Hake’s Jeff Jacob Collection Auction Runs Jan. 16 to Feb. 4
In an auction series that so far has totaled $3.55 million, the Jeff Jacob action figure collection is already enshrined in pop culture history as one the hobby’s most bankable of all time. But as New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and this headline-making series still has many more surprises to unveil before the last of the Jacob trove has been sold. Part IV of Jeff’s extraordinary collection of rare Star Wars and G.I. Joe figures, Transformers, and other collectible treasures will take the spotlight at Hake’s in an auction that closes on February 4. The complete 451-lot catalog will post in its entirety on January 16, while a preview is available to view right now at hakes.com.
Probably few collectors have ever laid eyes on a complete set of all 92 Star Wars (1977-1985) uncirculated AFA-graded action figures that Kenner released for their Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Power of the Force toy lines. Just such a set is a major highlight of the fourth offering of toys from the Jacob collection. Each loose figure is encapsulated and individually graded by AFA. This auction marks the first time a complete set of its type has ever appeared at auction. As if that were not enough of an enticement, the auction lot also includes a bonus selection of 22 variants, duplicates, and Spanish-language Lili Ledy figures, bringing the total count for this lot to 114 figures. (Note: lot does not include figures released for Droids or Ewoks cartoons.) Estimate: $25,000-$35,000
The most coveted of all production figures in the sale is a Star Wars double-telescoping Luke Skywalker 12-back-C action figure, AFA 85. At the time of cataloging, only eight “clear blister” examples in AFA 85 grade were registered in the current AFA Population Report, with only three of those eight graded higher than the auction example. In addition to its great rarity and fine condition, Jacob’s double-telescoping Luke Skywalker has the added distinction of being the very one illustrated in John Kellerman’s 2003 reference book Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide For Collectors. It is entered in the February 4 auction with expectations of earning $50,000-$75,000.
A boxed 16-inch-long Kenner Star Wars Radio-Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler is AFA 85 and is part of a set that includes an elevator, opening side panel, and original radio control unit. The wireless control enables both forward and “arching” backward movement of the treaded vehicle which, according to Star Wars lore, was used by Jawas on the desert planet Tatooine. At the time of cataloging, only seven examples in AFA 85 grade were documented in the AFA Population Report. The one from Jacob’s collection is only the second in its exceptional grade ever to be auctioned by Hake’s. It is expected to achieve a winning bid in the $10,000-$20,000 range.
Big and impressive, The Empire Strikes Back Millennium Falcon Spaceship AFA 85 represents one of the most sought-after pieces in Kenner’s Empire Strikes Back range. Its box describes the contents as: “Sturdy plastic spaceship with: ‘battle alert’ action sound, folding landing gears, folding entrance ramp, opening cockpit, removable rear hatch, secret hiding compartment, space chess game table, practice ‘remote’ ball, revolving radar dish and clicking laser gun with seat.” It’s a toy that would have provided hours of hands-on amusement for a child, along with a high potential for incurring scuffs and dings along the way. “To find a Falcon in this high condition is unheard of,” Hake’s General Manager Kelly McClain said. “We have never before offered an example of this toy in an 85 NM grade – the AFA Population Report indicates there are only two. We could be in for a surprise on auction day.” The toy is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.
Another auction entry that was designed to stoke a youngster’s imagination is Kenner’s Star Wars Death Star Space Station playset AFA 85. Its long list of accessories, as detailed on the box, includes “Working elevator, exploding laser cannon, trash compactor with moving wall, alien trash monster, opening light bridge, trap door and rope swing to safety.” McClain noted that it is “very hard to find this toy boxed and in this high grade,” adding that there are “none graded higher” in the current AFA Population Report. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
The Power of the Force AT-AT Driver 92-back AFA 85 was issued exclusively in Australia with an encapsulated Warok aluminum coin. Only the AT-AT Driver and Nikto character were released in Australia in the specific packaging that included the intentionally mismatched Warok coin. Only eight examples of this particular Australian release figure appear in the AFA Population Report in an AFA 85 Y-NM+ grade. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
The auction also includes approximately 20 Kenner pre-production proof cards for figures from Revenge of the Jedi. An R2-D2 pre-production proof card AFA 85 (blank name) has blanks where the character’s name and manufacturer’s name were intended to appear. Such cards were created before the movie’s title was changed from Revenge of the Jedi to Return of the Jedi. The card is unpunched and imprinted with a “Free! Nien Nunb” action figure offer at its lower right. The presale estimate is $5,000-$10,000.
A fan favorite from Hasbro’s 1985 Transformers Series 2 is the Jetfire (Autobot Air Guardian), which, according to its window box tagline, “Transforms from Super Jet to robot and back!” It employs “Super Valkyrie mecha design” from the 1982-1983 Japanese sci-fi anime TV series Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, produced by Tatsunoku. AFA 80 and marked with the “Registered” logo, this desirable Series 2 toy is estimated at $2,000-$5,000.
More than 100 Hasbro G.I. Joe figures will be waiting for the bidding battles to begin. From the 1984 G.I. Joe release, a Series 2 32-back Snake Eyes (Commando), 3.75 inches tall on a punched blister card with a peach-colored classified info file card on verso, is AFA 75. Its auction estimate is $2,000-$5,000.
Online bidding is open on all items from the Jeff Jacob Collection Part IV from January 16 to February 4. The catalog can be viewed and bidders can sign up to bid at https://hakes.com. Questions about any item in the auction or to request a complimentary printed catalog (abbreviated version), Hake’s can be reached at (866) 404-9800 toll free or (717) 434-1600; or email hakes@hakes.com.
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Hake’s Jeff Jacob Collection Auction Runs Jan. 16 to Feb. 4
In an auction series that so far has totaled $3.55 million, the Jeff Jacob action figure collection is already enshrined in pop culture history as one the hobby’s most bankable of all time. But as New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over,” and this headline-making series still has many more surprises to unveil before the last of the Jacob trove has been sold. Part IV of Jeff’s extraordinary collection of rare Star Wars and G.I. Joe figures, Transformers, and other collectible treasures will take the spotlight at Hake’s in an auction that closes on February 4. The complete 451-lot catalog will post in its entirety on January 16, while a preview is available to view right now at hakes.com.
Probably few collectors have ever laid eyes on a complete set of all 92 Star Wars (1977-1985) uncirculated AFA-graded action figures that Kenner released for their Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Power of the Force toy lines. Just such a set is a major highlight of the fourth offering of toys from the Jacob collection. Each loose figure is encapsulated and individually graded by AFA. This auction marks the first time a complete set of its type has ever appeared at auction. As if that were not enough of an enticement, the auction lot also includes a bonus selection of 22 variants, duplicates, and Spanish-language Lili Ledy figures, bringing the total count for this lot to 114 figures. (Note: lot does not include figures released for Droids or Ewoks cartoons.) Estimate: $25,000-$35,000
The most coveted of all production figures in the sale is a Star Wars double-telescoping Luke Skywalker 12-back-C action figure, AFA 85. At the time of cataloging, only eight “clear blister” examples in AFA 85 grade were registered in the current AFA Population Report, with only three of those eight graded higher than the auction example. In addition to its great rarity and fine condition, Jacob’s double-telescoping Luke Skywalker has the added distinction of being the very one illustrated in John Kellerman’s 2003 reference book Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide For Collectors. It is entered in the February 4 auction with expectations of earning $50,000-$75,000.
A boxed 16-inch-long Kenner Star Wars Radio-Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler is AFA 85 and is part of a set that includes an elevator, opening side panel, and original radio control unit. The wireless control enables both forward and “arching” backward movement of the treaded vehicle which, according to Star Wars lore, was used by Jawas on the desert planet Tatooine. At the time of cataloging, only seven examples in AFA 85 grade were documented in the AFA Population Report. The one from Jacob’s collection is only the second in its exceptional grade ever to be auctioned by Hake’s. It is expected to achieve a winning bid in the $10,000-$20,000 range.
Big and impressive, The Empire Strikes Back Millennium Falcon Spaceship AFA 85 represents one of the most sought-after pieces in Kenner’s Empire Strikes Back range. Its box describes the contents as: “Sturdy plastic spaceship with: ‘battle alert’ action sound, folding landing gears, folding entrance ramp, opening cockpit, removable rear hatch, secret hiding compartment, space chess game table, practice ‘remote’ ball, revolving radar dish and clicking laser gun with seat.” It’s a toy that would have provided hours of hands-on amusement for a child, along with a high potential for incurring scuffs and dings along the way. “To find a Falcon in this high condition is unheard of,” Hake’s General Manager Kelly McClain said. “We have never before offered an example of this toy in an 85 NM grade – the AFA Population Report indicates there are only two. We could be in for a surprise on auction day.” The toy is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.
Another auction entry that was designed to stoke a youngster’s imagination is Kenner’s Star Wars Death Star Space Station playset AFA 85. Its long list of accessories, as detailed on the box, includes “Working elevator, exploding laser cannon, trash compactor with moving wall, alien trash monster, opening light bridge, trap door and rope swing to safety.” McClain noted that it is “very hard to find this toy boxed and in this high grade,” adding that there are “none graded higher” in the current AFA Population Report. Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
The Power of the Force AT-AT Driver 92-back AFA 85 was issued exclusively in Australia with an encapsulated Warok aluminum coin. Only the AT-AT Driver and Nikto character were released in Australia in the specific packaging that included the intentionally mismatched Warok coin. Only eight examples of this particular Australian release figure appear in the AFA Population Report in an AFA 85 Y-NM+ grade. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
The auction also includes approximately 20 Kenner pre-production proof cards for figures from Revenge of the Jedi. An R2-D2 pre-production proof card AFA 85 (blank name) has blanks where the character’s name and manufacturer’s name were intended to appear. Such cards were created before the movie’s title was changed from Revenge of the Jedi to Return of the Jedi. The card is unpunched and imprinted with a “Free! Nien Nunb” action figure offer at its lower right. The presale estimate is $5,000-$10,000.
A fan favorite from Hasbro’s 1985 Transformers Series 2 is the Jetfire (Autobot Air Guardian), which, according to its window box tagline, “Transforms from Super Jet to robot and back!” It employs “Super Valkyrie mecha design” from the 1982-1983 Japanese sci-fi anime TV series Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, produced by Tatsunoku. AFA 80 and marked with the “Registered” logo, this desirable Series 2 toy is estimated at $2,000-$5,000.
More than 100 Hasbro G.I. Joe figures will be waiting for the bidding battles to begin. From the 1984 G.I. Joe release, a Series 2 32-back Snake Eyes (Commando), 3.75 inches tall on a punched blister card with a peach-colored classified info file card on verso, is AFA 75. Its auction estimate is $2,000-$5,000.
Online bidding is open on all items from the Jeff Jacob Collection Part IV from January 16 to February 4. The catalog can be viewed and bidders can sign up to bid at https://hakes.com. Questions about any item in the auction or to request a complimentary printed catalog (abbreviated version), Hake’s can be reached at (866) 404-9800 toll free or (717) 434-1600; or email hakes@hakes.com.
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