Gentle Giant Mini-Busts

[JediMAC]

I've only recently jumped into this line myself, mostly 'cause I've been able to score most of the OT busts for only about $30 each (shipped).  So with the increased edition sizes pushing the costs down a bit, it made the overall line more attractive (affordable) to me, so I hopped on the bandwagon too.

Of course, going back and picking up those 2,500 one's Bob mentioned, like the Fett and Vader (I presume), is gonna be extremely challenging.  Pretty concerned about those, as they're both usually running in the $200+ range.  Oh well.  Someday...

Not to mention that blasted GG Christmas gift of the Silver/Gold Sandtrooper a couple weeks ago...   

I just like how these Busts look though, and that they're pretty affordable now.  Don't care about the values myself, though I know there are those who do, so I can see how this line may be taking a dive in their view...  To each their own.   

[Morgbug]

Lines taking a dive is great news to me, as long as it's just price and not quality.   I'll happily pick up Vader and Fett when the prices tank.  BTW, Vader is running over $300 all the time now

Value is secondary.  I like to not lose money over time, but I don't buy things strictly on the premise that the value will increase.  That's what the stock market is for (long term).  I learned that back in the 80s/90s with comics.  $1000 worth of Marvel Comics is now worth $100.  $1000 worth of Marvel stock is now worth $10,000.  Or at least it was at one time. 

[JediMAC]

Look at Boba Fett. At 7500, he's one of the most highly produced busts, yet he still commands $200+ on the secondary market. They could have made 10,000, even 15,000 of his bust and it still would have been a sell out, and probably still sell for more than the original $50 price tag. Now Darth Vader on the other hand, only had an issue size of 3500. Lot smaller, and I would have to say that there are more Darth Vader fans than Boba Fett fans out there.

Wow, didn't realize Fett was made in such large quantities.  Granted, I DO see an awful lot of him up on eBay, much moreso than the Vader anyway...

So what were the ones with the 2,500 edition sizes?  Just some of the Prequel characters?  If so, I'm not worried about those, since I'm only collecting the OT busts.

[jokabofe]

Yeah, the only OT bust that had a limited run was Vader, with 3500. Every other OT bust has been at least 5000. Just imagine how much Boba Fett would be going for if his run was only 2500 or 3500.... $600??

[Nicklab]

The lowest run for a production mini-bust was 2,500 pieces, and those were all PT pieces.  The lowest exclusive PT piece is the blue Clone Trooper at 1,000 pieces.

The lowest run on an OT mini-bust is 3,500 pieces.  That record is shared by Darth Vader and the 2004 summer con exclusive Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper armor.

[JesseVader08]

These are the edition #'s that I found in ToyFare #85, p.48-85; also their street values as of Sept 2004 (which are of course out of date by now):

Anakin Skywalker - 2500 - July 2002 - $45
Biker Scout - 7500 - Jan 2004 - $45
Boba Fett - 7500 - May 2003 - $175
Bossk - 5000 - July 2004 - $55
Clone Trooper - 3750 - Aug 2003 - $85
Clone Trooper Captain (red) - 1250 - July 2001 - $250
Clone Trooper Commander (yellow) - 2500 - Aug 2003 - $100
Clone Trooper Lieutenant (blue) - 1000 (Comic-Con, Wizard World 03) - July 2003 - $315
Clone Trooper Pilot - 2500 - Mar 2004 - $120
Clone Trooper Sergeant - 2500 (StarWarsShop.com) - Apr 2004 - $125
Count Dooku - 2500 - Oct 2002 - $50
Darth Vader - 3500 - Jan 2003 - $225
Darth Vader (Chrome) - 4000 (GalacticRewards.com) - Dec 2003 - $225
Gamorrean Guard - 4000 - Oct 2004
Grand Moff Tarkin - 6000 - Jan 2004 - $55
Greedo - 7500 - Feb 2004 - $50
Jango Fett - 2500 - Oct 2002 - $170
Jango Fett (Chrome) - 5000 (GalacticRewards.com) - May 2004 - n/a
Luke Skywalker - Stormtrooper - 3500 (Comic-Con, WizWorld 04) - July 2004 - $45
Luke Skywalker - X-Wing Pilot - 7500 - Sept 2004
Mace Windu - 2500 - June 2002 - $55
Obi-Wan Kenobi - 2500 - July 2002 - $55
Padme Amidala - 2500 - July 2002 - $45
Stormtrooper (Deluxe) - 10,000 - Aug 2004
Yoda - 3500 - Jan 2003 - $190
Zam Wesell - 2500 - Oct 2002 - $60

EDIT: Changed Clone Trooper Captain to reflect edition size of 1250 pieces, as stated in SilverSpyder's reply below.  Thanx!

[SilverSpyder]

These are the edition #'s that I found in ToyFare #85, p.48-85; also their street values as of Sept 2004 (which are of course out of date by now):

Clone Trooper Captain (red) - 5000 - July 2001 - $250

Actually the (red) has an edition size of only 1250.

[jokabofe]

Looks like the posibility of another exclusive:

translate please

[Morgbug]

Looks like the posibility of another exclusive:

translate please

Translation: Please to note that new chrome sandtrooper bust from Gentle Giant will be available only to certain ebay sellers.  They will subsequently charge you your left nut to obtain this item.  If left nut not available, right nut will suffice. 

[Scott]

Except this visual of sour source, because it is not the work of private which chromium plates the busts but indeed of Gentle Giant, we still have few infos for the moment on this future exclusive bust, but this new silver must-to be apparently soon dispo.

We will keep you informed!

[JesseVader08]

Translation: Please to note that new chrome sandtrooper bust from Gentle Giant will be available only to certain ebay sellers.  They will subsequently charge you your left nut to obtain this item.  If left nut not available, right nut will suffice. 

That's a hell of an accurate translation!        I guess right nut will have to suffice.

[JesseVader08]

 

Darth Vader Mini-Bust on eBay

[Stim]

Looks like the posibility of another exclusive:

translate please

Translation: Please to note that new chrome sandtrooper bust from Gentle Giant will be available only to certain ebay sellers.  They will subsequently charge you your left nut to obtain this item.  If left nut not available, right nut will suffice. 

I saw on rebelscum these are being sold online at the forbidden planet website.  Anyone thinking of ordering one now or are we all pretty sure these will make their way to some U.S. retailer? 

Looks like they'll be about $70.00 + shipping from forbidden planet...althought there's a chance they'll be 17.5% cheaper if they subtract the british VAT tax...which would make them not too much more expensive as the busts over here...

I'm not a completist with this line, but something about this one is grabbin' me and I don't want to miss out...

-Steve

[jokabofe]

Anybody know if they are going to be selling them to foreigners outside the UK??

[JesseVader08]

Anybody know if they are going to be selling them to foreigners outside the UK??

I just went to their website, and went through the ordering process as far as entering my credit card info.  When I entered my country, it never told me it couldn't be shipped to me.  Now, I didn't actually order it, because I'm not willing to spend this much.  But it appears that I can be ordered outside the UK.

That being said, I decided to e-mail them and ask first.  When I get a response, I'll let you know.