by Jacob Rusek

Before The Force Awakens, a Hot Star Wars Auction at Sotheby’s

On the wall hang posters, one from Poland in 1978 and 2 complete sets of Star Wars Power of the Force coins, valued at an estimated $25,000-$35,000. In front of them items like the 42-inch Chewbacca store display, the stormtrooper and Darth Vader helmets and many other collectibles.
The sale included a 1978 Polish poster and two complete sets of Star Wars Power of the Force coins, valued at an estimated $25,000-$35,000. Also on display were a 42-inch Chewbacca store display, stormtrooper and Darth Vader helmets and many other collectibles. (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)

On a second floor showroom at Sotheby’s in Manhattan, in a galaxy far, far away from the main displays of contemporary art, 175 pieces of Star Wars memorabilia went on view Wednesday morning. Video cameras zoomed in for a closer shot and photographers clicked their shutters in a press viewing of samples taken from the personal collection of Japanese DJ and fashion designer Nigo, which will go on auction online at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 11.

Behind them all, looking rather out of place with no camera, microphone or notepad was Star Wars enthusiast David Montauck, wearing a backwards flat-rimmed baseball cap and a black jersey featuring a tie fighter spaceship from the movies with his own last name on the back.

Star Wars enthusiast David Montauck gives an interview standing next to mint condition figurines. The 'Walking Wind Up' R2-D2 action figure (1978) is valued at $1,500-$2,500 and the Power of the Force Yak Face '92-back' action figure (1985) is valued at $4,000-$6,000.
Star Wars enthusiast David Montauck gives an interview standing next to mint condition figurines. The “Walking Wind Up” R2-D2 action figure (1978) is valued at $1,500-$2,500 and the Power of the Force Yak Face “92-back” action figure (1985) is valued at $4,000-$6,000. (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)

Montauck had come at the request of a reporter he met on Facebook; she knew little about the franchise and had wanted some help understanding the items when she came to cover the story. Montauck, a toy collector and seller, became the go-to expert for the many correspondents present, and happily explained what they were looking at.

“[They] are in such good condition that the value is astronomical,” said Montauck. In the center of the display stood a three-and-a-half foot tall Chewbacca, partner to Hans Solo in the iconic first Star Wars trilogy. Around the furry character white podiums held mint-condition figurines of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, full-sized replicas of Darth Vader and stormtrooper helmets, a signed replica of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, and other collectibles, still in original packaging. These items’ values are estimated the be between $300 and $35,000, and could fetch much more once the bidding begins.

“As a designer, I have always been inspired by Star Wars,” said Nigo in a statement provided by Sotheby’s. Nigo, founder of the popular Japanese clothing line Bape (short for A Bathing Ape), has been collecting toys and memorabilia since he was six. “I am honoured [sic] to be launching this sale and hope that it will bring excitement to Star Wars Fans all around the world,” he said in the statement.

Star Wars Memorabilia Expert James Gallow gives interviews about the items on display Wednesday.
Star Wars memorabilia expert James Gallow gives interviews about the items on display Wednesday. (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)

James Gallow, owner of Toy and Comic Heaven located just outside Philadelphia, was hired by Sotheby’s as the memorabilia consultant for the sale. Like Montauck, he has been a collector and seller of rare toys for 20 plus years and is a Star Wars expert.

“I expect there to be bidding from all over the world on a lot of this stuff,” he said. “The world is digital now so I think an online auction will certainly generate a lot of interest.”

The auction will be Sotheby’s fifth online sale this fall. Bidders are asked to register at a URL at least 24 hours before so that bank information is already cleared for bidding, which will involve a live onscreen auctioneer conducting each sale with a computer tracking bids.

It’s not just the digital platform that is drumming up interest. With the highly anticipated release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” a week after the auction, collectors and auctioneers have noticed an upswing in memorabilia sales. Last month in England, Vectis Auctions Ltd. sold one Star Wars figurine for 18,000 pounds (about $27,000) on behalf of collector Craig Stevens.

“I’m selling a lot of my items now on eBay and Craigslist and on other places because the movies are coming out,” said Montauck, who makes his living auctioning off his collected items. “I mean, this is the most expensive the items will be, right around now and for the next month or two. Like anything, if it’s on TV it raises the stock of it.”

More items from the collection will be on display starting this week at The Conde Nast Gallery at One World Trade Center for a private exhibition.

A Canadian Star Wars Empire Strikes Back seven-figure multi-pack (1980), valued at $8,000-$12,000, sits among other items like the signed Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Darth Vader helmet (2006), which is valued at $1,000-$2,000.
A Canadian Star Wars Empire Strikes Back seven-figure multi-pack (1980), valued at $8,000-$12,000, sits among other items like the signed Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Darth Vader helmet (2006), which is valued at $1,000-$2,000. (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)
A Canadian Jawa plush toy is displayed in front of an Empire Strikes Back poster from 1979 and an Early Bird Certificate Package store display from 1977. These items are valued between $300 and $9,000.
A Canadian Jawa plush toy is displayed in front of an “Empire Strikes Back” poster from 1979 and an Early Bird Certificate Package store display from 1977. These items are valued between $300 and $9,000. (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)
The Darth Vader CinemaCast Statue (1994) is valued at $200-$400
The Darth Vader CinemaCast Statue (1994) is valued at $200-$400 (The Ink/Jacob Rusek)