Aah, Lego. The perennial building toy was a staple of Star Wars toy collections for years thanks to all of us GFFA-crazy kids making our own MOC versions of George Lucas’ ships and characters. These creations were a popular hobby among Star Wars fans and often ended up being featured in fan magazines from the time.
But nothing compares to the real thing – which was why the launch of Star Wars Lego in 1999 was such a huge event for both Lego enthusiasts and Star Wars fans.
Prior to 1999 Lego had produced more than a few space-themed sets, most prominently the “Classic Space” line, which ran from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. These sets included spaceships, bases, and minifigures, but they were not tied to any specific intellectual property.
Lego’s official partnership with Lucasfilm – the toy company’s first licensing deal with any outside organisation – changed the game completely.
The partnership was announced ahead of the release of that year’s Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, but the first sets to hit market were based on iconic vehicles and scenes from the Original Trilogy.
The Launch Sets
The initial wave was released in March and included five different sets featuring characters, vehicles, and scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy. These sets ranged in size and complexity, from small, simple builds like Speeder Bikes to larger, more intricate models like the X-Wing Starfighter.
Here’s a breakdown of each set released in the 1999 Star Wars Lego launch wave:
7110: Landspeeder
This set featured Luke’s landspeeder as seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It included 49 pieces, two minifigures (Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi), and retailed for £6.
7128: Speeder Bikes
This set featured the iconic speeder bikes from Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. It included 93 pieces, three minifigures (Luke Skywalker and two Scout Troopers), and retailed for £10.
7130: Snowspeeder
This set was based on the Rebel Alliance’s snowspeeder from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. It included 215 pieces, three minifigures (Luke Skywalker, Dak Ralter, and a Hoth Rebel Trooper), and retailed for £20.
7140: X-wing Fighter
This set featured the iconic Rebel Alliance starfighter from the original Star Wars trilogy. It included 266 pieces, four minifigures (Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Biggs Darklighter and a Rebel Technician), and retailed for £30.
7150: TIE Fighter and Y-Wing
This set included both the Imperial TIE Fighter and Rebel Alliance Y-Wing starfighter from the original Star Wars trilogy. It included 409 pieces, three minifigures (Darth Vader, Jon “Dutch” Vander and R5-D4), and retailed for £50.
Minifigures
No Star Wars Lego lineup would be complete without a minifigure – and 1999 gave us plenty.
Back in the early days of the line these characters were in classic Lego yellow. I would say it’s a look that doesn’t seem to ever get old, but I think that’s more reflective of my age!
Modern-Day Value
Star Wars Lego has grown from strength to strength over the last two decades, with the designs getting bigger and better year-on-year. All the same, whether it’s for nostalgia, historical value, or simply to get them all, the launch sets from 1999 have become highly sought after by collectors and fans alike.
Here are some estimated values for the original 1999 Star Wars Lego sets, based on recent sales data from BrickSet:
- 7110 Landspeeder: £57 new, £19 used
- 7128 Speeder Bikes: £65 new, £23 used
- 7130 Snowspeeder: £62 new, £30 used
- 7140 X-wing Fighter: £209 new, £45 used
- 7150 TIE Fighter and Y-wing: £183 new, £55 used
The value of these original Star Wars Lego sets varies depending on their condition, completeness, and rarity. Generally, sets that are still in their original packaging and have never been opened are worth the most.
Overall, the launch wave of Star Wars Lego in 1999 was a huge success. The sets were well-designed for the time and captured the spirit of the movies in a way never seen before.
In the decades since 1999, Star Wars Lego has become one of the most popular franchises in the Lego universe. The success of this venture led the way for more licensed properties in brick form, encompassing everything from Batman to branded sports cars.
From the excitement of finally getting Luke Skywalker in Lego to building the hype for The Phantom Menace, the 1999 launch wave will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans who were there to witness the birth of this iconic partnership.
