Who is the person behind this product?
Kenner Products is the company behind this action figurine, The 1978 Telescopic Light Saber Darth Vader.
In 1947, brothers Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner formed Kenner Products, a post-World War II American toy business in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Kenner Products Company, which later became a part of the General Mills Group, was granted a master’s license from Lucasfilm Ltd.
They were licensed to make all toys, games, and crafts based on the 1977 Star Wars film.
What makes this item so rare?
The 1978 Telescopic Light Saber Darth Vader was a watershed moment in Star Wars collecting. He was a villain with a dark past. Even though he had escaped the Death Star conflict, his true origins were unknown at the moment. His exact origins were not known until years later, making this figure even more popular and sought after as a collection.
Darth Vader was one of Kenner’s first 12 figures, known as the 12 Backs among collectors. But unfortunately, he was not one of Kenner’s four first-released early bird figurines.
While both Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ben) and Luke Skywalker (Luke) had DTLSs, Kenner created more figures with the DTLS because they were launched earlier in the year.
There are fewer Darth Vader DTLS versions because he got launched afterward. However, the Design department decided to switch the design long after his release.
Making this specific design (STAR WARS – DARTH VADER” 12 BACK-A AFA 70 EX+ DOUBLE-TELESCOPING) of Dart rare for the collectors.
How much is it worth today?
This item was worth more than the creator imagined.
An AFA graded and sealed 12 Back-A blister card containing an 8.25″ tall figurine of Darth Vader from Kenner’s iconic 1978 “Star Wars” movie sold for $64,900.
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