Film & TV
Art
Share
Lot #78. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back | Six Kenner "Yoda Hand Puppet" Prototype Heads
13007 S. Western Avenue, Gardena, California 90249
Phone 310-836-1818 | Fax 310-742-0155
July 10, 2025
A rare original Kenner card back proof for the 3.75" scale action figure Yoda related to the production of the film Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (Lucasfilm Ltd., 1983). This proof is from the brief period in time (circa 1982) when the film was named Revenge of the Jedi. George Lucas finalized the film's name as Return of the Jedi after Kenner had started designing the action figure cards. Subsequently, the "Revenge of the Jedi" logo was replaced by the "Return of the Jedi" logo.
The card back proof is encapsulated in an acrylic case and is graded by the Action Figure Authority CGA 85 NM+.
Proceeds from this auction support the initiative to build The Saga Museum® of Star Wars Memorabilia which will bring together four of the world’s largest Star Wars collections, combining 1.5 million objects, to create a unique, over-the-top, fun fan experience in a NEW PUBLIC MUSEUM that will offer a galactic range of exhibits, programs, and amenities that will INSPIRE and SERVE the world. See TheSagaMuseum.org for more information.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Provenance from The Saga Museum.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.25 x 1.75 inches
Category: Revenge of the Jedi, Toys/Collectibles, The Saga Museum
Provenance: From the Stephen J. Sansweet Collection at Rancho Obi-Wan, the Guinness World Record Certified "Largest Collection of Star Wars Memorabilia"and one of the Founding Collections of The Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia
An original marker on board illustration by Randy Martinez, circa 2003, depicting Jedi Master Saesee Tiin carving a statue of Yoda out of a block of stone with a lightsaber. Signed by the artist in the lower right. Created for usage in, and this auction includes a copy of, Star Wars Insider Magazine #68.
Proceeds from this auction support the initiative to build The Saga Museum® of Star Wars Memorabilia which will bring together four of the world’s largest Star Wars collections, combining 1.5 million objects, to create a unique, over-the-top, fun fan experience in a NEW PUBLIC MUSEUM that will offer a galactic range of exhibits, programs, and amenities that will INSPIRE and SERVE the world. See TheSagaMuseum.org for more information.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Provenance from The Saga Museum.
Dimensions: 11 x 8.75 inches
Category: Toys/Collectibles, The Saga Museum
Provenance: From the Stephen J. Sansweet Collection at Rancho Obi-Wan, the Guinness World Record Certified "Largest Collection of Star Wars Memorabilia"and one of the Founding Collections of The Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia
A set of six prototype Yoda heads and molds from the unproduced Yoda cloth-bodied hand puppet from Kenner's vintage toy line, circa 1980. The Yoda hand puppet was a toy item considered by Kenner for release in 1980 for The Empire Strikes Back but the product concept was canceled due to cost. This is a unique prototype set for a legendary unreleased Kenner toy. The heads were made using rotocast molds for rotational molding that produces hollow plastic parts. Each head is unique in size, color, and material. Includes:
- a green soft plastic head with button irises that have been filled with plaster to retain its shape
- a white soft plastic head
- a medium-sized cream-colored hard plastic head
- a larger-sized cream-colored hard plastic head
- a silver-tone rotocast metal mold
- a large copper-tone rotocast metal mold
The two metal head molds contain bubbles around the ears and mouth that are part of the structural support of the rotocast molds. The inside of the mold is what produces the final hollow soft plastic head.
Accompanied by a Certificate of Provenance from The Saga Museum.
Dimensions: Largest: 8.75 x 13 x 7 inches
Three "Yoda" hats that were created as officially licensed merchandise in conjuction with the release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (20th Century Fox, 1980). In three different colors - blue, yellow, and burgundy. Each with original tags affixed to the back adjustable band of each via string. All 100% polyester. The yellow and blue hats are "kids size" with a sticker inside the yellow hat saying it's for "7~14 year olds." The burgundy hat is "adults size" and contains a broken back adjustable band.
In the 1982 Mail Order Catalogue for The Thinking Cap Company, the description of these officially licensed hats read: "The Yoda Hat: Keep the Force with you when you wear the Yoda hat. Completely authentic, even to the hair at the base of his soft sculptured velour ears, and featuring an embroidered Yoda patch. Assorted colors, washable and adjustable, in both adult and kids' sizes. The YODA hat... brought to Earth by the Thinking Cap company in cooperation with Freemountain Toys, Bristol, Vermont."
A Lucasfilm "Santa Yoda" Christmas card, featuring artwork by Ralph McQuarrie (white variant).
The interior of the card reads: "May the Force be with you. For the Holidays and Throughout the New Year. The Lucasfilm Family."
Dimensions: 7 x 5 inches
Category: The Empire Strikes Back, Artwork
Provenance: From the Collection of Lucasfilm In-House Designer Melanie Paykos
