1979 Kenner Star Wars Rocket Firing Boba Fett 3 ¾" Prototype Action Figure
Action Figure Authority - AFA Serial# 10108996
This 1979 Kenner specimen features the revised "J- style" firing slot configuration intended for product safety testing. It is molded in an extremely light grey thermal formed plastic, and unlike earlier unpainted "first-shots" featuring the original "reverse L-style" configuration, is a full paint scheme example with both licensing (copyright) and country of origin stamps on the back of the legs. Like most of these later, near production "Rocket Fetts", the bottom of the feet show the hallmarks of the Kenner labs indexing procedure - both are marked: "PC" on the left foot; "L" or number "7" on the right - a possible indication of the batch number or testing procedure to which it belonged. It has been encased by AFA for preservation at a grade of AFA 80 NM - Please see "Detailed Grade Report" for explanation.
According to the 1997 Tomart Publications - "Tomart's Price Guide to Worldwide Star Wars Collectibles"; Sansweet / Tumbusch - (hardback) second edition - only 40 examples of this J-style action figure are sited as having been made for testing. Today, about 20 or so of those examples are believed to exist; at least three of which, are known to have their plastic extensions for the "J-slot" broken or damaged.
Initial authentication for the figure is attributed to hobby icons: Gus Lopez, Don Gibbs and Tom Tumbusch, all who have affixed their signatures to an accompanying document that details the "find" that were the discovery of this figure and a few others. The authentic eight ribbed "8-sidded" missile encapsulated with this figure is from Tom Derby. The further validation from Mr. Derby at "Collectible Investment Brokerage" for AFA truly makes this figure one the best documented and scrutinized in the history of the hobby! - A memo from the original purchase from Mr. Gibbs, along with a copy of his original 1998 Toy Shop auction ad for the figure, is also included. An additional Letter of provenance from Rachfal Enterprises will also accompany this purchase.
Grade AFA 80 NM
