A 1977 Star Wars figure of Luke Skywalker has been sold for a record-breaking £2,900 at Mitchells Vintage & Antique Toy Sale making it the highest price ever achieved for a toy at the Cockermouth saleroom.

Delighted auctioneer Ewan Duff knew it was likely to sell for a very high price because of the unprecedented level of interest before the sale both nationally and internationally.

After an intense online bidding war between collectors in Australia, Spain, Malta and the UK, the toy finally sold to a collector in Lancashire.

When the auctioneer called the Carlisle-based vendor to tell him the good news, his exact words were 'No way!', he just couldn’t believe it.

Described by auctioneer and toy specialist Ewan Duff as 'the debut of all debuts for Palitoy on Luke Skywalker', the action figure measured just 3.75 inches high and is a '12 back A version' of the toy released at the time of the first ever Star Wars movie in 1977. 

The figure came with an action light  sabre and was in pristine condition within its original bubble and card packaging. 

Another Palitoy Star Wars action figure, a Storm Trooper with laser rifle in its original packaging sold for £420.

Comics were also amongst the highest selling lots in the sale. 

A full year of 1962 Topper comics  incuding Victor bound in two volumes made £420 and Beano also did well with 'The Magic Beano Book' from 1943 selling for £380, in spite of some pages missing, and a group of Beano comics from 1951-52, including the edition featuring the first appearance of Dennis the Menace made £350. 

A first edition of 'Winnie the Pooh' by A. A. Milne published by Methuen & Co. in 1926 made £280.

Soft toys, dolls and accessories were also amongst the most valuable lots. 

Two mid-late 20th century miniature plush dogs with a small jointed teddy bear and two miniature jointed bisque dolls were sold for £480. 

Four boxes of mid-century dolls house furniture including 1960s Doltoi bedroom furniture and Elgin of Enfield dining room furniture made £200. 

A group of 1970s and later Sindy dolls dressed in various outfits sold for £160.

A 1960s Pelham Puppet ‘SL Mike Mercury in Super Car’ with its original box made £140 and an early 20th century wooden painted model of a castle went for £190.

A fully illustrated sale catalogue with all prices realised in the sale can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk. 

Mitchells next Vintage & Antique Toy Sale will take place in the spring of 2022. 

Anyone requiring a free valuation of their vintage and antique toys for entry into the sale should contact Auctioneer Ewan Duff on 01900 827800

Illustrated catalogues for all Mitchells’ sales can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where salegoers can also bid live during the auction or leave automatic bids in advance if unable to attend the saleroom.

Entries are invited now for all future sales. 

The closing date for entries to Mitchells Country Sporting Sale is Thursday 9th September. 

The sale will take place over three days from 6th to the 8th of October.  

Contact Mitchells’ sporting specialist James Moore on 01900 827800 to consign items for sale.