For most children of the 1970s and 1980s, the plastic figures and models from the Star Wars films were simply popular toys with which to recreate the adventures of Luke Skywalker and his friends in their struggles against the Empire.
But for some, it seems, they were an investment. Dozens of items of Star Wars memorabilia, kept from childhood by a mystery Norfolk collector, were yesterday sold off at auction for almost £1,500.
The figures, from the first three installations of the Star Wars series, featured characters such as Princess Leia, Hans Solo and Yoda. They were mostly in their original packaging - thus ensuring higher prices from collectors. There were 84 action figures up for sale, along with 13 model spaceships.
They were sold, along with several Star War-themed comics and magazines, for a total of £1,420, at the auction, at Keys, in Aylsham.
The items went under the hammer in separate lots, and were bought by individual buyers, most of whom were bidding online.
The sale, though, did attract one avid Star Wars model collector in person. Iain Sanderson, 37, and from Queen's Hill, in Costessey, paid £252 for four lots. He said: 'Collecting these toys is nostalgic. I'm of an age where they meant a lot to me as a kid. They gave me hours of fun.'
He did not get the items he was hoping for because the online bids went too high. He started collecting six years ago and has filled one room with figures and back cards.
Jill Holliday, valuer of collectables and toys at Keys auction house in Aylsham, said: 'Collecting toys brings back memories of youth. We have gone to technology for so much these days but back in the day children used their imagination with these toys.'
The most expensive lot was 12 stormtrooper figures with three Kenner and five Palitoy back cards which sold for £180. Do you have a rare collection of toys? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk.
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