LEGO 1997 Sets

1997 saw the release of 249 sets with 31 of them available for promotions and special releases.While many sets of the later 90s are not necessarily considered collection worthy, a number of sets in 1997 have proved to be solid investments.

Based on the 249 sets released for that year, the retail value was $4,458.67 with a current value of $26,745.70 for the combined new/factory sealed sets. As of present, the best performing theme for 1997 is currently Pirates which has seen an average annual growth of upwards of 9% to date.

In 1997, the LEGO Group faced significant challenges as it grappled with a changing toy market and internal organizational shifts. While the company introduced its first-ever licensed theme, "Star Wars," laying the groundwork for one of its most successful and enduring lines, it also experienced a dip in sales for the first time since its inception. The LEGO Group recognized the need to innovate and diversify its product offerings beyond traditional brick sets, leading to endeavors in new areas like software and video games, with the launch of LEGO Island, its first PC game. This year marked a period of introspection and transformation for the iconic toy company.