up on an agreed date to bag the prize. A perspicacious youth, without doubt, who mentioned that another example was not known. Estimated at £1,200-1,500, it realised £1,800.
Rather scarcer was the Star Wars original movie poster acetate transparency dated and signed 1977. It came with a letter of authenticity from the vendor and a Notarised LOA from the California Jurat. Created in 1977 by artist Bill Selby and submitted to George Lucas at 20th Century Fox Studios, Lucas used the acetate in the approval process for what is now the rarest of all Star Wars movie posters. At 8.5" x 11" and matted to 11" x 14", Selby’s acetate was just one example of his work. A famous cover artist, he was well known for his Star Wars paintings and Famous Monsters covers. Definitely one for the connoisseur, this little gem soared away to make £3,600.
Another lot of note was the Kenner Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back vintage Cloud City Playset. Graded at 75%, it was open but with sealed contents. With an outer case in excellent condition (save for some minor scuffs), this lot was estimated at £400-600 but on the day was pushed to £1,020.