LEGO 1999 / Basic Sets

In 1999 LEGO released 23 Basic sets across 2 subthemes. The largest Basic set from 1999 was 4229 Basic Building Set with a piece count of 812 and a retail price of $39.99. The current estimated value of all these Basic sets from this year is about $992.59 which represents a 311.3% growth.

The LEGO Basic theme, which began in the 1970s, was designed to be a more general, non-thematic series of sets. Unlike the themed sets that revolve around specific stories, characters, or concepts (e.g., space, city, or pirates), the Basic theme provided a collection of standard LEGO bricks and pieces, often in a variety of colors. The goal was to encourage free building and creativity without the confines of a specific theme or narrative.

1999 LEGO Sets

1999 was a hallmark year for The LEGO Group, it was the year LEGO produced its first Star Wars theme with Lucasfilm, beginning a trend of licensed LEGO products. This event came alongside the year that Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was released reviving the Star Wars franchise. Along with the successful Star Wars theme being introduced, LEGO released Rock Raiders, Slizer/Throwbot and Winnie the Pooh. In addition, Ice Planet 2002 and the Spyrius theme was re-released. A number of themes were discontinued in 1999 which included Cyberslam, TechPlay, UFO, Insectoids, Znap and Model Team.