Leia Organa - spotting a repro gown

[tobedesu]

Morning all,
I was wondering, from photos alone, how does one spot a repro gown on the Princess Leia figure from photos?

Some repro gowns stand out a mile, but some are hard to spot.
This is regarding a certain online auction site.
Thankfully some sellers do disclose the gown is repro, but others don't.
There is a great looking figure I'm watching, however, it's in a prepro card back. Seller states 99% its original which is not enough to convince to bid anymore.
The figure looks mint, but the fact it's housed in a prerpo card with weapon has me suspicious that she's been dressed up for appearance alone.

I know of the texture and transparency issues, but when the figure isn't in hand how can we be sure it's original?

I've got my childhood Leia figure but misplaced the gown.

 

[Lom]

Got a similar issue myself - my childhood Leia cape is torn so decided to replace it. Ended up purchasing a loose figure with cape at Farthest From in December; unfortunately it was from Jeff Glanvile and who knows what he's been up to! Despite this I would recommend doing what I did; get yourself to an event such as FF with like minded collectors with a whole bunch of experience, and get one in hand and ask people's advice.

 

[tobedesu]

Youre right, about going to events; I went to NEC last Sunday but not much in the way of Princess Leias, unless I missed out.
There was one graded for £180 which is far too much for me, but I didn't really examine it.

I can understand the increase in price. Don't care about the weapon as I have all from my childhood.
Just want a good loose run of rebels to display.
For the money I'm willing to pay, the gown had better be real.

Collectors can spot the VCJ reasonably well.

 

[roundster]

I've got one on eBay at the moment and been asked by 2 people today if the cape is legit, so I took it off and did a few checks. It has the rough texture and zipping noise on one side of the cape.
Guess I'd say face to face deals would be easiest way to check!
I gave it a quick clean with a toothbrush and the zipping sound was so clear, but would guess most sellers would be against you using a toothbrush on their figures!

 

[tobedesu]

I wish I could find my original gown. My Ben Kenobi and Sandpeople cape got damaged so I took them all off when I was a kid as to not damage them anymore.
Found them all except Leia so may have traded it as a kid.
That would have been my own reference.

Anyway, how about shape - is there a certain length?
Or shape around the neck?
I vaguely remember my figure had a perfect crease where it folded over the shoulders. Some I've seen on eBay look a bit of a mess around that area. Then again, of is a decades-old toy.

 

[StarWarsFan]

Have you viewed the identification guide on Imperial Gunnery?

 

[tobedesu]

Yes mate, I have had a look.
I also checked Jedi temple archives and Lars' awesome site.

Still finding it tricky to spot a repro cape on some figures online if the seller doesn't know. To me that means steer clear.

 

[jayums]

Yes mate, I have had a look.
I also checked Jedi temple archives and Lars' awesome site.

Still finding it tricky to spot a repro cape on some figures online if the seller doesn't know. To me that means steer clear.

I would agree - common sense needs to be applied.

If the seller has a high value figure like a Leia for sale (in great condition with gen accessories) inside a modern recard, it would make more for them to remove the figure from the recard so that it can be seen clearly by potential buyers and so achieve a better price. The cost of repro cards is neglible after all relative to the value of a good example of this figure.

At the very least the seller would take good quality close-up photos, or make categorical statements (100% authentic and accurate to figure etc), and offer full returns. If they are spinning a line and make unconvincing claims (it *could* be original because etc etc) probably best run for the hills.

Why not just offer the price you would for an average condition figure, without any accessories? if it then turns out to be vgc and all legit - it's a win for you!