Toys of Future Past: Toy Archive - Vintage Star Wars Yak Face Action Figure

Yak Face was the Last figure produced by Kenner

Known to be the last action figure produced by Kenner by collectors and falling under the moniker known as The Last Seventeen, which encompasses the final wave of the vintage Star Wars line, Yak Face is considered to be as rare or rarer than the Blue Snaggletooth and the vinyl caped Jawa action figures.

Even though this action figure is considered to be one of the five rarest, I had no problem scoring one off of eBay. New batches of Yak Faces are posted weekly. So, if you are looking to add one to your collection, you should be able to easily do so, but be warned. Prices for a loose Yak Face with weapon accessory in good condition can run you anywhere from $230 - $ 300 as of this writing. Even with that price tag, Yak Face continues to be a well sought after Star Wars collectible, which warrants its higher than average prices. Whew! Imagine what a mint on card version runs.


Speaking of mint on card. This figure is the only figure from the entire Kenner Star Wars vintage line to be carded on a Canadian Power of The Force Card.  Even though the figure was produced on a Canadian Card there apparently is no proof that it was ever sold in Canada. It was also produced for European markets on Tri-logo cards. Interestingly, it was never sold domestically in the United States, which helps add to the rarity.

Many vintage Star Wars action figures have minor variations, whether it be the size of Han Solo's head or the color of Luke Skywalker's hair, but the vintage Yak Face action figure has no known major variations. The figure typically came with a Skiff Guard Battle Staff , but the Tri-logo version can be found with anything from Palace Blasters, Bespin Blasters, or no weapon or accessory at all.

Like many collectors it would be years before I would find out about this figures existence. However, I couldn't be more pleased to now have it as part of my collection and to be one of the first figures I went for to complete my loose vintage figures. My motto with collecting is now, "Go big, Or go home!"

With that said, does anyone have a carded version for sale?

 

Source:
  (Return of the Jedi)

Date Stamp: 1985

Release Date: 1985

Carded Availability:
  Power of the Force
  Tri-Logo

Assortment No. : 93840

Retail: $2.99

Weapons and Accessories:

Skiff Guard Battle Staff (POTF version only) None or various (Tri-logo version only)  (via Rebelscum) About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

The Hundred Eighty Degree Solution

Hold tight, Bat-Turn!

The Emergency Bat-Turn lever has been pulled, parachutes deployed, and this Batman is turning things around.

First off, a fangasmic thank you to all those who stopped by and said hello recently. Hearing from you all hit me so hard that words describing the impact appeared out of thin air. Connecting with my fellow Geeks once again has made me realize I can no longer stay away from my second home.

A Shopping Spree We Will Go At Hake's Americana and Collectibles

If money were no object I would have one hell of good time shopping over at Hake's Americana and Collectibles . However, if money were no object where would the challenge be?

I already have many of the items up for grabs this go around, but there is still plenty of toys and pop culture collectibles up for sale that I would love to get my hands on and fill the gaps in my collection, but since I didn't win the Powerball last night let's take a look at a few items that might be in my price range.

Restoring An Imperial Troop Transporter

Stripped Vintage Imperial Troop Transporter. Photo: Batcave Toy Room

There's one. Set for stun!

Do you hear what I hear? The unmistakable sounds from the vintage Kenner Imperial Troop Transporter.

Completing A Death Star Space Station Playset On Schedule

Restoration Vintage Death Star Space Station Project. Photo: Batcave Toy Room

It only took about five and a half years to complete, but at least it's done.

The Vintage Kenner Death Star Space Station, an armored space station playset with enough playability to last for hours or several decades for that matter. This playset rocks.

My Vintage X-Wing Fighter Looks Like It Just Rolled Off The Showroom Floor

Vintage Kenner X-Wing Fighter restoration project. Photo: Batcave Toy Room

Lock S-Foils in attack position!

Day 22 inspired another toy clean up and restoration on Day 23 of My 31 Days to a Better Toy Collection Challenge. This time with my vintage Kenner X-Wing Fighter vehicle.

31 Days to a Better Toy Collection Challenge: Day 11

Vintage Kenner Death Star World action playsets from the Batcave Toy Room

 Open the blast doors! Open the blast doors!

I had a request from toy collector JBoypacman to see more of my Death Star Playsets. So, here's a lesson in ask and thy shall receive.

31 Days to a Better Toy Collection: Star Wars Micro Collection Dispaly Cabinets...Maybe -Day 3

There just isn't enough room in the Batcave Toy Room for everything.

The pic above is the back wall in my home office. The office is actually next door to the Toy Room and serves as an auxiliary toy room that allows me more display room.

Giving Negative or Postive Feedback When Buying Vintage Toys on eBay

Buying vintage toys on eBay can be a great way to build your toy collection. I've picked up specimens that I wanted to add to my toy collection and found pieces to replace broken or missing parts for vehicles, playsets, and action figures. However, buying online can have it's drawbacks.

The online auction site, eBay, has helped me restore countless toys and always with pleasant experiences. However, while working on my Kenner Imperial Cruiser toy restoration project I had won a bid for an original box for this Sears Christmas exclusive that was not quite what I had hoped for. Here's look at the pics that were posted for the sale.

Look! Vintage 41 Piece ESB Action Figures for sale on the Last Day of the World

Here's a look at another awesome set of Kenner Star Wars action figures for sale. The set includes 41 mint and carded vintage Empire Strikes Back figures. I've been seeing collectors sell their collections left and right for some serious cash lately. Maybe I should sell my toy collection as well. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?

Restoring The Fastest Hunk Of Junk In The Galaxy

Kenner's vintage Millennium Falcon Spaceship was a vehicle, a playset, and action figure storage case. At least for me it was all the above. The Millennium Falcon is the oldest Star Wars toy in my collection and as a kid it was probably part of every adventure my imagination could dream up. It was also probably why my Falcon was worn down.

My Toy Collecting Origins

I've been collecting toys for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of toys were Gabriel's Lone Ranger and Tonto, Hasbro's G.I. Joe (back when he was just a soldier, not an entire team), and Mego's World's Greatest Super Heroes. Most people say, " You didn't collect toys, you just had toys, just like every other child." But for me, it was different.

Antiquities: Great For Autographs, Not So Much For Toy Collecting

I love going to Antiquities, the autograph, memorabilia, and collectibles retailer, located at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It is there that I have met and obtained the autographs of the likes of Billy Dee Willaims (Lando Calrissan, Harvey Dent), David Prowse (Darth Vader), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane), which I have always dished out the bucks to meet these pop culture icons.

Autographs aside, it is a blast to walk thru the museum like establishment and see the shadow boxed props, costumes, musical instruments, and pieces of written and signed material. Others have quoted the retailer as such:

"I love walking through this place and looking at all of the amazing pieces of memorabilia and rare autographs that are all for sale. You will find anything from a framed Pulp Fiction movie poster signed by the entire cast to a guitar used by Jimi Hendrix in concert. There's even stuff from historical figures like Presidents and other famous people."

"I was so overwhelmed, I really did not want to leave this store."

I agree with these folks and would love to grow the size of The Batcave Toy Room to match Antiquities size and quality of collectibles, but interestingly, in the other reviews I found, no one discusses the vintage toys that can be found there.

Most of the toys there are like they came from The Batcave Toy Room itself. You can see the great amount of Mego's, both carded and boxed specimens, in the display case.

They also had a few Kenner Super Powers Collection action figures. I'd love to add the carded Shazam to my collection.

I once had a Super Friends lunch box. I now only have my Superman lunch box with depicted scenes from the Christoper Reeve film, but I do want get the Super Friends lunch box back in my collection as well.

The one major thing that is missing from my collection is the Kenner Star Wars 12 inch action figures. They had a nice display going there.

Unfortunately, after this picture, one of employees notified me that taking photos was not allowed. There were a lot more vintage Star Wars toys to show among other classic icons from the 70' and 80's.

As I was saying before for autographs I would be all over it, but as for buying toys, not so much. The quality of the toys is great, but the pricing for the items is more that of dead mint specimens. Unless, I really wanted something so bad and was not able to obtain it anywhere else, I would take my chances on the likes of eBay. Nevertheless, visiting the store makes me feel like a boy again. I think I'll go hang out in my toy room for a while.

About the author: John Sholtz is an avid toy collector and the interim editor of the Batcave Toy Room due to the abrupt death of Bruce Wayne. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter at, Facebook, Google+ and Linkedin.

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure Pic of the Week # 10: AT-ST (All Terrean Scout Transport)

Not exactly an action figure, but still cool nonetheless. Imagine if Kenner had made a micro collection AT-AT too. Hmmmmmm, what could have been.

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure Pic Of The Week # 8: Ion Cannon Leia



Hoth Ion Cannon Princess Leia


Listen up fella's.

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Pic of the Week # 6 : Hoth Wampa Cave Probe Droid

Command of the Prisoner...Commander of the tape. That is what the probe droid is saying in it's transmission to the Empire in The Empre Strikes Back. That's my story and I am sticking too it.

Random Pic(s) from The Batcave Toy Room Archive #16

Return of the Jedi toy insert

Return of the Jedi Toy Preview (backside)

The excitement of what was to come....

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure of the Week #3

Vintage Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection R2-D2

Short people got no reason...

Star Wars Micro Collection R2-D2

Vintage Star Wars Action Figure Display Arena 1981-1982 by Kenner

The Star Wars Action Figure Display Arena came with four L shaped cream colored figure stands and four two-sided color picture cards attached in pairs, which gave you eight different backdrops in all. Also included were assembly instructions and toy catalog from Kenner's Empire Strikes Back line.

The Display Arena was offered on Empire Strikes Back 45 back cards for ten proof of purchase seals from the back of the backer cards and $2.00.

Since I was a box hoarder and kept not only my boxes from playsets and such, I also kept the backer cards from the figures. Thus giving me an endless supply of proof of purchase seals. Whenever a free mail in offer came around, I was always ready to go and didn't have to buy five or more new figures to get the exclusive toy or actions figures Kenner would offer. With this offer however, I had neglected to notice that this one was not for free, but actually would cost two bucks. I had mistakenly sent only the proof seals, but shortly after sent the money to follow, but this had caused a lot of back and forth of seals and checks. I must say though, Kenner's customer service was outstanding and eventually everything came together. Thanks to Kenner, I am able to share this toy (if I may be so bold as to call it that)with you today.

The Star Wars Action Figure Display Arena mailer was the Empire Strikes Back follow up to the Star Wars logo Display Stand. This display arena provider kids with ESB backdrops for displaying their figures. Sorry, gang. The original offer expired July 31, 1982. So you'll have to find this one on eBay.

You can see a video how the arena came packaged HERE.

Knight Glider Batman Glider and Triple Strike Robin Kenner 1998

A couple of weeks ago The Super Duper Toy Box posted the awesome score of a Turbo Glider Robin and Robin w/Launching Grappling Hook. So, I thought I would post my counterparts to these awesome action figures. I believe I received these two figures for my 27th birthday from my ex-wife's friend. I am always amazed how so many friends and family members have no idea what to get me for my birthday or holidays. It's easy folks...more toys. Most refer to me as the guy who as everything. That's simply not true. I guarantee there is something out there that I don't have. The world is a giant toy box.

Knight Glider Batman with Jet Wing Pack & Anti-Crime Cam

This Batman is part of The New Batman Adventures series and is molded after the animated TV version. The glider is really cool and as a strip that slides it to reveal different scenes involving Robin.

Notice the BE THE BATMAN CONTEST with a chance to win a $1,000,000. I never entered that contest and the peel and stick entry from is still firmly attached.

Triple Strike Robin with Multi Cannon Slinger

This Robin is part of the Batman & Robin series and one of the action figures created for toys related to the movie of the same name. The slinger comes with 3 different projectiles that resemble grappling hooks to me. Sort of like Batman's Batzooka from the TV series.