STAR WARS (1978) - BEN (OBI-WAN) KENOBI 12 BACK-A AFA 85 NM+ (DOUBLE-TELESCOPING/SKU ON FOOTER, POP 2/HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE).
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Item Description
The Jeff Jacob Collection is comprised of some of the most impressive selections of Star Wars toys ever assembled, with decades of care and dedication going into Jeff's quest to find the best of the best. No piece best exemplifies this commitment than the most important Star Wars production piece to ever hit the auction block - an AFA 85 NM+ example of the Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi action figure with the initial "Double-Telescoping" (or "DT" as commonly referred to by collectors) lightsaber design. When it comes to vintage Kenner Star Wars figures, the term "Double-Telescoping" never fails to capture the attention of collectors as Kenner only produced three figures with this feature - Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. These three were released before the lightsabers were modified to remove the double-telescoping design due to cost and manufacturing issues. While not noted by AFA, it also bears mentioning that this figure is packaged with SKU on footer.
Due to the massive success of Star Wars upon its theatrical release in 1977, a growing fanbase clamored for more. That fervent anticipation had no small part in cementing the success of Kenner's iconic Star Wars toyline upon its release in early 1978, which saw more than 40,000,000 toys sold that year alone to the tune of over $100,000,000 in sales revenue. That first wave of Kenner toys included the initial "DT" design, which saw limited production numbers before the design changes were implemented. As a result, very few "DT" figures remain in their original state; those that do come to auction bring high interest and even higher prices from collectors. The fact that this example remains unopened and in this high grade condition presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors.
Card exhibits just the slightest trace of edge wear and remains unpunched. A very faint surface ripple can be seen at top center on front of card, but this is only visible in reflected light and does not show on back of card. The blister is crystal clear and free of any cracks/dents. The figure displays wonderfully as carded, with no discoloration to cape and the "DT" saber presents nicely. Card has been encapsulated within one of AFA's Archival cases and AFA subgrades are as follows - C85 B85 F85. There are only two examples of this historic figure in an AFA 85 grade according to current AFA Population Report with none higher.
Hake's has set many Star Wars sales records since presenting the Russell Branton Collection to the collecting community, first setting the record for a production figure when we sold an AFA 80 12 Back-A "DT" Obi-Wan Kenobi for $76,700 in November 2017. Sales continued at a frenzied pace, with a Double-Telescoping Luke Skywalker (AFA 90) selling for $100,252 in a June 2022 auction. The Double-Telescoping Obi-Wan Kenobi offered in this auction is infinitely rarer as carded, and just the fourth carded "Double-Telescoping" specimen we have offered at auction; our last example (AFA 75) selling for $79,178 in November 2022. Since that time, vintage Star Wars figures have continued to climb in value, none more so than the rarest of the rare, which we present to you here, courtesy the Jeff Jacob Collection. This is the first time an AFA 85 example of the Double-Telescoping Obi-Wan Kenobi has been sold at auction.
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