The first ever Stars Wars dedicated auction by Sotheby’s has been announced for December 11, in partnership with Japanese designer NIGO. Best known for his fashion brand A Bathing Ape, the designer is auctioning all 175 items in the collection, including Two complete Star Wars Power of the Force 63-coin sets from 1985, valued at between $25-35,000.The auction is actually Sotheby’s second with the NIGO, who made his name in 1993 when opening the store Nowhere, in Harajuku, Tokyo. He would go on to co-found the Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream clothing lines with U.S. musician Pharrell, and become an icon of modern Japanese culture thanks to his produtciton work with hip-hop act Teriyaki Boyz, and opening two food businesses, Curry UP, and 2-5 Café. He last worked with Sotheby’s with “NIGO Only Lives Twice,” a sale of 250 lots from his personal collection of art, furniture and jewellery, which raised US$4.5 million in October 2014.Dubbed “Return of the NIGO,” the upcoming Stars Wars auction features collectibles including over 600 original action figures to autographed light sabers and original poster art work, amassed over decades.“As a designer, I have always been inspired by Star Wars. I am honoured to be launching this sale and hope that it will bring excitement to Star Wars fans around the world,” said NIGO ahead of the auction.Some of the most unique items include 50 versions of the Boba Fett figure, a personal favorite of NIGO. The bounty hunter character was hired by Darth Vader to capture Hans Solo in the film. A Luke Skywalker figure with a “Double-telescoping” light saber from 1978, thought to be one of only 20, is valued at US$12-18,000. One of only 12 “tri-logo” General Madine action figures from 1983 is expected to go for US$10-15,000.Backing cards with the title “Revenge of the Jedi” – a title George Lucas first intended to use – are valued at US$3–5,000, while a Stars Wars “Early Bird Certificate Package” store display from 1977, made before the success of the film became apparent and the first item to be produced for market is valued at US$7–9,000, with just five thought to exist..Highlights from the “Return of the NIGO” auction will be exhibited at The Condé Nast Gallery, December 4–11 at One World Trade Center in New York.
↧