If you're digging through a bin of old Star Wars toys, finding a crisp bib fortuna vintage figure is always a bit of a rush. He isn't exactly the most heroic guy in the galaxy—actually, he's pretty slimy—but there is something undeniably cool about that 1983 Kenner release. Whether you remember him whispering "De Wanna Wanga" to C-3PO or you just like the way his weird head-tails look on a shelf, Bib is a staple of any serious Return of the Jedi collection.
That Creepy Jabba Vibe
When Kenner started rolling out the figures for the third movie, they really stepped up their game with the sculpts. The bib fortuna vintage figure was a prime example. Unlike some of the earlier figures that looked a bit generic, Bib actually looked like the character on screen. They nailed the pale, sunken eyes and that unsettling, slightly toothy grin.
What really stands out, though, is the costume. For a long time, Star Wars figures were mostly plastic. If they had a cape, it was that thin, vinyl stuff that usually tore at the armholes after a few play sessions. But Bib was different. He came with a "soft goods" robe, which was a fancy way of saying he had actual fabric clothes. It gave him a bit of dignity, even if he was just Jabba the Hutt's glorified errand boy.
The Struggle with the "Soft Goods"
If you're hunting for a bib fortuna vintage figure today, the robe is usually the first thing you check. Since it was made of a felt-like material, it didn't always age well. You'll find plenty of loose Bibs out there where the robe is pilled, stained, or—worst of all—missing entirely. A naked Bib Fortuna is a sad sight, let's be honest. He just looks like a tall, pale guy in a grey jumpsuit.
The robe also had a tendency to attract dust like a magnet. If a figure sat on a shelf for forty years without a case, that fabric is going to be a bit grimy. But when you find one that's still clean and bright, it really makes the figure pop. It's that textural contrast between the hard plastic of his "lekku" (those head-tails) and the soft fabric of his coat that makes him one of the most interesting pieces from the original line.
Don't Lose the Staff
Then there's the accessory. Every bib fortuna vintage figure was supposed to come with a greyish-tan staff. It's a weird, spindly little thing with a pointed end. In the hands of a kid in the 80s, that staff lasted about five minutes before it vanished into the depths of a shag carpet or got swallowed by the vacuum cleaner.
Because it's so small and looks like a random piece of plastic scrap, original staffs are surprisingly hard to come by. A lot of the ones you see on eBay these days are "repros" (reproductions), which collectors generally avoid like the plague. If you're looking for the real deal, you've got to check the "drop test." If you drop an original plastic staff on a hard surface, it has a distinct, high-pitched "tink" sound. The fakes usually sound dull. It's a weird thing to care about, but that's the life of a vintage collector.
The Famous Lili Ledy Variant
If you want to get into the weeds of bib fortuna vintage collecting, we have to talk about the variants. Most of the Bibs we see were made in Hong Kong or Taiwan, but there's a legendary version from Mexico made by a company called Lili Ledy.
The Lili Ledy Bib Fortuna is the "holy grail" for many. Why? Because he comes with a burgundy-colored cape instead of the standard tan/grey one. He also usually has a darker, more detailed staff. Finding one of these in good condition is like finding a needle in a haystack, and the price tag usually reflects that. It's one of those things where a non-collector would look at it and say, "Why are you paying five times more for a guy in a purple coat?" But to us, that purple coat is everything.
The "Nose Rub" Problem
One thing you'll notice if you look at a lot of loose bib fortuna vintage figures is the dreaded nose rub. Because his face sticks out and isn't protected by a helmet or a hood, the paint on the tip of his nose is often the first thing to go. You'll see a lot of Bibs with a little white or flesh-colored spot right on the bridge of their snout where the grey paint has worn off.
It's a minor thing, but it's one of those "condition" markers that separates a $20 figure from a $60 figure. If you find a Bib with a perfect nose and a clean robe, you've hit the jackpot. It means some kid probably didn't play with him too roughly—or maybe they were just as intimidated by him as the droids were.
Carded Figures and the "Jabba's Palace" Backdrop
For the folks who like their toys trapped in plastic forever, a carded bib fortuna vintage figure is a beautiful thing. He was released on the Return of the Jedi card back, usually with a photo of him looking particularly sinister in Jabba's dimly lit throne room.
There are different versions of the card back, too. You've got the 65-back, the 77-back, and so on, referring to how many figures were pictured on the reverse side. If you're really lucky (and have a very healthy bank account), you might find him on a "Power of the Force" card, which came with a collectible metal coin. Those are incredibly rare because by the time the Power of the Force line hit shelves, Star Wars mania was actually starting to die down a bit.
Why He Still Holds Up
So, why do we still care about a bib fortuna vintage figure forty years later? Part of it is pure nostalgia, sure. But part of it is the sheer weirdness of the character designs from that era. George Lucas and his team were coming up with some truly bizarre creatures, and Kenner did a fantastic job of translating that movie magic into something you could hold in your hand.
Bib Fortuna wasn't a main character, but he was essential to the atmosphere of Jabba's Palace. He was the gatekeeper. He represented the bureaucracy of the criminal underworld. When you set him up on a display shelf next to a vintage Jabba the Hutt and a Gamorrean Guard, the whole scene just comes to life.
Tips for New Collectors
If you're just starting out and looking to pick up a bib fortuna vintage figure, here's a bit of advice: take your time. Because he was a common figure, there are plenty of them out there. You don't have to jump on the first beat-up one you see.
- Check the lekku: Make sure the head-tails aren't chewed or cracked.
- Feel the robe: If it feels stiff or "crunchy," it might have been washed or treated with something it shouldn't have been.
- The Staff: If the staff looks too perfect and the price is too low, it's probably a reproduction.
- Standability: Some vintage figures have loose limbs, making them "bobble-headed" or unable to stand. Bib is usually pretty sturdy, but check those hip joints.
At the end of the day, the bib fortuna vintage figure is just a classic piece of toy history. He's creepy, he's stylish in his own alien way, and he's a reminder of a time when a piece of fabric and a bit of grey plastic could fuel an entire afternoon of imagination. Whether you're looking for a mint-on-card masterpiece or just a "well-loved" version to sit on your desk, Bib is a must-have. Just maybe don't let him whisper in your ear. It never leads to anything good.