It’s easy to underestimate just how much Star Wars merchandise is worth. When George Lucas created the first Star Wars movie, he took a smaller director’s salary in exchange for keeping the rights to sell merchandise. This turned out to be a brilliant move, as those rights made him incredibly wealthy and helped ensure the franchise continued to thrive. The earliest Star Wars collectibles, from the 1970s, are now some of the most valuable toys anywhere in the world.
Paul Scott, a toy collector, passed away unexpectedly last October at the age of 52. His parents, John and June, initially planned to donate his collection to a charity shop. However, after seeing one of the toys featured on the TV show Antiques Roadshow, they decided to have it appraised. They were amazed to discover the collection was worth over $27,000 – around £20,000! The collection features classic R2-D2 and C-3PO figures from 1978 and will be auctioned at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on May 5th.
The Star Wars Collection Was a Lifetime Achievement
John said his friend Paul was a lifelong Star Wars fanatic and incredibly committed to collecting memorabilia. Paul started buying Star Wars toys when he was only five years old and continued to expand his collection for decades. John used to question Paul’s spending, but now he understands. They were amazed to find out how valuable the collection actually was.
John and June are honoring their son, Paul, in a unique way, celebrating his passion for collecting. Paul used to buy countless items hoping to find that one special piece, sourcing toys from around the globe. His parents playfully admit they thought his hobby was a bit crazy, but now realize how exceptional he was. John fondly remembers waiting in line at Argos in 1979 to secure a Millennium Falcon spaceship for Paul, which originally cost £120. The most remarkable item in the collection is a caped Jawa figure, famously featured on the television show Antiques’ Roadshow.
According to David Wilson-Turner, a toy expert at Hansons Auctioneers, Paul was a very knowledgeable collector. He explained that early versions of the Jawa action figure, released in 1977, originally included a thin vinyl cape. However, because it appeared low-quality, it was quickly replaced with a cloth cape, making the vinyl cape version much rarer and more valuable. Figures of R2-D2 and C-3PO, originally sold for just £2, are now predicted to fetch £1,500 apiece.
The Scotts are planning a Star Wars-themed memorial to honor their son, who was an oil and gas engineer in Aberdeen. His sisters, Tracy and Julie, will be at the fundraising sale. It was originally scheduled for Star Wars Day, but had to be moved due to the UK bank holiday.
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2026-05-05 01:12