Southeby's has announced their first ever Star Wars collectibles auction to coincide with the release of the 7th film, The Force Awakens.

Sotheby’s has announced that it will be holding its very first Star Wars Collectibles auction, which will coincide with the imminent release of the new Star Wars film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This will be the first auction of its kind to be held by Sotheby’s, which has long been known for selling fine wines, jewellery and art.

Amongst the lots is a rare Luke Skywalker action figure that comes with a double-telescoping lightsabre. This item is highly sought-after due to the fact that it was swiftly withdrawn from general sale soon after release because the lightsabre broke too easily and it was, therefore, deemed to be a potential choking risk. There are only twenty of these figures confirmed to exist and, as such a rare item, this figure is estimated to sell for $12,000 (£7,800) to $18,000 (£11,800).

In addition to the Luke Skywalker figure, over six-hundred Star Wars action figures are up for sale. Amongst other rare items is a tri-logo General Madine action figure that is estimated to fetch between $10,000 and $15,000 because it is one of just twelve known figures in existence.  

Other high value items include two 1985 coin sets (Star Wars Power of the Force), which carry an estimate of between $25,000 and $35,000. There are also items for those with a more modest budget, including a clonetrooper helmet from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, which has an estimate of $500 to $700.

In addition to the figures, the auction includes a range of Star Wars collectibles including such items as a Jabba the Hutt cookie jar, Stormtrooper blasters, vintage film posters, autographed lightsabers and a variety of different character helmets. The auction also includes sets of figure backing cards that have the third film’s original name on them: Revenge of the Jedi. George Lucas then decided that a true Jedi wouldn’t seek revenge and so the film was renamed Return of the Jedi.

Sotheby’s is auctioning the Star Wars collection on behalf of Tomoaki Nagao. Nagao, who is more commonly known as Nigo, is the Japanese fashion designer famed for founding the trendy streetwear label A Bathing Ape (BAPE). The designer has been collecting pop culture memorabilia ever since he was six years old. He has said that Star Wars has always been an inspiration to him and that he hopes the collection will excite Star Wars fans across the globe.

Last year, several hundred items from Nigo’s collection were sold by Sotheby’s in a sale in Hong Kong that raised $4.5 million, which was more than double the estimate. Sotheby’s Star Wars Collectibles auction will be held online on the 11^th of December, one week prior to the release of the latest, and highly-anticipated, Star Wars film that will hit cinema screens on December 18^th. The auction catalogue can be viewed online at Sotheby’s website.