A $1,000 Star Wars grail, signed by the designer
LEGO is putting serious bragging rights on the line: a designer‑signed Ultimate Collector Series Death Star set, 75419, autographed by César Carvalhosa Soares. For collectors, a signature like this turns a flagship release into a one‑of‑a‑kind display piece. For anyone circling a day‑one buy, the timing lines up with a stack of launch promos and early access perks.
The sweepstakes is open to LEGO Insiders and offers two paths to enter. Online entries cost 50 Insiders points each via the Insiders Rewards section. If you’d rather not spend points, there’s a mail‑in option: send an entry card with your full name, postal address, and your Insiders account number to OST Consumer Services LEGO Insiders 001, LEGO Company Ltd, 33 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3UF, United Kingdom. Mail entries must be postmarked by October 16, 2025 and received by October 31, 2025.
There’s a hard cap of 50 entries per person for the entire entry window. Only the first 50 entries you make—whether they’re online using points or by mail—will count. Anything above that is disqualified. Buying LEGO won’t improve your odds, which is standard sweepstakes language, but worth repeating for anyone weighing a big cart just to boost chances.
Odds always depend on the total number of entries, and eligibility can vary by location, so it’s smart to read the official rules for your region before you burn points or mail anything. If you plan to go the mail route, give yourself time for international post. And if you’re leaning into points, budget them now so you’re not scrambling once entries open.
- Entry methods: 50 points per online entry via Insiders Rewards, or free mail‑in entry with your details and Insiders number
- Mail address: OST Consumer Services LEGO Insiders 001, LEGO Company Ltd, 33 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3UF, United Kingdom
- Deadlines: Mail entries postmarked by Oct 16, 2025 and received by Oct 31, 2025
- Limits: Max 50 entries per person; only the first 50 count
- No purchase advantage: Buying products doesn’t increase your chance of winning
Beyond the sweepstakes, the set itself is the headline. The UCS Death Star (75419) lands at $999.99 in the U.S. (£899.99 in the U.K. / €999.99 in Europe), with Insiders Early Access starting October 1, 2025. General availability begins October 4, 2025 through LEGO Stores and online. If you’ve followed past UCS releases, you know the pattern: early sell‑through at launch, followed by sporadic restocks. Planning matters if you want day‑one add‑ons.
Launch promos, key dates, and why this Death Star matters
LEGO is stacking incentives around week one. From October 1–7, while supplies last, buyers of the UCS Death Star get a Star Wars TIE Fighter with Imperial Hangar Rack (40771) as a gift with purchase. It’s the kind of small build that neatly complements a UCS display without stealing shelf space. On top of that, Insiders can redeem a limited‑edition, individually numbered poster tied to the Death Star for 5,000 points starting October 1. Only 5,000 posters exist worldwide, and at over 80 cm tall and 60 cm wide, it’s sized to anchor a wall above your build.
If you’re sitting on a decent points balance, the math gets interesting. You can funnel points into sweepstakes entries at 50 points a pop, or hold 5,000 points for the collectible poster. Both are limited opportunities but in different ways: the sweepstakes offers a chance at a signed set you can’t buy, while the poster is guaranteed if you redeem early enough. If you want both, line up your timing—redemptions on the poster will go fast.
The set itself is positioned as an event release for Star Wars collectors. It lets builders recreate signature moments from the saga: the Vader vs. Obi‑Wan lightsaber duel and Luke and Leia’s bridge swing among them. That mix of cinematic dioramas and imposing exterior lines is classic UCS: display‑first design with enough storytelling baked in to keep the build from feeling cold. Expect a black‑box presentation, a thick instruction book, and a build geared toward experienced fans.
For long‑time followers of LEGO Star Wars, any new Death Star is a milestone. Earlier takes skewed toward playset interiors; a UCS‑branded model signals a lean into display scale, surface detailing, and visual accuracy. At this price tier, LEGO typically throws its best techniques at the problem—paneling, greebling, and sub‑assemblies that lock into that unmistakable sphere‑with‑a‑scar silhouette.
The designer signature is the kicker. César Carvalhosa Soares’ autograph elevates the prize from premium to singular. Signed LEGO sets rarely surface outside special events, and when they do, they tend to live on shelves, not eBay. For many collectors, the value is sentimental more than financial: you’re tying the object to the person who solved the design puzzles behind it.
If you’re budgeting for launch day, block out a few things. This is a huge, heavy model. Make space for the box and the build. Clear a work surface for multiple sessions—UCS projects can run long, and breaking the build into stages makes it a lot more enjoyable. A stable final shelf is not optional; the footprint and weight will punish flimsy furniture.
Strategy‑wise, a few approaches make sense:
- Chase the poster early: 5,000 units worldwide won’t last. If it’s a must‑have, prioritize that redemption on October 1.
- Time your purchase in the promo window: October 1–7 for the TIE Fighter gift, but don’t wait if stock looks tight.
- Split your points: Reserve enough for the poster (if you want it), then push the rest into sweepstakes entries up to your personal cap.
- Use mail‑in as a backup: If your points are low, batch a few mail entries early and track postal timelines.
One more practical note: make sure your Insiders account details are current before you enter—name, address, and email. For mail entries, write clearly and include your Insiders account number exactly as it appears in your profile. The sweepstakes limits are strict; you don’t want an avoidable mismatch to knock out an entry.
As for availability, Early Access has become the main pressure point on big LEGO launches. If you’re an Insiders member and plan to buy, October 1 is your best shot at stacking everything: the set itself, the TIE Fighter gift, and an early grab at the poster. If you’re on the fence about the purchase, the sweepstakes gives you a low‑cost way to take a shot at something even rarer—the signed edition—without committing four figures.
Circle the dates, check your points balance, and decide how you want to play it. Whether you’re building, displaying, or rolling the dice on a signature, this Death Star is set up to be the fall showpiece for LEGO Star Wars fans.
