STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) - PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA (BESPIN GOWN) 12-INCH SERIES UNPRODUCED PROTOTYPE DOLL.
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End Date:
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
When Kenner began preparing for the Empire Strikes Back release, a continuation of the 12-Inch series was planned, with four new 12-Inch dolls to be added - Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues), Han Solo (Hoth Outfit), Lando Calrissian and Princess Leia (Bespin Gown). Ultimately these were not produced due to the poor sales that the previous 12-Inch series had received. Despite this, work had started on these new figures, with box flats and/or comp sheets having been produced for each figure (see following lot for Empire Strikes Back Han Solo box flat). No Kenner promotional material featured these figures, the only advertising for them appeared in French Meccano material. None of the unproduced Empire Strikes Back dolls were released in France or anywhere else.
Offered here is a 12" tall Kenner action figure prototype, consisting of a 1978 stock Princess Leia body that has different, hand-painted head w/very similar facial features as seen on the 1978 Star Wars dolls, but differs from that earlier release in that the hair on this prototype has been hand-rooted in a different pattern, the holes on the head being arranged in a different manner to more closely resemble Leia's hairstyle as seen during the Bespin scenes in The Empire Strikes Back. The outfit is entirely hand-crafted, w/brown stitched cloth tunic and leggings, felt collar w/gold-colored thread stitched accents and attached sheer pattern gown. Outfit does not come with belt or shoes as the final release doll would have, as no new plastic pieces were produced for these prototypes (we offered a Han Solo doll with Empire Strikes Back prototype outfit that featured hand-painted boots and belt sourced from the previous 12-Inch release). Braided hair accent and bun on back of head remain intact.
Only a handful of these prototypes were produced by Kenner and they rarely come to market. This incredibly rare Empire Strikes Back prototype offers a glimpse at what might have been. Comes with Collectible Investment Brokerage (CIB) LOA.
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