In 2009, LEGO enthusiasts and collectors were treated to a delightful journey through time with the release of the LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collections to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the LEGO minifigure. This special series, re-released in 2012, comprised five volumes, each containing five meticulously crafted replica minifigures that pay homage to the rich history and evolution of LEGO's beloved characters. Spanning decades, from the classic spacemen of the late '70s to the imaginative roles of the early 2000s, these sets offered a nostalgic glimpse into the past while celebrating the creativity and innovation that LEGO minifigures have brought to children and adults alike. Each collection contained 5 vintage retro replicas each labeled with the year they were released.

Volume 1: A Trip to the Beginning

The first volume, 852331 LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 1, re-released as 5000437-1 in 2012, was a commemoration of 30 years of LEGO minifigures. It included iconic figures such as the 1978 astronaut, known for its simplicity and charm, and the mad scientist of 2002, a testament to LEGO's expanding universe. Accompanying these were the classic fireman, an Octan worker, and a vintage prisoner, each telling their own story of LEGO's past. Interestingly, the 2012 re-release of the set swapped the 2002 Mad Scientist with the 2002 LEGO Studios Extra minifigure from the 2009 Volume 5 set.

Celebrate 30 years of LEGO minifigures! Everybody loves a classic! Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the LEGO minifigure with this unique collection of 5 famous figures from through the years. From the vintage 1978 astronaut to the mad scientist of 2002 and beyond, these friendly, smiling characters have always made building fun!

1978 Classic Red Spaceman - sp005new - A widely recognized Classic Space Minifigure from 1978, known for its red attire with the Classic Space logo and included in 43 sets, making it one of the most common spacemen of its time.

1981 Classic Fireman - firec001 - Features a classic white fire helmet and was released as part of LEGO's Town theme under the Classic Town / Fire subcategory. This minifigure appeared in 17 different sets over the years, from 1981 to 1992, making it a staple in the LEGO Town Fire series of that era.

1992 Octan Worker - oct012 - Features a white Octan logo on the torso, green legs, and a red cap. This minifigure was released in various sets between 1992 and 2004, making it a common figure in the Town, Classic Town / Gas Station, and other related themes. It has appeared in a total of 14 sets over the years, including City People, Gas N' Wash Express, and several others that involve the Octan brand, which is LEGO's fictional gas station and energy company.

1996 Jailbreak Joe Prisoner - jail004 - Features light bluish gray legs and was first introduced in 2008 as part of the LEGO Exclusive Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 1. Jailbreak Joe's design includes the classic prisoner outfit with stripes, contributing to its unique character in the LEGO City Police theme.

2002 Mad Scientist - hrf004new - Known for its double-sided head and unique printed legs, first appeared in the 2002 Studios theme set "Scary Laboratory". Notably, the contrasting faces suggest a nod to the dual nature of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, hinting at the scientist's multiple personalities.

Volume 2: Diverse Adventures

LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 2 (852535) and later as 5000438-1, broadened the horizon with figures from various LEGO themes. This set included two astronauts from 1978 and 1984, showcasing the evolution of LEGO space themes, a 1999 red ninja, a 1996 pirate, and a 1982 postman. This diverse collection highlighted the expanding universe of LEGO, where every child could find a character to spark their imagination.

LEGO® minifigures through the years! With 5 friendly LEGO minifigures from all through the years, this fun collection features figures from 1978, 1982, 1984, 1996 and 1999. Includes 2 different astronauts, a ninja, a pirate and a postman!

1978 Classic White Spaceman - sp006new - From the Classic Space theme, featuring a white suit with the iconic space logo and a standard astronaut helmet with air tanks. Production of the original minifigure ended in 1988.

1982 Post Office Worker - post001new - The original 1982 Post Office Worker LEGO minifigure appeared in notable sets such as the 6362 Post Office and the 6651 Mail Truck, among others, showcasing its role within the LEGO Town and Trains themes​.

1984 Classic Black Spaceman - sp003new - Part of the LEGO Classic Space theme and known for its distinctive black suit with the iconic space logo. This minifigure was released between 1984 and 1986 and appeared in 8 different sets, making it a notable figure for LEGO space enthusiasts.

1996 Pirate - pi013new - Part of the LEGO Pirates theme, known for its detailed and colorful pirate characters​. This minifigure is characterized by its anchor light purple vest, blue legs, and red bandana which was typical of generic pirate minifigures of the time.

1999 Red Ninja - cas050new - Part of several sets within the Ninja theme. This figure was notable for its distinctive red attire, embodying the classic ninja look that LEGO introduced in this series. Some of the sets that featured this minifigure include the "3052 Ninja Fire Fortress," "3053 Emperor's Stronghold," "3074 Red Ninja's Dragon Glider," and others.

Volume 3: Celebrating 50 Years of LEGO

The third installment, 852697 LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 3, re-released as 5000439-1, was particularly special as it commemorated the 50th anniversary of LEGO. This volume included a yellow Space astronaut from 1979, a Castle knight from 1984, a Pirates Imperial soldier from 1989, a Town chef from 1992, and a Western cavalry colonel from 1996. This collection celebrated the enduring legacy and the diverse worlds LEGO had created over the years. The 2012 version swapped out a number of minifigures from the 2009 one, this included swapping the Classic Yellow Spaceman with the female doctor from the 2009 Volume 5 set, the Black Falcon with the Forestwoman from the 2009 Volume 5 set and the Cavalry General with the White Ninja Princess from the 2009 Volume 5 set.

A collection of classic LEGO® minifigures! Five minifigures of yesteryear are back in this special collector gift-boxed set! Collection includes classic yellow LEGO® Space astronaut, LEGO® Castle knight, LEGO® Pirates Imperial soldier, LEGO® Town chef, and LEGO® Western cavalry colonel figures.

1979 Classic Yellow Spaceman - sp007new - A prominent figure in the LEGO Classic Space theme, introduced in 1982 and remained in production until 1987. This minifigure is characterized by its bright yellow suit, complete with the iconic LEGO space logo on the torso, a simple smiley face, and equipped with a yellow helmet and air tanks. The yellow spaceman appeared in numerous sets.

1984 Black Falcon - cas101 - Represents a knight from the Castle theme, specifically from the Black Falcons faction. These minifigures are characterized by their distinctive black and blue attire, often with a falcon emblem on their shields or torsos. The Black Falcons were introduced as part of LEGO's broader Castle theme, which featured various medieval factions and settings. They have been featured in various sets, offering a glimpse into the medieval-themed adventures that LEGO aimed to capture with this theme​.

1989 Imperial Soldier - pi061a -  Introduced as part of the Pirates theme, specifically within the Imperial Soldiers subtheme. This minifigure was released between 1989 and 1991 and is included in 7 different LEGO sets, such as the "6273 Rock Island Refuge" and "6267 Lagoon Lock-Up," among others. The Imperial Soldier represents the classic colonial-era soldiers, typically depicted in blue uniforms with distinctive hats, and played a significant role in the Pirates theme, opposing the pirate characters in various sets.

1992 Chef - chef007 - Represents  the generic chef minifigure of the era, which was included in 4 different LEGO sets over the years, such as the 10036 Pizza-To-Go, 2150 Train Station, and 9293 Community Workers, showcasing its theme versatility within the Town theme.

1996 Cavalry Colonel - ww001 - First introduced in 1996 as part of the Western theme, appearing in notable sets such as 6769 Fort Legoredo. This minifigure is characterized by its military attire, symbolic of the cavalry units from the American frontier period. It's been featured in multiple sets over the years, including the 6706 Frontier Patrol and the 6762 Fort Legoredo.

Volume 4: A Nostalgic Mix

Volume 4, 852753 LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 4, re-released as 5000440-1, offered a mix of characters that took fans down memory lane. It featured a 1978 Castle Knight, a 1984 Blue Space minifigure, a 1987 Blacktron figure, a 1990 Forestman, and a 1998 Santa Claus. This eclectic mix showcased the variety and the fun that LEGO minifigures have represented over the decades.

Take a trip down memory lane with this vintage minifigure collector's gift box set. Includes 5 classic minifigures from the past: a 1978 LEGO Castle Knight minifigure, 1984 Blue Space minifigure, 1987 Blacktron minifigure, 1990 Forestman minifigure and 1998 Santa Claus minifigure. A must-have for any LEGO fan's collection!

1978 LEGO Castle Knight - cas229new - Knights from this era are particularly notable for their simplicity and classic design, which has a nostalgic appeal for many LEGO enthusiasts.  The 1978 LEGO Castle theme introduced a variety of knights and other minifigures, marking a significant moment in LEGO's history with the launch of the iconic "Yellow Castle" set (375-2).  Among these figures were knights in different colors, such as black, blue, and red, each with their own unique accessories and heraldry, reflecting the diverse factions within the LEGO Castle theme.

1984 Classic Blue Spaceman - sp004new - Marked by its blue space suit and iconic logo, is a cherished figure from the Classic Space theme, known for its simple smiley face and accompanying jetpack accessory. This minifigure has been a part of the LEGO lineup from 1984 to 1988 and has a special place in the hearts of LEGO enthusiasts, partly due to its association with the character Benny from The LEGO Movie, who is a homage to the Classic Blue Spaceman but with a more worn-out appearance.

1987 Blacktron - sp001 - A distinctive figure from the Classic Space theme, known for its black suit with yellow and white detailing, symbolizing one of LEGO's first forays into a more thematic space storytelling. This minifigure was part of various sets between 1987 and 1991, becoming a staple of the Blacktron theme.

1990 Forestman - cas128new - Part of the LEGO Castle theme, specifically within the Forestmen subtheme, was first introduced in the set 6071 Forestmen's Crossing. The Forestmen theme, active from 1987 through 1990, included various sets that portrayed a group of Robin Hood-like characters.

1998 Santa Claus - hol007 - The Santa Claus LEGO minifigure has seen various iterations over the years. One notable version from this period is described as having a face with black eyes and a closed smiling mouth, a red torso, red arms, yellow hands, and red legs with white hips. This version was included in the set "1177 Santa's Truck." Santa Claus LEGO minifigures have evolved significantly since their introduction, with each new version bringing something unique to the iconic character.

Volume 5: A Final Tribute

The final volume, 852769 LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collection Vol 5, did not see a re-release but stood out with its unique selection of minifigures, including a 1980 Doctor, a 1990 Forest Woman, a 1994 Flight Attendant, a 1999 Ninja Princess, and a 2002 LEGO Studios Extra. This set celebrated the broad themes and the rich storytelling that LEGO minifigures have contributed to, making it a fitting end to the Vintage Minifigure Collection series. Unlike the previous 4 volumes, the 2012 re-release did not include a volume 5, however, three of the female minifigures where replaced on the various 2012 sets.

This collection of "oldie but goodie" minifigures includes Doctor 1980, Forest Woman 1990, Flight Attendant 1994, Ninja Princess 1999 and LEGO Studios Extra 2002. Ready for giving in red gift box Includes 5 vintage LEGO minifigures.

1980 Doctor - doc001 - Features a stethoscope, red legs, and black pigtails hair. This figure is notable for its inclusion in classic LEGO sets and represents an early depiction of a LEGO professional in the Town theme.

1990 Forest Woman - cas122new - A significant figure from the LEGO Castle theme, specifically within the Forestmen subtheme. This figure represents a rare depiction of a female character in the medieval-themed sets, contributing to the diversity and storytelling of the LEGO universe. The original version of the minifigure appeared in the set Forestmen's Crossing (6071-1).

1994 Flight Attendant - air010 - Features distinct attributes that align with the aesthetics of flight attendant uniforms from that era within the LEGO City theme.

1999 Ninja Princess - cas058 - A character from the LEGO Ninjas theme, representing a blend of historical and fantasy elements typical of LEGO's approach to thematic storytelling. The Ninja Princess LEGO minifigure first appeared in the set "6083 Samurai Stronghold" from the LEGO Ninja theme in 1998. This set is notable for introducing a female character into the predominantly male ninja lineup, adding a significant dimension to the theme's storytelling and playability.

2002 LEGO Studios Extra - stu010b - The LEGO Studios theme included a variety of minifigures to populate its movie-themed sets, offering characters like directors, cameramen, and actors, among others.

Each volume of the LEGO Vintage Minifigure Collections serves as a testament to the creativity, diversity, and enduring appeal of LEGO minifigures. For collectors and enthusiasts, these sets offer a tangible piece of LEGO history, encapsulating the joy and imagination that LEGO has brought to generations.