The little plastic snap-together blocks, LEGOs,, are among the most popular children's toys available, firing the imagination of both boys and girls. However, aside from pure, free-form inventiveness, LEGO sets also offer more structured options, including sets based on popular movies and books. There areBatman LEGO sets and Harry Potter LEGOs sets,, for example. Some of the most popular LEGO toys of all time are the Star Wars sets,, beloved by children, adult hobbyists, and collectors. One way to get into this hobby is simply to buy a set that looks interesting and put it together. There is no wrong way to have fun with LEGOs. However,knowing a bit more about what other people enjoy about the Star Wars sets, especially for collectors interested in maximizing collection and resale value. Collecting LEGO Star Wars sets begins with reviewing what these sets contain, of course. However, just as important is deciding whether to collect sets for resale or to collect them for personal enjoyment.
Playing with a set does lower its resale value somewhat. However, resale value can change, or even crash, but a fun toy is still fun no matter what the market is doing. LEGO Star Wars sets are models of starships, vehicles, locations, and even characters from the Star Wars movies,, only made from LEGO bricks. They are easier to assemble than other types of model, so they are less intimidating to beginners, and since they are not glued together they can be assembled over and over again, like a puzzle. They come with miniature figurines or minifigs,, depicting various Star Wars characters and are perfect as sets and props for imaginative play. LEGO Star Wars sets are popular as toys for children and puzzles and display pieces for adult hobbyists and they are valuable collectors' items. LEGO involves a certain almost kitschy playfulness; the sets are blocky, not designed to scale, and accompanied by minifigs that are not remotely realistic. Yet at the same time, some of the Star Wars sets are very impressive as models and show a startling degree of accuracy and a fond fidelity to the Star Wars fictional universe.
LEGO Star Wars sets are among those rare categories of items that do not become cheaper when sold second-hand. The reason is that each set normally sells for only about two-years before being retired. Older designs are therefore rare and range from slightly more expensive to dramatically more expensive than when originally sold retail, depending on their popularity of specific pieces. The original prices also vary dramatically, depending on the size and complexity of the set, with a large set sometimes selling for several hundred dollars new. What makes a given set popular with children and hobbyists is difficult to pin down precisely, but it comes down to how much fun the set is to play with. The subject of the set has something to do with it; several versions of Han Solo's ship, the Millennium Falcon,, have come out and they have all been popular. Star destroyers are also popular, since they are large, complex ships with all the glamour of the movies' villains. Sets that are large and challenging to build are great fun for adults, though they may be too difficult for children to enjoy.
A set that looks great once assembled is also a good find. Some sets, such as the Death Star,, include settings for many of the important storyline locations and thus are great for imaginative play. Some of the larger sets have a problem with holding together; since LEGO sets are not glued, large sets are sometimes a bit too heavy for the snaps between the bricks and the whole thing could come apart, if not handled properly. Some of the best sets are therefore those that can hold together despite impressive size. Some collectors are, of course, hobbyists who simply want a large number of sets to play with and display. For them, the desirable set is simply the one that looks great and is fun to put together. Many collectors, however, are interested in LEGO Star Wars sets primarily for their resale value. They, too, are interested in the sets hobbyists like, but the collector is likely to leave the set in its box, unopened, in order to protect its value; therefore, unopened sets are of higher collectors' market value.
The number and type of minifigs is also important, since some people collect minifigs specifically. Some minifigs, such as storm troopers, come as part of almost every set and therefore do not have much value. Others, such as Jengo Fett, come with only a single set and are thus very rare and very valuable. Some minifigs also come in multiple versions, with the rare versions going for more money. This table lists some of the most popular and valuable Star Wars sets. Ultimate Collectors Sets are a particular line of very complex sets made for adult hobbyists. They tend to be much more expensive, but much more impressive-looking, than other sets. Has over five hundred bricks Half represents the first Death Star, half the second Very big, with a lot of detail Has treads that turn for steering Only set to include the popular Jengo Fett minifig Has over a thousand pieces This list is, of course, not exhaustive. It is also in no particular order. Both popularity rankings and price rankings change a lot over time.
eBay is a good place to look for LEGO Star Wars sets. Many of the rarer, out of print sets are available here. In addition, the sight is easy to search and straightforward to use. No matter what movie, or character is your personal favorite, you can be there at the birth of Darth Vader or the final demise of the Empire. Begin browsing with a simple search for Star Wars LEGO and narrow the results as much as desired by using the menu options. Alternatively, to search for something specific, use the Advanced Search feature. It is also possible to get loose minifigs or extra bricks, without having to buy a whole kit. If any questions about a listing come up, just ask the seller. There is a contact link on his or her profile page, along with other helpful information. For example, some sellers offer free shipping, a helpful service given the weight of the larger sets. There is no real wrong way to buy LEGOs, as long as the buyer stays within a budget that works for them.