TREASURE HUNTERS

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Apr 12, 2009 | by JAMES BREESE

Q I HAVE an original Star Wars toy figures from the late 1970s. It is of the character Darth Vader and is complete in his original packaging.

The figure was bought for me at the time and my mother paid the grand total of 99p! I was given the same figure by a relative so I kept this one unopened.

The packaging is in very good condition, though the colour is a little faded. I have heard that unopened action figures are more valuable. Any info please? - Jason Barber, Cardiff

A THE Star Wars action figures were one of the most famous toys of the 70s and early 80s.

They were affordable and wellmarketed so plenty were sold but it's still unusual to find them in unopened condition.

Palitoy made the British versions of the toys and in collecting circles they are considered more desirable than the US-made Kenner examples.

The price for an almost-new condition Darth Vader would be pounds 400 or so. With a little light damage, perhaps up to pounds 375.

A specialist auction house such as Vectis might be a good place to sell if that's your plan.

Q I HAVE been given some glassware. One of the pieces is called Television Vase and is made by a company called Whitefriars.

It is amber coloured. Is it of special interest? - Martha Hatton, Birmingham

A THE Television Vase is one of a range of superb designs from the famous British glass company. This was designed by Geoffrey Baxter who almost single-handedly lifted the profile of the firm in the Sixties and Seventies.

The shape was known as 9677 and featured a rectangular main panel containing smaller rectangles. It was produced in one size and several colours from 1967-70.

Whitefriars was extremely popular three or four years ago, but has dipped slightly since then. In your amber colour, known as Cinnamon, it is now worth around pounds 100. Other colours can make more.

Q AS a young lad in the 1960s, I was given a Corgi toy car gift set featuring the Bentley and Lotus from The Avengers TV series.

The packaging is complete and quite tidy and I even have the model club slip which came with it at the time. How much it is worth? - David Manners, Acton, West London

A THERE were very few promotional items produced for the cult TV series when it switched to colour. This Corgi "40" Gift Set was produced in 1967 and was quite expensive to buy costing pounds 16/ 11.

It has eccentric Sixties-style packaging and the cars are nicely reproduced - Steed's Vintage 1927 Le Mans Bentley in red and black and the Lotus Elan Sl, driven by Emma Peel, in white.

To be complete the set should include three small umbrellas as well as the figures of the characters and club slip. If you have the box in great shape, the gift set could make you pounds 250 to pounds 450.