




“Star Wars” fans are hoping the Force is with them as they bid online Friday on hundreds of rare collectibles from a galaxy far, far away — a week before the latest installment of the space odyssey hits the big screen.
Sotheby’s is holding the online-only sale Friday, with estimates for more than 600 action figures and memorabilia from the collection of Japanese fashion designer and entrepreneur Tomoaki “Nigo” Nagao running from $100 to $35,000.
“Letting go of them is sad,” Nigo, 45, said in a video on Sotheby’s site. “But how do I say it? It’s better to pass things on to the next generation — and this new film is opening at just the right time.”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the seventh film in the iconic franchise, opens Dec. 18.
Nigo’s collection has a heavy emphasis on vintage action figures — particularly Boba Fett — that are still in their original packages.
Among the pricier goodies are two “Power of the Force” coin sets, with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000; a Luke Skywalker figure from 1978 with double-telescoping lightsaber ($12,000 to $18,000); and a Canadian “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” seven-figure multi-pack from 1980 ($8,000-$12,000).
The items with lower estimates include signed Luke Skywalker lightsaber replicas ($1,000-$2,000); “Walking Wind-up” R2-D2 action figure from 1978 ($1,500-$2,500); “Revenge of the Jedi” Boba Fett proof card from 1982 ($3,000-$5,000); Canadian Star Wars Chewbacca 42-inch plush store display from 1978 ($3,000-$5,000); and “Star Wars: A New Hope” stormtrooper helmet replicas ($400-$600).



