Clone Wars VS. Prequel Trilogy VS. Original Trilogy - 2/4

Thanks to those of you who have been reading this series of the LEGO Star Wars BrickIndex Top 20 Performers! If you are just picking up here, here's a small introduction to what I have been writing about.

One of the helpful features of BrickPicker is that it provides the values of LEGO sets from various themes throughout the LEGO world. Another is that BrickPicker does a basic analysis of sets from a certain theme, and finds the Top 20 Performers of that theme, or of all themes. One theme that particularly interests me is LEGO Star Wars. In the following article, I will be making a more in-depth analysis of the Top 20 Performers of LEGO Star Wars in increments of 5. You can read the first entry by clicking here.

6. 8031-1: V-19 Torrent

7. 10175-1: Vader's TIE Advanced

8. 20018-1: BrickMaster AT-AT Walker

9. 8009-1: R2-D2

10. 10179-1: Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon

 

6. 8031-1: V-19 Torrent
 This is the first polybag thus far in the Top 20 SW BrickIndex. This set plays a fairly important role throughout the Clone Wars TV show, but to me, does not particularly stand out amongst other vehicles. Prior to the month of February 2013, this set saw stability, mainly slightly above the $7 mark. After the holidays however, it saw a growth in value.If we compare the number of sets sold and the sold price, we see some correlation in between the two charts.

**Please note that the Units Sold has been divided by a factor of 5 in order to better show change.** In particular, pay attention to the region in the red box, which shows a very close relationship between the Units Sold, and the Value Amount. As more are sold, the value increases, because once a unit is sold, the supply goes down, but demand stays more or less the same. This is fairly unique circumstance because usually when the price is higher, there are less sales, in anticipation for a lower price.
 

This is the first set that originates from the Clone Wars. My prediction of why it has done better than many of its “kin” is because of its low cost. The majority of the targeted audience of the Clone Wars TV show is children, in the 5-12 range. Because they do not have high paying jobs, and rely on allowances for gifts, often small things will have to make a substitute for larger things, in this case, the V-19 Torrent polybag serves as a substitute for the larger V-19 Torrent.

7. 10175-1: Vader's TIE Advanced

Vader’s TIE Advanced plays an iconic role in the epic chase between Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader, which ultimately results in the destruction of the Death Star. Because of the nature of its origination (in the climax of Episode IV: A New Hope), it is one of the most iconic scenes and vehicles of the movie, lesser than very popular ships like the Death Star itself. The build is much stronger than those of regular TIE Fighters more commonly found, with a stronger structure connecting the wings to the main central cockpit.

In the last 6 months, this set has increased in value over $100, up from $255 to $357. This is a prime example of an set that can serve as an investment even several years after its retirement. If this set continues is current trajectory until the holidays, it should be a $350+ set at the start of 2014.

8. 20018-1: BrickMaster AT-AT Walker
The 20018 BrickMaster AT-AT Walker is the second polybag in the Top 20 Performers, and the first promotional item. BrickMaster was a program in which subscribers paid a flat fee of about $40, and then receive “two coupons for use at LEGOshop.com, 6 LEGO models (delivered by mail to your home every other month); 6 issues of the Brickmaster magazine with Bionicle comics; and one coupon for one free admission to LEGOLAND California.” * BrickMaster lasted from November 2007 to June 2011, and included 3 LEGO Star Wars BrickMaster sets, one of whom was 20018 AT-AT Walker. Because of the exclusivity of the availability of the set, and because it is one of the most iconic vehicles in the Star Wars world, it is not a surprise that it is valued so highly. Unlike the V-19 Torrent polybag however, the growth in value doesn’t reflect the quantity sold. It is rather the opposite.

 **Please Note: The units sold has been lowered by a factor of 10 in order to better show change.**

If we focus into the region in the red box, we see nearly mirrored movements, which is usual. Generally when there are more sales, the value is less, due to increased availability.

* Quote from http://voices.yahoo.com/review-lego-brickmaster-club-membership-2457109.html.



9. 8009-1: R2-D2
This is one of the few LEGO Technic and Star Wars sets, and they have generally been strong performers. This particular model is very nice because it has several moving parts, as well as since it stars the universally recognizable R2-D2. Though R2-D2 has never uttered a single word, with his counterpart C3P0 usually translating, he is loved throughout the world. I see very little correlation between the number of sets sold and the value amount, as there is a highly variable amount of sets sold per month. The price of 8009 R2-D2, had largely remained constant around the mid-to-high 30’s, in the 6 months before February 2013. In March 2013, the highest number of new sets were sold at 17. The value of R2-D2 also increased about $7, which is the largest change in value we had seen for several months. It has slowly increased in the last 3 months to rest at a value of $49.00.

Note: I expect the UCS R2-D2 to do similarly in value, at least doubling. Pick those up!!

10. 10179-1: Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon
What can be said of this gem of a LEGO set? Only that it is the most valuable LEGO set ever, and is still climbing!! When the 10179 UCS Millennium Falcon was first released, few who wanted it could afford it. Those who could afford it were in for a little treat…

At just a glance, the value of the UCS Millennium Falcon looks to be all over the place, varying in value $500 some months! Do not be fooled! The Falcon is just about as sure an investment as you can get, and as sure a display. What is the key to the set’s success? Well, this is one of the few, few, UCS sets to have more than 2 minifigures. The whole set is minifigure scale, which gives it some edge over other UCS sets that it can accommodate them. Also, this is the largest UCS set ever. In addition, this is the most expensive UCS set, which makes it much harder for many to afford. One thing that does not go for this set is production run. This set ran for three and a half years, which is longer than sets usually last in retailers for. Does this hurt this set as an investment? Sure, maybe 100 investors were able to get a handful more each, but the value of the set does not diminish no matter how many more you might put on the market!