WOLF REVIEW. 13th September 2024
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a WOLF Architect.
The difference is in the fine print.
Introduction
This review focuses on loose out of package figures.
Product description
The Red Bar R5-D4 is a unique and rare variation distinguished by a small 1cm long bar that is filled in red. This figure was a part of the second wave of original action figures released in initially in 1978.
Made in HONG KONG
Price and Availability.
Prices naturally depend on condition and demand. Figures in mint or near mint can command over US$1000. Such high prices mean that even poor conditioned figures with yellowed bodies and worn stickers can fetch a few hundred dollars.
Additional information
R5-D4 was also released on Empire Strikes Back cards in 1980 and Return of the Jedi cards in 1983 and the red bar variation has been seen on all of those releases.
Is this the most expensive bit of red ink in Star Wars Universe?
Delight
R5-D4 is one of those characters who saw very little screen time and was in “A New Hope”. Despite that he was curiously manufactured across the entire trilogy. For a long time, this Astromech droid lived in the shadows of his iconic friends R2D2 and C3PO. As a result of that he has always been rarer as a collectible and therefore worth more, with the exception of the Power of the Force Pop-up Saber R2D2.
A very mint example.
Since the red bar existed across all three movies, we can’t assume that this was an error or misprint. It seems more likely that a smaller production line somewhere was simply filling in this little rectangle with red ink. Although the red bar is quite obvious and sought after by collectors today, it has only gained recognition in recent times. For a long time, the print on stickers went relatively unnoticed, and we think that it was probably gained traction when reproductions stickers started to flood the market.
The red bar
Here is genuine red bar figure next to a high-quality reproduction. The visual differences are minimal, but the price difference is huge!
Collectability and what to look for.
Condition is always important with loose Star Wars figures but with this figure another consideration more critical than with most is authenticity. Reproduction stickers are everywhere and have become hard to distinguish from the original. Legs and heads can also be swapped from one figure to another. Sometimes a less mint example with clear signs of age might be the safest way to identify an original. A non-red bar figure can also have its bar coloured in by a professional artist and this can really be hard to distinguish since the figure and sticker are in fact original.
R5-D4 actually has several minor renovations but the RED BAR is the most distinguishable
Far right is a quality reproduction.
WORD OF THE WOLF
Although this figure is rare and expensive, you can occasionally get lucky and come across a red bar R5-D4 hidden amongst a group of toys. The days of such barn find however are numbered and most of the time the condition will be worn, especially with the stickers. We can think of more essential variations to own and paying over a thousand dollars for a little bit of red ink seems crazy. Die-hard collectors however will have to have one, and we know of at least on near mint example in 2023 that sold for Aust $1500.
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.