For today’s instalment of Toy Stories, focusing on the history behind some of our most loved toys and collectables from a galaxy far, far away, I chatted with a man who is like a (much older) brother to me. Paul Naylor is of a certain vintage that he saw the original Star Wars upon its UK general release in the early part of 1978. Paul and I have been friends for more than ten years now, and along with a small band of fellow collectors, connected in the queue at Toys ‘R’ Us for the release of merchandise on Force Friday in 2015. We have become dear friends, meeting when time permits. Let’s dive in….
FIRST TOY/COLLECTABLE
My first toy was the Palitoy Luke Skywalker. I was with my mum, dad and younger brother Martyn at an evening event in the town where I grew up. The market town of Newport in Shropshire was a great place to grow up in the 70s. We had a Woolworths, a cracking little toyshop called Jack Davies Toys, and the indoor market – which is where I spied my first Star Wars action figures out in the wild, hanging from their pegs with a star shaped 99p price tag on each of the available selection.
I seem to recall there was just a choice of two. I couldn’t have come anywhere near to contemplating what a momentous occasion this was as my folks handed the market trader two green pound notes for my Luke Skywalker and Martyn’s Ben ‘Obi Wan’ Kenobi toys. Even the 2p change looked like a discus back then. If only my dear parents had an inkling of what they had started. Over the coming months, these two heroes would be joined by the rest of the first 12. I can vividly remember seeing a cloth caped Jawa in WH Smith at Telford Town Centre and thinking to myself how weird it looked. Would it fit in with vinyl caped Jawa I already owned?
LATEST PICK-UP
I was – for quite some time – a big collector of The Black Series line of figures. I’m an in-box collector these days, so when they somewhat misguidedly went down the route of no window on the box, I fell out of love with the line. As I said to fellow collectors at the time: “What’s the point in collecting a figure you can’t see? There could be a potato and some sticks in the box for all I know!” So action figure collecting has kind of ended for me. I’d still like to complete the original run. I do need about seven from the last 17 – sort of. I’ll explain later. One thing I have been collecting lately are the little figures in the Kinder eggs. They are so cute.
FAVOURITE PIECE RIGHT NOW
That’s a real tricky one for me to answer, and at the risk of upsetting those who will completely disagree with me, I will try to justify my answer. Other than the compulsion to complete the original run from 1978-1985, I am parting with my collection. It was a decision I came to prompted by the windowless The Black Series debacle. It ended my connection with that line, and so I have traded at Echo Base Live in Redditch a number of times, and also at Star Wars Fan Fun Day in Blackburn. It’s really weird, the same thrill I had for collecting has been replaced by the joy of helping other collectors fill gaps in their own 
collections, and with a rapidly dwindling Black Series stock, my attention has turned to other corners of my collection. The Retro Collection line and The Vintage Collection frequently travel with me on sales days now. I have been an avid collector of the excellent Stan Solo line of custom figures. My view is that if this is a more convenient (and cheaper) way to complete my collection, aesthetically that’s fine. I have no intention of selling them on as originals. As and when I do sell them, well, then they will clearly be described to potential purchasers as Stan Solo products. And eventually those will be sold too. I am only really interested in keeping the figures I had as a child – with some replacements for those I sold as a teenager. So I suppose really my main focus are the first 77. My favourite piece is a bit random.
It’s a small jar of sand from the Tunisian filming location collected by a former colleague of mine and dates back 15, maybe 20 years. I hadn’t asked for them to bring it back for me, so that in itself adds to its ‘specialness’, but later this year I am hoping to visit Lars Homestead for myself with a group of fans. To be there in what is the 50th year of the original Star Wars being filmed and just prior to its 50th anniversary for the original release has given this piece a renewed place in my heart. (and if you ever get to see this, thank you Marcia).
FIRST THING YOU NEEDED A COMPLETE SET OF
Much the same as our mutual buddy James Woodcock, my collecting days began with the original run of 12 Palitoy/Kenner action figures. I think I can remember the order they were acquired too. Luke and Ben; Chewie and R2, Han and Leia, Stormtrooper x 2, Vader and C-3PO, Jawa and Sandpeople. Finally, Death Squad Commander. Then more stormtroopers and a cloth cape Jawa. The vinyl cape Jawa would be sold to my cousin along with various other figures (since replaced) and my Palitoy Death Star playset. I sold David my Jawa for 50p and the Death Star earnt me the princely sum of £5. Grrrr.
CURRENT GRAIL PIECE
My current grail piece isn’t an item, it’s a long-term commitment to a trilogy of adventures. So, as I said, I am booked to be in Tunisia this November, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the making of the original Star Wars. The plan is to do a similar trip to Finsse in 2029 for the 50th anniversary of filming the Hoth scenes in The Empire Strikes Back, closing the trilogy out with a visit to the Red Woods and Yuma in 2032 for the 50th anniversary of filming Return of the Jedi. My attention has switched from collecting physical items to collecting memories. I guess it is something that becomes more precious as we age.
FAVOURITE TOY AS A CHILD
That Death Star Playset. That was the best £8.00 (yes, EIGHT POUNDS) my folks spent on my 8th birthday. Where I grew up in Shropshire, we were among the first in the UK to have a hypermarket. It was owned by the French company Carrefour and every visit there as a child was like going to a theme park. It was the only place I recall that you could get green jam tarts. I can still visualise the store and the smell of that wonderful bakery. Back then it was futuristic. These days, more ubiquitous.
I recall seeing the Death Star playset on the rack, six or seven boxes stacked flat, with one facing into the aisle, stood proudly showing the photo of a typically 1970s child playing with his figures on that amazing playset. I’m pretty sure my dad thought £8.00 for a box of predominantly cardboard panels was a ridiculous notion, but nevertheless my folks bought it for me, and I loved it to bits. I even created a chess-like game with my figures on the grid panels on the graphic flooring. I do miss my Death Star (as said by Emperor Palpatine too).
BIGGEST REGRET RIGHT NOW
I’m at peace with selling the items I am selling. I suppose until you feel this way, you can’t really explain it. It’s an almost Jedi-like, zen sorta thing. I genuinely am pleased to help others achieve their goals. I’ve had some health issues of late, which I am addressing, and I guess it’s just a fresh outlook on life that has taken place, where doing stuff is more important than having stuff.
WHAT PARTICULAR ITEM HOLDS A SPECIAL CONNECTION
I have a very nice Tiki cup that I purchased from Oga’s Cantina at Galaxy’s Edge during Celebration Anaheim back in 2022. It makes for a lovely ornament, so I guess that fits into any scenario. It is a reminder of a great time with fellow Star Wars chums. That’s really what it’s all about for me.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I’ll be at Star Wars Fan Fun Day on May 4th in Blackburn. I’ve got a table, and I’ll have Black Series for sale, Retro Collection figures – which seem to have gained in popularity – and The Vintage Collection. For the first time, my loose Stan Solo figures will be on sale, so a real opportunity to fill gaps in folks collections with custom figures. If you are at SWFFD, pop over and see me for a chat.