Vintage Kenner Star Wars Action Figures Collector Guide
Star Wars toys revolutionized movie merchandising in the 1970’s and the toy industry as we know it. The action figures, accessories, and related items have become some of the most popular collectibles in the toy market. In fact, their popularity spurred toy maker Hasbro to begin making new figures in 1995, with no end in sight.
While many Star Wars fans continue to buy the new figures, the toys produced from 1978 through 1985, when the first three films hit theaters, occupy a special fascination for collectors. Known as the “Vintage Toys,” they not only remain popular with collectors, they remain accessible to new collectors who have just discovered the line.
Even though some toys are over 40 years old, you can sometimes still find them at garage sales and thrift stores. Comic book stores and toy dealers often sell them in excellent, and even unopened, condition.
KENNER TOYS
This guide will focus only on the major toys released by Kenner during the run of the first three films. The toymaker gained the rights to the line before the movie was released, but was not able to get the toys into stores until 1978, nearly a year after “Star Wars” was released.
Among the toys created for the films were “mini” action figures (most about 3 and ¾ inches tall), ships and playsets to accompany them, and large 12 inch figures. New toys were released each year until 1985.
A checklist for the toys made for each film follows. Figure lines based on the “Droids” and “Ewoks” cartoons of the 1980’s are considered separate lines and will be covered in another article. Before you dive into collecting figures, however, an understanding of the terminology is needed.
CARDED, BOXED, AND LOOSE
While most vintage Star Wars toys found today are loose out of the package and have been played with, a small number can still be found unopened. Figures that have not been opened are called “CARDED” and unopened ships and playsets are called “BOXED.”
Often, collectors use the following abbreviations: MOC (Mint figure on the card), MOMC (Mint figure on a mint, undamaged card), MIP (Mint toy in the package) and MIMP (Mint toy in mint package). MOC and MIP usually mean the toy is mint, but the package may have some wear. Of course, mint toys in mint packages are worth a great deal more than “loose” toys. Figures on cards were packaged inside of a clear plastic “blister.”
SAME FIGURE, DIFFERENT CARDS
When Kenner would make a certain character figure, the card it came packaged on often changed as new movies were released. The different card fronts are referred to by the title: There are “Star Wars” (SW) cards, “The Empire Strikes Back” (ESB) cards, and “Return of the Jedi” (ROTJ) cards.
In 1985, Star Wars’ popularity had gone down significantly, and Kenner issued figures under the title “Power of the Force” (POTF) to spark new interest. New figures issued under this card design are harder to find than others.
Figures issued overseas and in Canada featured three languages on the card package, and are now known as Tri-Logo cards. Even though these were not sold in America, they still are sought after by collectors.
In addition, as new figures were released, the backs of the cards, which featured a photo “checklist” of sorts, changed as well. These are often known by the number of figures on the back. “12 Backs” feature the first twelve figures, and others include “24 Backs,” “48 Backs,” “77 Backs,” and so on.
STAR WARS TOYS (1978-1979)
Since Kenner did not expect the blockbuster response to Star Wars, it was not ready to release toys early enough to meet demand. By Christmas of 1977, there was a huge call for Star Wars toys, so Kenner sold “The Early Bird Kit,” which was a display stand for the action figures and a gift certificate good for the first four figures to be released (Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and R2D2, shown below).
Kids had to send in the gift certificate in early 1978 to receive the figures by mail. While the kit only featured artwork of what the figures would look like, it did fill the need to provide some kind of Star Wars gift. The figures eventually arrived by mail by the summer of 1978.
Eventually, figures, creatures, ships, and playsets hit stores in 1978. One playset, the “Cantina Adventure” set, was sold only in Sears and came with figures, including one not available separately on a card: a character named “Snaggletooth.” The figure, based on a character seen in the movie, wore a blue outfit and stood as tall as any other character. Unfortunately, the figure was made based on a few pictures before the first film was released. It was discovered that “Snaggletooth” was very short and wore a red outfit. The figure was quickly corrected to a new “short” height and new color, but the original “Blue Snaggletooth” is now very rare and one of the most sought after of all the vintage figures.
Other variations of figures were made. The Han Solo figure was initially released with a head that seemed too small. It was quickly replaced by a “large head” version that was more in proportion.
The most valuable variation involves the Jawa action figure. Initially, it was released with a vinyl cape, similar to what Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi figures had. Because of the figure’s small size, however, Kenner quickly changed course, wanting to offer a figure that looked to have “added value” to larger figures that cost the same. A cloth robe was designed and added to the figure, making the original vinyl cape very rare – and valuable. Loose vinyl cape Jawas (in mint condition) can cost hundreds of dollars, while carded versions are worth thousands. Because of the value, there are fake Vinyl Cape Jawas out there, both loose and carded.
Card backs available under the “Star Wars” card front include “12 Backs,” “20 Backs,” and “21 Backs.” “20 Back” cards featured a mail-in offer: kids could send in proofs of purchase from card backs to get a new character featured in the upcoming “Star Wars” sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back.” The figure, named Boba Fett, was supposed to feature a rocket that would shoot out of his backpack, but because of child safety concerns, that was changed. When the figure was released, the rocket was glued into the backpack.
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK TOYS (1980-1982)
When “The Empire Strikes Back” was released in 1980, Kenner was ready, with 26 new figures. Among the action figure mail-in promotions offered on Empire cards were bounty hunter characters 4-LOM and Bossk, then a “sneak preview” figure from the next Star Wars film named Admiral Ackbar. The next film was listed on cards as “Revenge of the Jedi” but the title was later changed to “Return of the Jedi.” A “survival kit” mail-in promotion was also offered. “21 Backs,” “31 Backs,” “32 Backs,” “41 Backs,” “45 Backs,” “47 Backs,” and “48 Backs” were used on “Empire” cards.
RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983-1984)
Interest in “Star Wars” was red-hot by the opening of “Return of the Jedi” in May 1983, and kids hit toy stores on opening day to get the new characters released with the film. The Ewok characters from the film were so secret that Kenner “blacked out” the figures on the backs of cards shipped in time for opening day in case some figures slipped out and spoiled the surprise. Anakin Skywalker, The Emperor, and Nien Numb figure mail-in offers were featured on “Jedi” cards. Backs include “48 Backs,” “65 Backs,” “77 Backs,” and “79 Backs.”
POWER OF THE FORCE (1985)
In an effort to jump start interest in Star Wars figures again, Kenner changed the card front design, added a coin with the figure’s likeness, and put out 15 new figures. A number of older figures were also released in the new packaging. The card front only featured one card back, the “92 Back.” Sales did not go well, and the line was canceled later that year. “Power of the Force” figures are now among the hardest to find of all vintage figures. One figure, Yak Face, was not sold in the United States; it was sold in Canada and overseas. A separate toy line for the “Droids” and “Ewoks” cartoons followed, but quickly fizzled. It would be 1995 before new Star Wars figures were made.
KENNER “STAR WARS” TOYS CHECKLIST
Toys in each category are listed under the film during which they were first released.
MINI FIGURES (3 ¾” scale)
“Star Wars”
Luke Skywalker
Princess Leia
Chewbacca
R2-D2
Han Solo (small head)
Han Solo (large head)
C-3P0
Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
Boba Fett
Darth Vader
Death Squad Commander (name later changed to Star Destroyer Commander)
Death Star Droid
Greedo
Hammerhead
Jawa (rare vinyl cape)
Jawa (common cloth cape)
Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot
Power Droid
Sand People
R5-D4
Snaggletooth (blue version available only in Sears Cantina Adventure set)
Snaggletooth (small red version available in Cantina set and on cards)
Stormtrooper
Walrus Man
“Empire Strikes Back”
2-1B
4-LOM
AT-AT Commander
AT-AT Driver
Bespin Security Guard (black)
Bespin Security Guard (white)
Bossk
C-3PO with Removable Limbs
Cloud Car Pilot
Dengar
FX-7
Han Solo (Bespin Outfit)
Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)
IG-88
Imperial Commander
Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth)
Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot
Lando Calrissian (with teeth showing)
Lando Calrissian (without teeth showing)
Lobot
Luke Skywalker (Bespin Outfit)
Luke Skywalker (Hoth Outfit)
Princess Leia (Hoth Outfit)
Princess Leia (Bespin Outfit)
R2-D2 with sensorscope
Rebel Commander
Rebel Soldier (Hoth)
Ugnaught
Yoda (brown snake)
Yoda (orange snake)
Zuckuss
“Return of the Jedi”
8-D8
Admiral Ackbar
AT-ST Driver
B-Wing Pilot
Bib Fortuna
Biker Scout
Chief Chirpa
Emperor
Emperor’s Royal Guard
Gamorrean Guard
General Madine
Han Solo (Endor Trench Coat)
Klaatu
Klaatu (Skiff Guard)
Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise)
Logray
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight)
Lumat
Nien Numb
Nikto
Paploo
Princess Leia (Boushh Disguise)
Princess Leia (Combat Poncho)
Prune Face
Rancor Keeper
Rebel Commando
Ree Yees
Squid Head
Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band (Max Rebo & Droopy McCool) – sold as a three-pack
Teebo
Weequay
Wicket W. Warrick
“Power of the Force”
A-Wing Pilot
Amanaman
Anakin Skywalker
Barada
EV-9D9
Han Solo in Carbonite
Imperial Dignitary
Imperial Gunner
Lando Calrissian (General)
Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper Disguise)
Luke Skywalker (Battle Poncho)
R2-D2 with pop-up lightsaber
Romba
Warok
Yak Face
12″ LARGE FIGURES
“Star Wars”
Ben “Obi-Wan” Kenobi
Boba Fett
C-3PO
Chewbacca
Darth Vader
Han Solo
Jawa
Luke Skywalker
Princess Leia Organa
R2-D2
Stormtrooper
“Empire Strikes Back”
IG-88
CREATURES
“Star Wars”
Dewback
“Empire Strikes Back”
Tauntaun (solid belly)
Tauntaun (open belly, so figure can fit inside)
Wampa
“Return of the Jedi”
Rancor Monster
PLAYSETS
“Star Wars”
Cantina Adventure Set (Sears only)
Creature Cantina (different version available everywhere)
Death Star Playset
Droid Factory
Land of the Jawas
“Empire Strikes Back”
Cloud City Playset (Sears only)
Dagobah
Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer
Hoth Ice Planet
Imperial Attack Base
Rebel Command Center (Sears only)
Turret and Probot
“Return of the Jedi”
Ewok Village
Jabba the Hutt Dungeon (Sears only; 1983 gray version includes Klaatu, Nikto, and 8D8 figures)
Jabba the Hutt Dungeon (Sears only; 1984 tan version includes EV-9D9, Amanaman, and Barada figures)
Jabba the Hutt Action Playset (includes Jabba figure and base)
SHIPS
“Star Wars”
Millennium Falcon
TIE Fighter
Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter
X-Wing
Landspeeder
“Sonic Controlled” Land Speeder (only at J.C. Penney)
Jawa Sandcrawler
Imperial Troop Transport (later changed to Imperial Cruiser)
“Empire Strikes Back”
AST-5 mini rig
AT-AT
CAP-2 mini rig
INT-4 mini rig
MLC-3 mini rig
MTV-7 mini rig
PDT-8 mini rig
Rebel Transport
Scout Walker
Slave 1
Snowspeeder
Twin Pod Cloud Car
X-wing Battle Damaged
“Return of the Jedi”
B-Wing Fighter
Endor Forest Ranger
Imperial Shuttle
ISP-6 mini rig
Speeder Bike
TIE Fighter (Battle Damaged)
TIE Interceptor
Y-Wing
“Power of the Force”
Ewok Battle Wagon
Imperial Sniper mini rig
One Man Sand Skimmer mini rig
Security Scout mini rig
Tatooine Skiff
ACCESSORIES
“Star Wars”
Early Bird Kit
12 Figure Action Display Stand
Vinyl Carrying Case (Star Wars art)
“Empire Strikes Back”
Darth Vader Carrying Case
Display Arena
Hoth Survival Pack
Radar Laser Cannon
Tri-Pod Laser Cannon
Vehicle Maintenance Energizer
Vinyl Carrying Case (Empire Art)
“Return of the Jedi”
C-3PO Figure Carrying Case
Chewbacca Bandolier Strap
Ewok Catapult
Laser Rifle
