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The auction in this headline was a historical sale, not a newly announced auction: NYLine advertised the LEGO Star Wars Toy Fair 2005 VIP Gala Darth Vader Transformation package for public bidding from April 21 to May 17, 2005. The announcement said proceeds would support the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation’s Fun Center program. No verified current auction listing for this exact package is established here.
What the 2005 auction included
NYLine’s April 4, 2005 announcement described a package that combined the VIP Gala edition of LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Transformation with Toy Fair and event memorabilia. Its listed contents were:
- A VIP Gala invitation featuring Anakin
- The Toy Fair 2005 VIP Gala edition of Darth Vader Transformation
- A signed LEGO Star Wars poster
- A Toy Fair poster
- A Toy Fair tote bag
NYLine described the special edition as set 7251 housed in a limited slipcase. BrickEconomy further describes the package as including exclusive blister-carded Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader figures and a special outer presentation box. Those details distinguish the promotional package from the ordinary retail set.
How the VIP package differs from retail set 7251
Retail set 7251, Darth Vader Transformation, provides the build associated with the rare package. BrickEconomy says the build is identical to the later retail version; the scarcity lies in the VIP Gala presentation, exclusive figures and associated event items—not in a different build. Owning the standard retail set therefore does not mean owning the VIP Gala collectible.
#1 Best Overall
- LEGO Star Wars buildable toy starship playset for kids – Build a detailed and playful brick built version of the Imperial Star Destroyer and recreate iconic scenes from Star Wars: A New Hope
- 7 LEGO Star Wars minifigures – Including Darth Vader, Commander Praji, an Imperial Gunner, Imperial Navy Trooper, a Stormtrooper and a LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary minifigure of Cal Kestis
- Build your own Star Wars starship set – A hidden foldout carry handle for flight play, 2 spring-loaded shooters and a lift-off top panel and foldout side panels for access to the detailed interior
- Creative building playset – The interior features the bridge, command room, break room, armory, control panels, cargo box with Kyber Crystal and thermal detonator elements
- Gift idea for Star Wars fans ages 10 and up – This collectible Star Wars toy for kids makes a fun holiday or birthday gift for boys, girls and any fan
How many were made—and what is known about value
NYLine stated that 55 copies were produced, and Brick Fanatics repeated a 55-copy figure in a 2024 article. This is a reported production count, not an independently verified tally: BringMeSolo uses the uncertain wording “55 or 75 made.”
Brick Fanatics gave an estimate above £4,000 in 2024. That is an estimate, not a documented hammer price or a guaranteed current value. BrickEconomy displays a database valuation in euros, but that figure is dynamic and likewise should not be treated as proof of what this package sold for. No verified current listing for the exact item is established here, so these figures do not establish a present-day asking price or sale result.
Rank #2
- Star Wars Collectible Millennium Falcon build-and-display model – Spark memories of classic scenes as you build a mid-scale LEGO brick recreation of the most iconic starship in the Star Wars universe
- Authentically detailed Star Wars vehicle – Recreate iconic features of the Millennium Falcon, as seen in Star Wars: A New Hope, in LEGO style, including the cockpit, satellite dish and cannons
- Made for display – The buildable stand has a nameplate and LEGO Star Wars 25th Anniversary brick, it's also designed to display the Millennium Falcon at a dynamic angle for a perfect home décor centerpiece
- Part of the LEGO Star Wars Starship Collection – This set is part of a collectible series featuring mid-scale buildable models of iconic Star Wars starships
- Gift for Star Wars fans and memorabilia collectors – Treat yourself or give this 921-piece adults’ LEGO building set as a birthday gift to a friend with a passion for Star Wars
What to check if you encounter a listing
Because the package is more than the retail build, compare any listing against the described presentation and contents rather than relying on the set number alone. For a high-value collectible, useful checks include:
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- Whether the listing shows the special outer box or slipcase and the blister-carded figures, not just retail set 7251.
- Whether the event memorabilia included in the listing is identified clearly, including the invitation, posters and tote bag.
- Whether photographs document condition and any missing or damaged components.
- Whether the seller can provide credible provenance or other evidence supporting the item’s identity and completeness.
- Whether the claimed price is backed by a completed sale of a comparable package; estimates and database valuations are not completed-sale evidence.
NYLine’s reference to eBay concerned its 2005 auction announcement. It does not establish that the package is currently listed there or on another marketplace.
Rank #3
- JOIN THE REBEL ALLIANCE – Builders ages 8 and up recreate epic missions from Star Wars: Andor Season 2 with the LEGO Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Starfighter
- FUN PLAY FEATURES – Kids can transform the iconic ship from landing mode to the distinctive 'V' formation flight mode, use a lever to release the cockpit canopy, and activate 2 spring-loaded shooters
- 4 STAR WARS CHARACTERS – Young rebels command missions with Cassian Andor, face off against Dedra Meero and an ISB Tactical Agent, or team up with the reprogrammed Imperial droid K-2SO
- ENHANCED BUILDING EXPERIENCE – The LEGO Builder app helps young rebels visualize their model in 3D as they build, track progress and save designs
- GIFT IDEA FOR STAR WARS FANS – Makes a great birthday present or anytime gift for 8-year-old boys, girls, and fans who love the epic world of Star Wars
Why the auction was open to non-VIPs
The VIP Gala edition originated as an invited-guest promotion at the 2005 International Toy Fair in New York, according to Brick Fanatics. The later NYLine auction made a package available through public bidding rather than limiting access to invited guests. NYLine said the proceeds would benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation’s Fun Center program. That public-auction angle explains the original headline; it does not mean a new public sale is underway now.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack for kids – Recreate Star Wars: The Clone Wars scenes with this buildable action toy, featuring LEGO figures, a speeder bike vehicle, accessories, and more
- 4 LEGO Star Wars minifigures and 5 LEGO figures for action play – A Clone Shock Trooper, 3 Clone Troopers, 3 Super Battle Droids and 2 Battle Droids with assorted accessories
- Buildable LEGO Star Wars speeder bike – The speeder bike has 2 stud shooters, 2 holders for blasters and space for 2 Clone Troopers
- Unlimited creative role play for kids– A tri-droid with a rotating top and 3 flick shooters, a STAP speeder for a Battle Droid, a defensive post with a stud shooter, a thermal detonator element and more
- Collectible Gift for Star Wars fans aged 7 and up – Give this fun, collectible building toy to kids who are into Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Rank #4
- LEGO R2-D2 Star Wars buildable toy figure – Create a playful centerpiece featuring this detailed brick-built LEGO figure of one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe
- Buildable fantasy toy display model with playful details – R2-D2 has a 360-degree rotating head, detachable third leg for mobility, an attachable periscope and attachable tools
- An R2-D2 LEGO droid figure and a LEGO Star Wars minifigure – The main buildable toy model comes with an R2-D2 LEGO figure, plus a LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary minifigure of Darth Malak
- Fun centerpiece – Complete the Star Wars room décor display with an R2-D2 information plaque and a stand decorated with the LEGO Star Wars 25th Anniversary logo for the Darth Malak LEGO minifigure
- Gift for Star Wars fans aged 10 and up – Give this collectible LEGO toy building set to kids who are into Star Wars and collectors of Star Wars memorabilia
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
