Today we launch a new series of features that I’ve wanted to do for some time. I’ve been collecting for nearly three decades, and have a wide taste when it comes to what I want to acquire. As I write this, Echo Base Live in Redditch is just around the corner and the thought of being surrounded by all those Star Wars goodies is causing me to lose a bit of sleep with all the excitement.
I love the stories behind any collectable. Doesn’t have to be Star Wars. Any collecting habit and I want to hear the story that led you to that piece. A friend of mine has all the cinema tickets from every film he’s ever seen, this of course being in the days of actual ticket stubs, and he’s able to say who he went with, what was happening in his life at the time and what the film means to him. Fantastic! So, over the coming weeks, we’ll talk with collectors about different pieces in their collection and what it all means.
FIRST TOY/COLLECTABLE
For me, this came around 1996. I’d seen the original trilogy on VHS tape thanks to a family member who was moving them on. I watched them all one Saturday afternoon at the tender age of five, and the rest of history. Later that summer, I was on holiday with my parents and Nan and Grandad. What follows next I have a crystal-clear memory of; We were in Woolworths in Weymouth. I saw the 12-inch line of action figures, the Collector’s Series line. I yelped and squealed with giddy delight that I needed to get the 12-inch Han Solo. My Mom said, most likely to my grandparents who – like most – were partial to spoiling their grandchildren, “Don’t get it him. It’s only a phase. He’ll have forgotten about Star Wars soon enough.” I had a few quid spending money with my Nan helping to put the extra. I played with that Han Solo all summer, all autumn and for all time. The rest, as they say, is history.
LATEST PICK-UP
This came last weekend in a trade with a local shop. It was The Force Awakens Chewbacca mask that went viral thanks to the Mom who went viral herself for getting the giggles in the mask back in 2015. I always wanted it, as it told such a nice story.
FAVOURITE PIECE RIGHT NOW
It’s a set of three totally unique pieces. My fiancé, for my birthday two years ago, spent weeks making The Muppets into Star Wars characters. Kermit is Luke. Miss Piggy is Leia. Gonzo is Darth Vader. My favourite thing about this is that Kermit’s shoes are baby socks from George (Asda).
FIRST THING YOU NEEDED A COMPLETE SET OF
The 2005 Revenge of the Sith Pringle tubes. I got one, Yoda I think, and remember thinking then; “I need them!. I need them all!”
CURRENT GRAIL PIECE
That would be an original Kenner Death Star playset, but my wallet has other plans about this.
WHAT TOOK A LONG TIME TO TRACK DOWN
For a while, I’d wanted something that was used in the films. Eventually, a few years back, I was able to get some Ewok fur that had been screen-used on Logray from Return of the Jedi.
FAVOURITE TOY AS A CHILD
This has to be the Power of the Force 2 Biker Scout with Speeder Bike. A quick press of the button and the thing would blow apart. My favourite element to this toy, however, was the head of the Biker Scout. With a flick of the finger, his head would snap back and make it look as if he’s just been shot by a laser. Endless hours of fun with one toy. This was also the final present my Grandad would get me before he sadly passed away in 1999.
BIGGEST REGRET RIGHT NOW
Not backing the HASLAB Sail Barge, but admittedly it was a little tricker here in the UK to do that back in 2018.
WHAT PARTICULAR ITEM HOLDS A SPECIAL CONNECTION
The figure itself can probably be found in a bargain bin at any toy show for a £2 but to me its everything. The figure is the 2002 Obi-Wan Kenobi from Attack of the Clones. The one with the magnet in his hand for the lightsaber. It was May 2002. As previously mentioned, my Grandad had passed away three years prior. I was told by my parents that Nanna wouldn’t be getting me a birthday present that May as she had fallen on hard times. No stress to me. Attack of the Clones was out on 16th May, and for my 11th birthday two days later my parents were taking me to see the film. What more could I want? Well, May 18 arrived and there was a gift with the tag reading ‘Happy Birthday. Love, Nan.’ It was a 3.75inch Obi-Wan Kenobi. Back in the day these figures cost £5.99. I know for a fact my Nan missed a meal or two to be able to buy this for me. As I write, my eyes grow damp just thinking of it. Nanna’s still with us but if you ask her who Obi-Wan Kenobi is, she’d probably think you’d just sneezed and say ‘bless you.’
WHAT’S NEXT?
The recent reveals of the forthcoming toys from The Mandalorian and Grogu look excellent. To have figures before a film comes out feels like the good old days, but the thing that really caught my eye – the new Grogu Furbee. Who can resist?
