Geoffrey T. Carlton The long-awaited release of the classic Star Wars trilogy on DVD and the historical final episode of the Star Wars saga in theaters has inspired many serious collectors, and sparked a new Star Wars age.
As an established source, the Star Wars Super Collector’s Wish Book continues the legacy with its third edition.
The years 1976, the year leading up to the first theatrical release, to 2005 have provided 29 years of items to acquire, identify, and value. This new edition is rich with over 36,000 entries and 14,000 color photographs, encompassing over 700 categories and 1,300 manufacturers. The brand new checklist-style format is handy for collectors and sellers to make notations of inventory, condition, and desired pieces for which to watch. The proven directory-style listings still make finding individual pieces quick and convenient in the 448 page, full-color book.
Realistic current values make this book a must-have. No country or category has been excluded from the author’s search to discover and reveal every type of Star Wars collectible ever made. No collection or reference section is complete without this valuable edition.
It’s rare these days that a Star Wars book is released without significant fanfare, and yet in the aftermath of Revenge of the Sith a couple of releases seem to have slipped under the radar. As well as the excellent Anticipation – The Real Life Story of Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace by Jonathan L Bowen, here we have the Star Wars Third Edition Super Collector’s Wish Book by Geoffrey T Carlton, a true collectors compendium that is as good as any I have ever read.
And it’s bang up-to-date too, with entries including Revenge of the Sith merchandise. With over 13,700 photographs, everything you could ever want to find is in here. Case in point, pages 289 to 294 concentrate exclusively on the Micro Machine range, and in fantastic depth with photographs. Page 352 lists the ITV digital sock monkey (famous in the UK), but clad in Obi-Wan’s outfit, and on the market for $5.00. Packaging, clothing, pewter models, Pepsi cans, patches, reams of trading cards, comics listings.…everything you could think of. Just opening the page at random releases a wave of nostalgia and interest like no other film or hobby possibly can.
Carlton has done a grade one job of compiling this tome, and should be applauded for it, even going so far as to include commentaries by various authors on bootleg items, vintage bootlegs, unproduced figures, hard copies, using values to determine prices and Kenner Canada with their many exclusive figures and play sets.
Collectors Books produce a wide range of books based on hobbies, and encourage authors to contact them if they have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject. Thankfully, Geoffrey Carlton knew about this and made the call, otherwise we would have been denied this excellent collection which would take pride of place on any Star Wars fans shelf.
This review was originally posted on the 4th June 2006 on Lightsabre.co.uk
