Which figures did they make the most of?

[edd_jedi]

I assume there is no data for this, so it's just guesswork for fun really But based on the amount you see for sale now or release dates, popularity of the films at the time etc, which figures do you think Kenner made the most of? Here's a few thoughts from me:

1) Stormtrooper - in all three films, available on virtually every cardback, and kids would likely have wanted more than one.
2) Vader - the bad guy in all three films (no it wasn't Boba Fett despite what most people that have never watched the films seem to think) and arguably the coolest figure they ever released too.
3) Chewie - seems to be one of the most plentiful main characters whether you're looking for loose or carded.
4) Luke Farmboy - I don't really understand why he sells for three or four times the price loose of Vader or Ben considering he's basically the same figure, he certainly doesn't seem to be rare. Maybe just harder to find in nice condition because he's white?

 

[poncho]

Theres loads of luke jedis!

 

[olisuds]

I think you nailed it with Chewbacca, Vader and Stormtrooper

I imagine cost would be a reasonably good indicator of how many were produced too. Chewbacca always seems to be the cheapest SW figure so that might suggest there was an abundance of them out there.

Agree on the Stormtrooper too. I imagine that was a pretty steady seller through out the vintage line and being an army builder type figure too.

Most of the major characters had multiple different versions so I'm not sure they were as abundant as others.

 

[Ian_C]

It would have to be a figure that was released on every card from 12 back to POTF, as that allows for 8 years at retail. So, who qualifies for that?

Vader
Obi-Wan
Stormtrooper
Chewbacca
Jawa

You could argue POTF didn't sell well, so the other first 12 might have a shot, but let's look at those too.

Han, Leia, and Luke might fight for #1 character in sales, making multiple versions of them means less sales per unique sculpt. R2 & 3PO would have a shot, but both got retooled by the second wave of ESB. DS Commander and Tusken made it as far as ROTJ carded, but I don't think either would be among the most popular to a point they could be the most produced.

So, I'd say one of the first 5 I listed.

Obi-Wan is out. Popular, but he died in the first film, so I would imagine his sales would be less as time went on.

Jawa and Stormtrooper work as army builders, but I don't think even with that they can match the popularity of Vader or Chewbacca.

I'd guess one of Vader or Chewbacca. Chewie was a fan fave, and was in all three movies with no variant versions. So was Vader, but I think if there were kids who only got a handful to play with, they'd need a bad guy.

Because he's more essential, and was released on every single cardback, I'd guess Vader was the most produced.

Ian

 

[Mr-shifter]

I think in answer to point 4 edd it's because there are so many with missing or broken Sabres. Really he should be the same price as Ben and Vader for a minty example with a nice clean weapon, possibly less since they had capes that could be damaged or missing as well.

 

[Grant]

Stormy maybe, as it's been mentioned he's on every card back and coz of the army builders out there.

 

[jedisearcher]

Apparently if you dig a hole anywhere in America you'll find a Chewbacca in it, so it must be him.

But yes, any first 12 is in with a shout - except R2 and 3PO which were replaced by newer versions. I know people are saying Jawa, but surely a non-main wouldn't be on the list? Same for Tusken Raider.

My choice would be Vader - you can't really play Star Wars without him.

 

[x-wingMark]

I would say stormtrooper.

 

[Frunkstar]

You are all way off,come on lads it must be either the Emperor or Klaatu :lol:

 

[indianawars]

Just like the Atari E.T game - A massive landfill with just Chewie's and Stormtrooper's in it. My guess would have to be Vader also... Although the love for Anakin Skywalker must rank him a top seller

 

[edd_jedi]

You are all way off,come on lads it must be either the Emperor or Klaatu :lol:

I know you're joking but I was expecting some of those to get mentioned, there certainly were a lot of peg warmers but that doesn't necessarily mean there were a lot produced. I bet they made 10x more Luke's than they did Klaatu's.

 

[theforceuk]

Is their any way of finding out? Good mission for someone. Luke X-Wing got on a lot of packageing, At-At, X-Wing and Snowspeeder so they must of made a lot of him! :? :lol:

I reckon Stormtrooper is a good guess, I've got 4 loose and two MOC.

 

[indianawars]

Judging by the Vectis pictures of the full shipping boxes of MOC's, there was a lot of Vader's inside - 2/1 odds. So if you judge that over the span of the range, then Vader must be top of the pile.

 

[elcroz]

Klaatu is everywhere.

 

[steve obi wan]

Definitely Vader , I remember back even in the seventies everyone wanted him . He was my first figure and still the coolest.

 

[x-pack]

Apparently if you dig a hole anywhere in America you'll find a Chewbacca in it, so it must be him.

I heard something along those lines - you are never more than five feet from a Chewie figure :?

 

[ChrisG]

There's no way to really know because our perception is skewed by what we see now. Basing it off of figures made continuously during the time period is probably the best way (Vader, Chewie, etc...) But as collectors/fans have been buying up vintage figures, more often than not they haven't been after complete runs and interested more in main characters so what you're left with is stuff like Klaatu and Emperor. Those are only plentiful because they aren't in great demand.

Boba Fett would be a good vote as to a wildly abundant figure given the mail-in promotion and the fact that it was also sold from 1979-1984 on card.

-chris

 

[Grant]

There's no way to really know because our perception is skewed by what we see now. Basing it off of figures made continuously during the time period is probably the best way (Vader, Chewie, etc...) But as collectors/fans have been buying up vintage figures, more often than not they haven't been after complete runs and interested more in main characters so what you're left with is stuff like Klaatu and Emperor. Those are only plentiful because they aren't in great demand.

Boba Fett would be a good vote as to a wildly abundant figure given the mail-in promotion and the fact that it was also sold from 1979-1984 on card.

-chris

Some valid points^^^.

 

[tiefighterboy]

General Madine or Dengar. It seems like everywhere I set down..one of those ****ers is popping up my ass.

 

[Pomse2001]

1. Stormtrooper
2. Darth Vader
3. Chewbacca
4. Klaatu, You can always find one Klaatu or more in a lot :lol: