1 . STAR WARS ( 1978 ) - BEN ( OBI-WAN ) KENOBI 12 BACK-A AFA 85 NM + ( DOUBLE-TELESCOPING / SKU ON FOOTER , POP 2 / HIGHEST GRADED EXAMPLE ). 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 oncein-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 . ( Open Estimate ) $ 50,000.00
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