set ever used to be a lot harder to define. Back when I was a child in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was often a large disparity between piece count, size and price – different sets in a given year could hold the title in each of those categories. Since the mid 2000s, everything has coalesced and sets have emerged in a much clearer fashion. With the exclusion of a single
Group and getting something that would never have been made otherwise. While a much panned reboot did technically correspond with this set, there is no way it was greenlit on anything less than the
Group’s confidence that a bunch of 1980s kids who are now gainfully employed adults would pick it up in droves. It is truly an amazing set, with a level of internal detail which would make any modular building extremely jealous. It will be interesting to see how long it is before an established franchise other than
gets this level of love based on confidence in the AFOL market. Currently 75827 reins supreme in that category, as well as making the top five biggest sets. Perhaps in 20 years we can get that UCS Hogwarts that the
2017 is shaping up as something of a banner year for collectors – and also their credit card provider. 70620 NINJAGO City joins the new Millennium Falcon in giving 2017 two slots in the top five largest
Group’s modular building line that a play structure this big would be approved. Even more than that though, is the fact that 70620 is unique to this list as the only offering not based on a world renowned landmark or beloved sci-fi franchise. Every other set on this list hails from something with a huge established fan base completely outside of
While the Taj Mahal reigned as the highest piece count of all time, it was eclipsed in every other way by this 2007 masterpiece. Footprint, subject matter, and cost made 10179 the stuff of legend. More than any other product from the
sets are worth more than gold, and the accompanying image is this set. Its astronomical aftermarket price is hard to comprehend, especially for a sealed copy. However, that crazy appreciation is probably what fans have to thank for the glorious, if expensive, re-release that was just announced – there is clearly still a market for this subject matter, even if collectors have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Like the original Death Star model, it will be interesting to see what happens to the aftermarket prices for this original version now that it has been eclipsed.
Group had been releasing larger models and even a few based on landmarks since the early 2000s, but this was something new. It was such an unbelievable departure in terms of piece count – nothing released before even came close aside from the original
UCS Falcon. 10143 Death Star from 2005, the second place slot holder before this release, was outdone to the tune of over 2,000 pieces. This was part of a new class of sets, with piece counts closing in on 6,000. It was unheard of until the Taj Mahal, and to this day remains a very exclusive club. 10189’s piece count of 5,922 kept it as the king of the mountain until the announcement of
. A reign of exactly a decade is no small feat – we salute you 10189, that was quite a run that you had.
Update: This set was re-released as LEGO Creator Expert 10256 Taj Mahal on November 27, 2017, with a piece count of 5,923. The additional piece that was added to the set is a brick separator.
Group can legitimately release a set of this size and at this price point is mind blowing, and a testimony to the unbelievable global power of both the
brands. I am not even sure what to call 75192. It is certainly not a playset or a toy. Collector’s item perhaps – this product is in a class all its own and will likely remain there for years. While its predecessor was a perfect masterpiece, designers have none the less found ways to improve on that previous success. While the price is a bitter pill to swallow, there is no doubt that the
sets is a truly fascinating list to examine, while also being a frustrating reminder of sets that have been retired and now command high secondary market prices. The new Falcon displaces 10214 Tower Bridge from the list, and it will be interesting to see how much longer 75827 Firehouse Headquarters holds on and what rises from the designers at the
When I was 3 years old my dad bought home 6659 TV Camera Crew as a gift — he had no idea what he had just unleashed. Three decades and no dark age later, I am still going strong. My love of LEGO led me to a career in Civil Engineering and I am now raising three budding LEGO lovers with my lovely wife who is, bless her, a huge supporter of my brick addiction. When not writing for Brick Fanatics or fulfilling my duties as the U.S. Editor of Blocks Magazine I enjoy collecting, MOCing, exhibiting, as well as running, climbing and home improvement.
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