Week 12: Sandpeople

Well, I lied. I have put the Jawa Toy of the Week on hold until I get some more pics of some loose variations for forum member DM. I am interested to see these and the Jawa TOTW will be rather large as I have a few loose variants myself.

Moving on though, I thought I would go ahead and progress to the next figure and that is the vintage Sandpeople (more commonly known as the Tusken Raider these days). I don't have any real amusing anecdotes when it comes to this figure, and the only memories I have of it from childhood is wishing I had a Bantha for it and that my little step-brother hadn't bit the head off my original Sandpeople figure.

Anyway, there are some interesting aspects about this carded figure. With the early 12 and 20/21 back release, Sand People is clearly spelled out as two words. 

With some of the ESB releases it is spelled Sandpeople (one word) and then with the ROTJ release he is known now as Tusken Raider (Sand People). See pics. 

Also thanks to Rik Biel for the ESB carded image (Sandpeople as one word). The others are taken from www.12back.com. According to Kellerman's book, the Sandpeople are known to exist on the following card backs:

SW 12 Back B,C
SW 20 Back A
SW 20 Back G w/Fett offer and round offer extended to 3/31/80 sticker 
SW 20 Back H w/Fett offer and rectangular sticker offer extended to 12/31/80 over previous sticker
SW 20 Back K w/Secret figure offer sticker over Fett offer
ESB 21 Back G w/Secret figure offer
ESB 31 Back B
ESB 41 Back A w/survival kit offer
ESB 41 Back E
ESB 47 Back A w/4-LOM offer
ESB 48 Back C w/Ackbar Revenge offer
ROTJ 65 Back B
ROTJ 77 Back A

***The Sandpeople did not see release on the POTF card.

As always, I have dug up some foreign carded Sandpeople pics. Foreign carded figures are a bit of an interest to me, but not one I am to willing to embark on. Some of these can be very pricey. Most of these images again come from www.toysrgus.com. Tri-Logo pic from www.12back.com.

Harbert (Italy) 12 Back Sandpeople "Sabbipode" The Italian Translation is what is usually used on these Harbert cards:

Meccano (France) 20 Back Sandpeople "L'homme des sables" Again, the title of the figure is the French translation:

Palitoy (U.K.) 12 Back Sand People:

Toltoys (Australia) 20 Back Tusken Raider Note the name on the card. Tusken Raider and not Sand People:

Tri-Logo (U.K. Europe) Tusken Raider (Sand People) (Homme des Sables)

Loose Variations: The most commonly known variant is the "solid cheek tube" vs. "hollow check tube" variation. I have both figures and looking at the pics you can see there are some other differences between the two figures. 

The "solid tube" (left side) figures bandolier and belt are a much darker in color as well as his gloves than the "hollow tube" (right side). Both figures have a COO of Hong Kong and date. However the "hollow tube" figures COO and date is slightly higher up the leg and the text is slightly larger as well. 

Also it appear that the gaffi stick for my "hollow tube" figure is a bit darker in color as well. Looking at this accessory closer, I believe it to be a reproduction.....again. I am almost to the point now that I don't really care about reproductions anymore. It is becoming a major pain to weed out reproduction weapons. I do not know really what the story is behind the hollow/solid cheek tube Sandpeople. I have seen several "hollow tubes" MOC figures and they seem to always be on ROTJ cards on Ebay. As far as other variants, I am sure there are several....foreign, Palitoy, Trilogos, Taiwan COO, no COO etc.

I haven't talked at all about 12" figures yet as they are really not my thing, but I felt like I had to mention the 12" Lili Ledy Sand People figure from Mexico as this was the only vintage Kenner era release of the Sand People or Tusken Raider. As you can see from the pics, the quality of the figure is kinda cheesy, but that quality itself also adds the the piece's desireability. These figures are rare and hard to come by loose and complete not to mention very hard to come by boxed and very expensive as well....in excess of $500 or so. 

Pricing: (Ebay completed auctions)

SW 12 back MOC (non graded): $255
SW 12 back MOC (AFA 85): $387 (another ended at $600)
SW 20 back MOC (non graded): $117-$202
ESB 41 back MOC (non graded): $46+
ESB 47 back MOC (AFA 85): ended at $118 (reserve not met)
ROTJ 48 Back (non graded): $26-$35

Loose: Generally $10 or less, however the "hollow tube" can go for $30 to $50.

Next week, I think with the help of Rik Biel we are gonna talk alittle about the Death Squad Commander. 

 

 Thanks for reading!