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Jordan Hembrough sits with the Perales family of Anaheim, California, for the the fifth episode of Our Star Wars Stories. The Perales family shares a love of Star Wars and cosplay. Photo: Lucasfilm
Shows like The Big Bang Theory regularly showcase main characters talking about high-end collectibles and the demand for them ... so it’s not surprising that it will creep into the lives of casual viewers. I actually had a couple in my gallery the other day looking at some high-end Star Wars statues from Sideshow, and one of them commented, “That’s like the one on The Big Bang Theory in the comic shop.” PI: As the marketplace changes, what trends are you seeing in collectibles for this year? JH: I have a lot of people asking me for vintage Star Wars toys and vintage Marvel collectibles. As we lead up to Star Wars: Episode IX, and Avengers: Endgame, I think people are starting to realize that many of the characters they grew up with will not be around. People are asking me to complete sets of original Kenner Star Wars figures for them, and I’ve seen a rise in demand for Captain America and Iron Man collectibles. This trend is always expected when it comes to a new movie opening, but with Star Wars specifically, Lucasfilm has said this marks the end of the Skywalker Saga storyline—so it’s a rather unique circumstance. For the short term, I expect this trend to continue.
PI: With retro toys continuing to remain special, are there any modern toy lines that have the potential to be as exciting for collectors 30 to 40 years from now as the toys of the ‘70s and ‘80s are today? JH: While they may not be specifically toys, I do like the stuff Hot Toys is doing. The quality of the product is just so amazing with regard to detail. People are displaying these in their homes and offices, and I expect some of the rarer pieces to become highly valuable in the future. The same can be said with many of the Premium Format statues from Sideshow Toys. I have seen those jump in value, and they are simply stunning. I have three of them in my office. PI: Beyond the high-end pieces, have you identified any particular items from recent kid-focused lines that could become highly sought-after in the years ahead? JH: The demand for the larger LEGO sets increased. LEGO has a really unique and timeless anchor in the market, and their toys have just gotten better with time. The really cool thing about LEGO is that they have added so much detail to their building sets (Hogwart’s Castle, Millennium Falcon) while keeping their basic play pattern the same. They are building blocks, pure and simple.
Yet, they have evolved this concept over time by adding characters and increased play value to their sets. PI: After all the decades and countless miles, what excites you most about keeping the hunt alive? Do you find that it gets harder as time goes on? JH: You know, it’s funny; 2019 will mark my 33rd year as a toy dealer. I have traveled all over the world and sold tens of thousands of toys. The hunt for rare items always remains the same—it’s always tough. The main thing that has changed over the past five or so years is the way I interact with my customers. For me personally, it’s no longer about the price attached to the rare toy ... it’s the story that goes along with it. I love hearing how people acquired a certain item, or why they are selling. There have been some incredible people that have come into my life all because of a toy, and I always want to speak to them and hear their story. ✪ To learn more about Jordan Hembrough and his store, visit hollywoodheroes.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @jordanhembrough. Keep up to date with Our Star Wars Stories at starwars.com.
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