Luke Skywalker, 56, once held a Guinness World Record for amassing the UK’s largest Star Wars memorabilia collection - once valued at £1million.(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

Star Wars mega fan who changed name to Luke Skywalker is selling his collection

Star Was mega fan Luke Skywalker, 56, who holds a Guinness World Record, is selling his vast collection of Star Wars toys and memorabilia with bidders from across the globe set to swoop in

by · The Mirror

One of the world’s biggest Star Wars collectors, who even changed his name to Luke Skywalker, is selling his vast set of toys and memorabilia.

Luke Kaye, 56, once held a Guinness World Record for amassing the UK’s largest Star Wars memorabilia collection - once valued at £1million. He’s had a lifelong obsession with the films and met its stars so many times he became friends with Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew - who played Chewbacca.

Dad-of-five Luke, of Swindon, Wiltshire, became so friendly with Princess Leia actor Carrie Fisher she even stayed at his family’s house - and mentioned him in her book. Over the years since the age of 13 he has amassed a huge collection of Star Wars toys and collectibles - enough to fill a warehouse.

One of the world’s biggest Star Wars collectors, named Luke Skywalker, is selling his vast set of toys and memorabilia. Seen here with the late Carrie Fisher and on screen Luke Skywalker Mark Hamill.( Image: Luke Kaye / SWNS)

The first set is now being sold on Friday with one Jedi lightsaber set to fetch at least £7,000 on its own. Another auction of over 16,000 items will be held in January. His collection was previously reported to be worth £1million.

Experts say it is impossible to put a value on it - as they cannot predict what super-rich Star Wars fanatics might pay. Luke says it is a lifetime’s work and ‘worth a fortune’. He said: “Every penny I’ve ever earned has been put into my collection.

Luke Skywalker with some cute Ewoks from his vast collection.( Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“A lot of these items have been in museums up and down the country, and there are some really unusual and rare pieces in there. It needs to be framed up and put up on walls and cherished by others too. My collection is so important to me but it is so enormous now.

‘I could never just sell a few bits and bobs - I want to preserve the collection as a whole so people can enjoy it.’ He added: “I remember the first time I saw Star Wars.

‘’I was on holiday with mum and dad, and as soon as we saw the film I went straight to the toy shop to start buying toys. I cannot go anywhere - clothes shops, books shops, wherever - without hunting for something Star Wars-related.’’

Luke Skywalker, 56, became friends with film star and Peter Mayhew - who played Chewbacca.( Image: Luke Kaye / SWNS)

The first 230 lots will be auctioned by Wessex Auction Rooms in Wiltshire with the sale attracting interest from fans around the globe. Some of the highlights of the auction include a Jedi lightsaber made by the ‘Saber Master’ Norman Harrison.

It was made as a back-up prop and later gifted to seller Luke by Norman and signed ‘To Luke Skywalker from Norman Harrison. Have fun’. Also in the lot are personalized number plates S7AR W that come complete with the V778 retention documents with an estimate of £10,000.

Luke is also selling 50 extremely collectable ‘Master Replicas’ series items including lightsabers, blasters, and helmets - expected to make more than £7,000. There are also original Star Wars toys, and full-sized replica models amongst the lots being sold.

Auctioneer and BBC Bargain Hunt expert Tim Weeks will be handling the sale on December 6. He said: “It’s been no surprise that as soon as we published the catalogue online we have been receiving emails and calls from buyers and fans around the world.

Luke Skywalker, 56, posing with a helmet from his large collection.( Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)

“This might be the one chance that someone has to purchase some of these items in their lifetime, so I am expecting some fierce bidding. ’It is no doubt one of of the biggest collections in the world and hard to value as nothing really like it has ever gone to market before.

‘’It only takes a millionaire Star Wars collector, and there are many of them, to see something they want and go for it. The sheer size and quality of it is incredible. I have been doing this a long time and have never seen anything like it.

‘’It is the most unique and outstanding collection I have ever sold.’’ Luke said: “Because my name is Luke, I thought I was Luke Skywalker when I saw the films for the first time. i thought he was a hero - that film just took everybody by storm. The goodies, the baddies, monsters, furry creatures - it had a bit of everything!”

16,000 of more of Luke’s costumes will also be going up for auction in January including Star Wars, Star Trek to Wizard of Oz.

The auction house has public viewing available on December 4 and 5 as well as on the auction day – December 6 from 9am.

Bidders are welcome to attend in-person, via telephone, or via the live online auction feed.

To view the collection online visit here.