Luke Skywalker Bubblegum Card Sells for a Cool $73K as STAR WARS Collectibles Go Galactic

The Force is clearly still strong with collectors, and a recent auction just proved it in a big way. AsThe Mandalorian & Grogugears up to bring Star Wars back to theaters, one of the franchise’s earliest pieces of memorabilia has surged back into the spotlight.

A vintage bubblegum trading card featuring Luke Skywalker just sold for a jaw-dropping $73,007, smashing expectations and setting a new benchmark for this kind of collectible.

This card dates all the way back to 1977, when Topps released its first Star Wars trading card series. At the time, it came packaged with a simple stick of pink gum, the kind most kids probably chewed without a second thought.

Fast forward nearly five decades, and that same piece of cardboard is now considered a prized artifact. The example sold at auction was labeled “mint” condition by Heritage Auctions, which played a big role in pushing its value to record-breaking territory.

That card wasn’t the only item pulling in serious credits. The auction as a whole raked in an impressive $3,811,584, showing just how massive the collector market for Star Wars has become.

Among the standout items was a stunning five-foot Millennium Falcon display model, built using authentic Industrial Light & Magic techniques. This wasn’t just a replica, it was a museum-worthy piece that had previously been showcased at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It sold for $371,629, setting a record for a non-production-made Star Wars model.

On top of that, a helmet worn by Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian brought in $42,471, giving collectors a chance to own a piece of The Mandalorian history. Meanwhile, comic book collectors showed up in force as well, with a rare Star Wars #1 35-cent variant selling for $172,542.

Joe Maddalena, Executive Vice President of Heritage Auctions, said: “These results demonstrate just how powerful and expansive the Star Wars collecting universe has become.

“From vintage trading cards that redefined expectations—especially the Luke Skywalker rookies—to a museum-quality Millennium Falcon and record-setting comic books, we’re seeing extraordinary demand across every category.”

It’s a fascinating snapshot of how enduring Star Wars really is. Whether it’s original trilogy nostalgia, modern streaming hits, or rare collectibles, fans continue to invest emotionally and financially in the franchise.