From the first scenes in the 1977 movie Star Wars Episode IV, A New Hope, fans knew they were in for a treat. The majestic opening was just the beginning: from there we were introduced to a bevy of interesting characters, while the tension between good and evil kept us in rapt attention. Future Star Wars movies kept us coming back for more, giving us plot twists, characters we learned to love (Jar Jar Binks, anyone?), and a great storyline that evolved beyond the movies and into books, comic books, and TV shows.
If you are a fan, you probably collected an action figure from Star Wars either as a child, or for your children. But unless you are a die-hard fan, the Star Wars figure went the way of the Furby, or the Atari video game system (yes, I know both are back now, but bear with me). What would you give to have all those action figures back, and then some?
Look no further than today’s remarkable find, this Star Wars The Ultimate Action Figure Collection Lot 1,950 Loose Figs From Book:
If you want the opportunity to form an instant Star Wars collection, here it is. Don’t just take my word for it, read a bit of the description from the listing:
“This amazing auction includes a huge lot of 1,950 different loose action figures collected over decades–starting with the vintage line in 1978–and representing over 85% of the figures documented in the new book Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection.
Nearly every figure was removed from the packaging only to be lovingly displayed in locked cases. All figures are in very good to excellent condition with most original accessories. Detailed descriptions of vintage figures are below. This collection has been appraised at a minimum value of $8,200 by Pete Vilmur, collecting expert and co-author of four Star Wars books.”
The description is worth a read in its entirety, and includes a detailed list of all the characters you would win. In some cases, you would acquire multiple versions of the same character. Take, for example, Han Solo:
Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) [hair slightly worn]
Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) [slight wear on fingers & toes]
Han Solo (In Carbonite Chamber)
Han Solo (In Trench Coat)
Han Solo (large head version) [hair worn, shoulders discolored]
Who knew there was a large head version of Han Solo, other than Princess Leia, that is? It’s no wonder the hair is worn! The best thing about looking at the full listing, though, is the chance to review the huge number of high quality photos of all the action figures. Just skimming through the images of the toys is a welcome trip down memory lane.
At the end of the day, though, it was producer/director George Lucas that we have to thank for the Star Wars universe and all its inhabitants. It was his single-mindedness that got the original Star Wars created. And to think that he was paid a paltry $150,000 salary for the gig.
But don’t feel too bad for George Lucas. In a prescient moment, Lucas reportedly negotiated for the “ownership of licensing and merchandising rights (for novelizations, T-shirts, toys, etc.) and contractual arrangements for sequels.” Yes, all toys, including all action figures. We’d love to take a look at his collection.
And one final note. Even though Lucas is says he has encyclopedic knowledge of the Star Wars universe and characters he created, he won’t be actively participating in the creation of the new Star Wars Episode VII sequel, set to premiere in 2015. As he said in a recent interview: “I don’t really have much to do” as a consultant on the new movie. We hope he reconsiders.
Happy bidding, and “May the Force be with you.”
Yay for the non-involvement of Lucas in the forthcoming films! Though I do admit his Blinding Brilliance in the whole merchandise/marketing area of all things StarWars, I believe his Bumbling Boneheadedness(?) absolutely WREAKED the sequel films. To add insult to injury, he is continuing to “improve” the original three movies (the only good ones to date) by cutting things we liked, adding stupid things we hate, and then telling the fans that they were dumb to like the original versions. ARRGGHH!!!
Anyway, if you want to learn more, watch “The People vs George Lucas” (I found it on Netflix WatchItNow), or find “The 90 Min Phantom Menace Review” on YouTube.
Peace off.
To Nate and all the other haters, you are NOT a true fan of Star Wars. No, I don’t like all the things that have changed, but I love the story. George did not take anything from you, in fact, he gave you at least three movies that you love. If you don’t like the prequels, that is your right. If you want to see the washed out matte screened originals, buy a Laserdisc player, like any “real” fan would do. But don’t hate on something you supposedly “love”.
That Han Solo joke is really in poor taste.
Yo, Robb, I’m pretty sure it’s okay to hate on someone’s work AFTER they gave you something good if their later work is not good. Not to mention that he went in and edited said films that added absolutely nothing to the films and probably made them worse. Did you see his edited version of THX-1138? Completely destroys the meaning of his original work because of his addiction to editing. I agree that his lack of involvement in any forthcoming film will be the best thing for Star Wars in ages.