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1626 . STAR WARS : THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK ( 1980 ) - PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA ( BESPIN GOWN ) 12-INCH SERIES UNPRODUCED PROTOTYPE DOLL . 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 . 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 . $ 25,000.00 ( Open Estimate )
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