Latest news with #cllct
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rare Luke Skywalker toy expected to sell for six figures
In the world of collectible action figures, it's tough to beat the 1978 Kenner Luke Skywalker. Arguably the most recognizable toy of its era, the Skywalker has long been among the most coveted among collectors, and considered the 'holy grail' of production action figures. The rocket-firing Boba Fett, which made headlines last year when one sold for an eye-catching $1.34 million, is a prototype and thus considered in a separate category. What might be the single-finest and most significant example of a Skywalker figure in the world, graded AFA 90 (one of two at the grade with none higher), with a double telescoping lightsaber, is currently at auction at LCG and is expected to rake in $100,000 to $200,000. The double telescoping designation signifies the figure was released prior to the modification of the lightsaber early on in production to release cost and streamline production — making it the rarest of rare for the popular figure. RELATED STORY: Searching for Skywalker: The quest for a signed Luke rookie card The other AFA 90 example of a DT Skywalker sold for $100,251 in 2022, setting a record at the time for the most expensive production figure ever sold. That record has since been eclipsed by a DT Darth Vader which fetched $130,095 earlier this year. LCG writes in its auction description that, between the offered figure and the other which they sold in 2022, this reigns supreme thanks to various condition factors in addition to a fully extended saber visible within the package. 'This anomaly is unexplained, and we could only find one other example of this feature in the online auction archives made public by the major auction houses (our search included all three characters featuring DT saber: Luke, Vader, Ben Kenobi),' writes LCG in its lot description. The current bid is $24,200 with 11 days remaining at auction. Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The National reports record attendance for third straight year
The National Sports Collectors Convention reported a third consecutive year of record attendance Monday following the event's five-day show in Rosemont, Illinois. Organizers failed to provide an approximate total, but reported 'double-digit growth' over the roughly 100,000 collectors to attend the 2024 show in Cleveland. The total represents the second consecutive year of double-digit growth following a similar mark in Cleveland over 2023's event in the Chicago area. Rosemont hosted the 45th National last week from Wednesday through Sunday. Including 2025, Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center has hosted the show 11 total times, and the venue is scheduled to host again in 2026 and 2027. Detroit edged out Atlanta in a vote by dealers last week to host the convention in 2028. Detroit has never hosted the convention previously, though the event's second show in 1981 was hosted by Plymouth, Michigan. Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture. He was previously the Collectibles Editor at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on X and Instagram @benmburrows.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fyre Festival name, branding sells for $245k on eBay
Organizers of the Fyre Festival failed to deliver on the event's lofty promises. (Credit: eBay) The Fyre Festival brand, including its IP, trademarks and social media assets, sold for $245,300 on eBay on Tuesday afternoon. The ill-fated festival became infamous in 2017 after its founder, Billy McFarland, was unable to deliver on lofty promises and flashy marketing — resulting in attendees receiving tent lodging and packaged sandwiches instead of promised villas, despite some paying thousands for tickets. Advertisement McFarland later pled guilty to wire fraud and was ordered to pay $26 million to those harmed by the event. 'I've done a lot of crazy things, but this might be the craziest thing yet,' McFarland said on Instagram last week. 'Today I am taking the most famous festival brand, Fyre Festival, and putting it up for auction on eBay, starting at one cent. We've had over 1,000 offers for the Fyre brand, but I am done playing games.' Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible content.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greg Louganis' Olympic medals head back to auction
Greg Louganis won two golds in 1984 and two in 1988. (Credit: RR Auction) The most decorated American diver is selling three of his five Olympic medals. Greg Louganis, who won two golds in 1984 and two in 1988, along with a silver in 1976, is parting ways with the physical reminders of his greatness. Advertisement The medals were previously offered as part of a collection he sold in 2023 at Bonham's, but didn't sell when bidding failed to hit the reserve. Louganis says he is selling the medals because he could use the money. He is selling his house and would combine the proceeds and put it toward a new adventure. 'When people come over they ask where my medals are,' Louganis told cllct. 'And sometimes I wouldn't know because I didn't have it on display. I'm 65 now, and I've gotten to the point where I feel like so many of my possessions own me.' As of Tuesday morning, Louganis' most valuable medal — the 10-meter platform gold from 1988 — is at a high bid of $23,478, including buyer's premium. In those Summer Games in Seoul, Louganis famously hit his head against the diving board in the prelims. Advertisement Closely behind in the bidding is his gold from the 3-meter springboard in 1984, with a top total bid of $22,700. Louganis' first medal — a silver he won at 16 years old in 1976 — sits at $5,980, including buyer's premium. Bidding at RR Auction ends July 17. 'I want them to go someplace where they'll be appreciated,' Louganis said. Louganis gave his other 1984 gold medal (10-meter platform) to his coach Ron O'Brien in 2013. The medal was returned to Louganis when O'Brien died in November 2024. Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Willie Mays auction to feature MVP awards, championship ring
Treasures from the life and career of Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays will be sold at Hunt Auctions this fall, highlighted by his championship ring, MVP awards and Presidential Medal of Freedom. All proceeds will go to education, training and health services for youth via the Say Hey! Foundation. Advertisement Mays, who left an indelible mark on the game of baseball and American history writ large over his illustrious career, died at age 93 last June. Hunt Auctions, which has long led the industry as the top auction house for player collections, previously handling the estates and collections from greats including Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, was chosen by Mays to sell his collection. According to Say Hey! Foundation chair and friend of Mays, Jeff Bleich, Mays' one instruction to Hunt Auctions founder David Hunt was 'make this the best auction ever to help those kids.' "For all of his extraordinary achievements as a baseball player, Willie Mays wanted his enduring legacy to be helping children," Bleich said in a statement. "He preserved his most treasured awards so that one day he could pay it forward. He wanted to share these items with his fans so that together they could raise as much as possible to support other kids starting out in life the way he had." Advertisement Among those items Mays preserved that will now find new homes are his 1954 Giants World Series ring (est. $500,00-$1,000,000), both of his MVP Awards (est. $250,000-$500,000 each) and his Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he was awarded in 2015 (est. $50,000-$100,000). Nearly all of the items in the auction have never before been sold publicly, with a handful of exceptions, which Mays re-acquired form the public market. 'We are deeply humbled and grateful to Willie Mays for having been selected to represent this important offering of his personal collection,' David Hunt said in a statement. 'Willie has ensured his generosity will continue long into the future with the wonderful work that his Say Hey! Foundation has accomplished with the proceeds of this auction going to help further that good work. "This auction will undoubtedly stand the test of time as one of the most important player collections ever to be publicly offered and may well become yet another 'greatest all-around' event befitting of the iconic legacy of the Say Hey Kid.' Advertisement The live auction will be held Sept. 27 at the King Street Warehouse event space near Oracle Park in San Francisco. Following the auction, an online sale of additional items from the collection will be held Sept. 28. The collection will be displayed publicly for the first time at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago on July 30 to Aug. 3. Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible content.
