Out of this world for C-3PO

The recent Vectis TV & Film sale featured a host of old Marvel and DC comics, Star Wars collectables, Dr Who merchandise, Action Man, Lego and even some good old home grown children’s comics, like the Beano and Dandy.

The interest in the area of Star Wars never abates: take the Master Replicas Limited Edition Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper Blaster, in excellent condition, complete with its box and all inner packaging. True, the certificate was absent but that didn’t deter bidders from blasting it all the way to £648 against a £300-400 guideline.

Or the French Guerre des Etoiles Return of the Jedi carded C-3PO. One arm was detached, his gold head exhibited signs of rubbing and the blister wasn’t perfect; nonetheless the £150 top estimate was laughable, for this camp little plastic robot went into orbit, fetching a stunning £1,050. And that was small beer when compared with the Palitoy/General Mills Star Wars Tri-Logo Yak Face. In exceptional condition and mounted upon an un-punched card, it was estimated at £1,000-1,200, but went on to make £1,440.

Into the comics: a Marvel Bronze Age No1 issue realised £132; whilst the Marvel Bronze Age Star Wars comics, numbers 2 to 60 (but lacking No. 42 but including some duplicates) raised £156. But the most unusual lot of the sale had to be the Charlie Chaplin letter from October 1915 to a young fan who had enclosed an image of himself dressed as Mr Chaplin. Although a bit torn and faded, it came with provenance. One for the silent movie era devotee, it was bid to £360.