Today, LEGO has announced the launch of an exciting collectible item in the shape of a wooden minifigure. It’ll have a launch in the UK for the 1st and 2nd November and will receive a wider distribution through the LEGO store VIP program from 3rd-7th November 2019 and globally from the 8th of November onward. Price information per country is listed at the end of the article.

Set Pictures

This beautiful, 5:1 upscaled, wooden version of the classic LEGO® minifigure is handcrafted from FSC-certified oak, with adjustable yellow plastic hands just like today’s LEGO minifigures. The last LEGO product to combine both wood and plastic was the 1130 Bedford firetruck 60 years ago in 1959.

1130 LEGO Bedford Firetruck
Press Release and Product Information

853967 LEGO® Wooden Minifigure

Iconic Wooden Minifigure model for creative customization!

London, November 1st: Launching with the LEGO® Originals Wooden Minifigure 853967, the LEGO Group and design specialists Room Copenhagen are introducing a new range of products dedicated to fans who love a bit of LEGO nostalgia and playful interior design. The product was revealed today at a unique LEGO Originals Pop Up Store and Gallery in Covent Garden, London where fans can drop by for a chance to pick up this rare and limited-edition model before it goes on sale more widely to LEGO VIP-members on LEGO.com from November 3rd to 7th, then globally from November 8th.

Founded in 1932 by master carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the first LEGO toys were hand crafted from wood. His craftsmanship and attention to detail secured a high level of quality for the products, but when wood supplies became scarce in the aftermath of the second World War, Ole started supplementing his production with plastic toys and the rest is history…

Speaking in 1950, Ole Kirk Kristiansen said: “I have always been committed to making the nicest and most robust objects, and just like other carpenters I believe the best type of advertising is when the product promotes itself. Our purpose is to produce a really good, solid and finely crafted piece of work, and ensure LEGO products always be known for their exceptional quality”.

Respecting our heritage as a producer of high-quality handmade wooden toys, this premium model is handcrafted from FSC-certified oak, with adjustable yellow plastic hands just like today’s LEGO minifigures. The model measures over 7” (20cm) tall, 4” (11cm) wide and 3,5” (9cm) deep. The last LEGO product to combine both wood and plastic was the 1130 Bedford firetruck 60 years ago in 1959.

This 5:1 upscaled version of the classic LEGO minifigure is presented in a premium gift box with a 28-page booklet featuring the history of the minifigure and the story behind the development of this wooden model. Also included are inspiring examples of how LEGO designers personalised their models, as well as inspiration for accessories fans can build using the included LEGO bricks. A number of LEGO designers have already given their take on how to personalise the model, and the results will be exhibited for a limited time at the LEGO Originals Pop Up Store and Gallery in London.

Since its arrival in 1978, there have been over 8,000 different minifigures launched, not to mention the many versions children have created themselves. This new edition is no exception. Owners are encouraged to unleash their creativity to decorate and customize the minifigure in unique ways, display with pride at home or the office and share their creations via social media using #LEGOOriginals.

“It has been a privilege for us to expand our collaboration with The LEGO Group and contribute to the world premiere of a new series of design classics,” explains Jacob Eberhard, CEO of Room Copenhagen. “Going back to the roots of the company and helping to bring back some of the original LEGO toys in new creative ways is an exciting journey to be part of.”

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Celebrate a true icon of play with this beautiful, posable LEGO® Originals Wooden Minifigure (853967). A 5:1 upscaled version of the classic minifigure, it is carved out of oak and has adjustable plastic hands. It is presented in a premium gift box with a leaflet featuring inspirational ideas for owners to customize the model in their own ways, plus instructions to build 5 cute items using the included LEGO bricks.

• A beautiful, 5:1 upscaled, posable wooden version of the classic LEGO® minifigure introduced to LEGO sets in 1978, for display as it is or for ‘make-it-your-own’ customization.
• Reflecting LEGO® origins as a producer of handmade wooden toys, this premium-quality model is handcrafted from FSC-certified oak, with adjustable plastic hands just like today’s LEGO minifigures.
• This set also includes a 28-page leaflet featuring the history of the minifigure and the development of this wooden model, plus inspiring examples of how LEGO® creatives personalised their models.
• The leaflet also has instructions on how to build 5 fun little models for the minifigure to hold using the included 29 LEGO® elements.
• Presented in a premium gift box, this set makes a fantastic birthday, Christmas or nostalgic present for LEGO® fans and any creative person.
• Owners can unleash their creativity to dress up, paint or do whatever they want to customize the minifigure in unique ways and then show off their creations via social media using #LEGOOriginals.
• Measures over 7” (20cm) tall, 4” (11cm) wide and 3” (8cm) deep.

LEGO® Originals Pop Up Store and Gallery in London
Location – 9 – 11 Shorts Gardens, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9AT
Date/time – Friday 1st Nov, 12.00 – 16.00 and Sat 2nd Nov, 12.00 – 16.00
Pop up event will showcase the LEGO® Originals Wooden Minifigure, alongside unique and individual personalisation versions of the minifigure by LEGO designers. A limited number of the wooden minifigure will be on sale and each purchase will come with an exclusive LEGO Originals piece of artwork only available from the event and the LEGO VIP Reward Centre.
Purchases at the event are limited to 1 per person per day.

Customization Ideas

As these wooden minifigures are blanks, one can choose to customize them as some of the LEGO graphic designers have done as below. Treat it as your canvas 🙂

FAQ’s

Does it have any moveable parts?

The only moveable parts on the LEGO Wooden Minifigure are the hands. This was a conscious decision made by the product designer after exploring many iterations of the concept.

The high tolerances we are able to achieve when making the LEGO System minifigure are not possible when working with wood, so to avoid a deterioration in the articulation of the wooden minifigure over time and to ensure the product adheres to our strict toy safety guidelines, the limbs and head were kept static.

It was also important to the LEGO Group that the plastic hands work with the LEGO System in Play and therefore allows consumers to have fun building the new accessories shown in the leaflet.

Why are there no holes under its feet?

This has been designed as a decorative model for which reason we have had to leave the holes out to ensure a steady foundation.

Why are its hands plastic?

Product quality and safety is our highest concern at the LEGO Group, and just as with any other LEGO product, it is absolutely crucial that the LEGO Originals Wooden Minifigure meets the strict toy safety requirements we operate with.

Due to the thin and therefore weaker spots on the minifigure hands, only the plastic material used for classic minifigure hands ensures also kids can safely play with this model.

Wooden hands would simply too easily break and splinter from being dropped, which we do not allow as part of our safety assessment. We also see the merge of wood and plastic as a celebration of our heritage, in fact it has been 60 years since we last launched a product featuring both of these materials – this was the 1130 Fire truck.


Pricing information by country:
Country Recomended Retail Price (RRP)
Germany 119.99 EUR
USA 119.99 USD
Austria 119.99 EUR
Australia 179.99 AUD
Belgium 129.99 EUR
Brazil 849.99 BRL
Canada 154.99 CAD
Switzerland 159.0 CHF
China 1199.0 CNY
Czech Republic 2999.0 CZK
Denmark 1099.0 DKK
Spain 119.99 EUR
Finland 149.95 EUR
France 119.99 EUR
United Kingdom 109.99 GBP
Greece 139.99 EUR
Hong Kong 1099.0 HKD
Croatia 129.99 EUR
Hungary 39990.0 HUF
Ireland 119.99 EUR
Italy 119.99 EUR
Japan 13657.0 JPY
South Korea 169000.0 KRW
Mexico 2499.0 MXN
Malaysia 549.9 MYR
The Netherlands 129.99 EUR
Norway 1399.0 NOK
New Zealand 219.99 NZD
Poland 549.99 PLN
Portugal 119.99 EUR
Romania 599.99 RON
Russian Fed. 8499.0 RUB
Sweden 1399.0 SEK
Singapore 199.9 SGD
Slovenia 129.99 EUR
Turkey 699.9 TRY
Taiwan 4599.0 TWD
Ukraine 3999.0 UAH
South Africa 1999.99 ZAR

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