One of my childhood rituals was looking through the J.C. Penny’s Christmas Wishbook as soon as it arrived in the mail. I turned each and every page, coveting the many and varied toys that were so attractively laid out in all their glossy glory. At no time do I remember this ritual more than during the years when Star Wars related toys were the must-have items.
I did not have alot of Star Wars toys as a child. It isn’t that my parents weren’t generous. Far from it. The truth was that we had so many toys and I am not sure that they understood at the time how much Star Wars had become, or would become, a building block of our lives. I remember having C-3PO, Chewbacca, and one other character…maybe a Storm Trooper. My brother had three as well. I think they came in 3 packs. This got me thinking about Star Wars merchandise and I thought today’s post would be a fun time to reveal the latest must-have Star Wars swag!
The first item is the recently released book, The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film. In this book author J.W. Rinzler debunks some of the rumors and sheds light on many of the fascinating facts behind this phenomenal film:
Using his unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its trove of never-before-published “lost†interviews, photos, production notes, factoids, and anecdotes, Star Wars scholar J. W. Rinzler hurtles readers back in time for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look at the nearly decade-long quest of George Lucas and his key collaborators to make the “little†movie that became a phenomenon.
List price: $75. Amazon price: $47.25.
The Art of Ralph McQuarrie is a must-have item that may be hard to get ahold of. Ralph did much of the conceptual art for the original Star Wars trilogy and is one of the most, if not the most, important person involved in the look of these films. This book is limited to 2500 copies and unfortunately the website indicates that they took the remaining copies to Celebration IV. If there are any left over they will then be offered on the site. Fat chance. This will probably be an ebay only item. Wish I hadn’t waited on this one.
And while we are on the subject of Ralph McQuarrie, another tempting items is this soon-to-be-released 30th anniversary fully painted model kit.
They have faithfully reproduced McQuarrie’s every detail, from Vader’s samurai-inspired mask, to Luke’s unseen-in-film breathing apparatus.
The two figures can be displayed together or separately. Together, the combined bases measure approximately 16.5 inches long, with Vader standing about 11 inches tall.
This is pricey, $200.00, but can be pre-ordered from some online shops for less. I believe I saw it for $162 on one site.
I love most all of the Star Wars mini-busts that have been released over the last few years, and this Boba Fett one is no exception. $50.00. Though it may be had cheaper if you look around a bit.
One of the more recently conceived statue ideas are those based on the animation style featured in the Clone Wars animated episodes. I really like the look of this one of Boba Fett.
And this Leia and R2 animated maquette was one I really debated about getting for a long time. Maybe someday. Both can be had in online shops or ebay for anywhere from $60 on up.
But hey, if you’re getting a statue of Leia, isn’t this the one you fanboys would really want? 😉 ($150-$180)
Speaking of sculpture, and getting back to books, Sculpting a Galaxy also looks like a fascinating book that I would love to have. The limited edition hardcover is $395.00. I think the regular $30 hardcover looks awful nice. 😉
This is something I would have killed for as a child. Who am I kidding? I would have a blast with it now!!! ($26)
This should be right up your alley, Quix. 😉 Seriously though, if you have not played the recently released Star Wars Legos Original Trilogy, you are missing out on great fun. The humor in it is uproariously funny for true SW nerds and it is both relatively easy to get the hang of and fun to play with a partner. Less than $20 on ebay. It is a steal!
The Dark Side of Gardening t-shirt. $15-$17 from Threadless.com
You could spend hours at their site looking at the many unique and fun t-shirts they have to offer. Great site.
What geek home would be complete without a set of Star Wars drink coasters? Not bad for $17.
Last but not least are these stylish dresses designed from original Star Wars sheets by designer Ashley Smalley. To see more of her creations you need to buy, or win, the current issue of Star Wars Insider magazine!
That should be enough to tempt the pocketbooks for today.
If you read yesterday’s post then you know I am having a Star Wars giveaway. Today’s participatory question is this:
What, if any, Star Wars toys did you have as a child? What are your memories of them, or of ones you wanted? Did you, like me, have that one kid in the neighborhood who had every Star Wars toy that you both envied and wanted to beat up? What about now? Do you have any Star Wars memorabilia/toys new or old now that you are an adult?
Feel free to answer one or all! Have a great day everyone!
I don’t remember having many Star Wars toys. One, being a girl, the ‘rents mostly bought me She-Ra and Barbies. I do think that I had a Han Solo. Even though I was young, I recognized hotness when I saw it! 😉
Now, married to a big fan of Star Wars, we have a few posters and a couple copies of the movies on VHS and DVD. Surprisingly enough, even though he has toys from other movies (The Crow, Spawn, and Nightmare Before Christmas to name a few) he doesn’t have any Star Wars stuff. I’ll have to ask him why.
As I recall, I only had a Darth Vader figure as a child. I didn’t have many movie related toys or other merchandise/tie-ins. I mostly had LEGO…
As an adult…well, we did have a couple of Star Wars LEGO sets *grin*, and I have little LEGO Darth Vader waiting to be unpacked to sit on my desk again when we move. As if you couldn’t guess, I
Lessee.. since I wasn’t a kid.. hurmph..
I do have some posters yet and a few related autographs which I will be posting maybe tomorrow. My kids did have star war sheets and star wars blankets… I have no idea what happened to those. (big sigh) I know they had some models too.. of the Millienum Falcon (sp?)
Honestly, I think the only Star Wars toy I had as a child was a Leia action figure, and that’s because my brother gave it to me by default!! He didn’t want a “girl” toy! Now, HE got all sorts of toys. He had the storm troopers, the Millenium Falcon, Han, Luke, Chewy, and Darth Vader toys. He also had some really cheesy light sabers that we beat the crap out of each other with!!
As I recall, I only had a Darth Vader figure as a child. I didn’t have many movie related toys or other merchandise/tie-ins. I mostly had LEGO…
As an adult…well, we did have a couple of Star Wars LEGO sets *grin*, and I have little LEGO Darth Vader waiting to be unpacked to sit on my desk again when we move. As if you couldn’t guess, I love Vader.
I used to play Star Wars Galaxies, and I have the collector’s edition box, with a pewter figure. I also have a pewter Darth Vader that came with a copy of Star Wars Monopoly for the PC.
I would love one of the Darth Vader statues from Sideshow. Maybe one day I’ll pick one up on ebay.
We had a few of the figurines. Storm-troppers, a Chewbacca, and R2D2. I seem to recall at least one being eaten by a cat, but I may be mistaken. 🙂
As for now? Not a one. Not even a cat chewed remnant.
I don’t want to put my parents in a bad light because they spoiled me in many ways as a child but not with Star Wars toys and I wanted them BAD. All they ever got me was two figures C3PO and R2D2. There was a kid in our neighborhood that had a ton of them and needless to say I spent a lot of time playing at his house.
Due to my lack of SW toys as a child my wfie and I now OVER compensate and get our kids tons of star items leaning mostly to the action figures ( they have atleast over 50 of them if not a lot more ). We also gotten the kids SW ships, legos, a video game, tons of comics, a drinking cup and even a very cool Darth Vader shaped carrying case for the action figures. We also have many versions of the films on DVD and VHS. Zachary also has plastic lightsaber and a SW Clone Tropper costume. He dressed up in it for halloween one year.
I can’t think of any Star Wars items I’ve boughten for myself as an adult though and now that I think of it I really need to spoil myself too. I think I have some of the books though on my stack but haven’t read them yet. I have channeled most all my SW buying to the kiddos I think although I would love some of the statues and busts and that making of book listed above.
Oh and Star Wars Lego II? Made of complete awesomeness. We had a blast with that over Christmas on the XB360.
Um, I’ll second the “I’m a girl so I never got Star Wars toys”. My brothers had Lando, Han Solo, an X- (or was it Y?) wing fighter, and the Millennium Falcon. We had tons of fun playing in the sandbox with them…
My sister was a big Yoda fan, and had a poster and a little figurine of him.
Oh…not fair. When I was a child there was no such thing as toys, if we wanted to play we played with rocks and we liked it that way. Kidding, sort of. At any rate my childhood predates Star Wars. (Pity, party of one?)
I had all the figurines as a little kid and the barbie-sized Han and Leia. I played with all my little boyfriends. I think my parents still have them.. I hope. I’d love to sell them on ebay one day.
Oh I forgot, somewhere I have a little Yoda figurine. And when Walkers crisps did Star Wars Tazos (like Pogs) in the 90s, I collected them…I still have them!
I think Suzanne is right–I don’t remember us having any Star Wars swag whatsoever.
I had alot of fun with rocks as a kid…probably not the right kind of fun (rock fights, anyone?) 🙂
I had that kid in my neighborhood as well. His parents were divorced and they loaded him down with every Star Wars toy imaginable. We were practically sick with jealousy. Of course looking back I’m thrilled my parents are still lovingly married and that I didn’t have as many SW toys. I would’ve like to have my cake and eat it too, though!
I bought several SW action figures as an adult, maybe compensating for my childhood…or maybe just cuz I’m a big geek! I used to have them displayed…I used to do some really fun displays as a matter of fact. I recall once using this small cardboard money I got from somewhere and setting up an elaborate display of SW action figures betting on a cage match between Slave Leia and regular Leia. Yes, it was as bad as it sounds. Ha!
Now they are put away and I mostly keep more expensive ‘toys’ on display. I’d like to have one or two of every item shown above, by the way, in case anyone wants to add fuel to my SW addiction… After all, you don’t need to pay your rent, do you?
I think all my childhood SW toys got pretty mangled. I think Chewie got chewed up, either by my sister or niece or someone. Whoa is me. 🙂
I missed the time frame for when it was “cool” to have Star Wars toys. For the originals I was not alive, and then for the rereleases and new movies, I was older and more into books than toys… actually, I never really was a toy person in the first place.
I really want the book on the story behind Star Wars. I saw it a while ago and decided that NO WAY was I paying the list price, but I will pay the other price. I figure it will be my birthday when I get a gift certificate… I am looking forward to said birthday. 🙂
Oh, and the sheet set that the girl is modeling? I have them! 🙂
I own more SW toys NOW than I did back THEN.
I didn’t have any Star Wars toys, per se… my parents didn’t buy me any because I was a girl… but when I was in my teens, I found a Darth Vader pillow case that I still use and positively love.
I’ve just started collecting action figures and the like, though, and have falled in love with Sideshow Collectible’s Luke & Yoda figure set… So if I ever save enough money….
Like Kailana, I missed it. I was alive for some of the films, but I was only four when Return of the Jedi came out, and I was TERRIFIED of Darth Vader. I had no idea who he was, even, but the mask was very scary. (Mind you, I was also really frightened of ET.) Our neighbours had a cat called Princess Leia, though.
I didn’t see any of the films until I was eighteen, though I’d have recognised the iconography.
Someone in my college orchestra once offered me money to do my hair like Leia for a concert in which we were playing the Star Wars Suite, but sadly I don’t have quite enough hair… and I have quite a lot…
I’m sorry to say that the only Star Wars toys I had as a kid were the free ones that came in the Happy Meals. Now that I’m an adult I mostly collect the books. I have the novelizations of all size movies, plus about 8 or 9 other additions to the Star Wars story. I just can’t seem to get away from books, no matter how hard I try… 🙂
Well, when I was a kid SW wasn’t out yet. Now I have the dvd’s. Gosh, not even a poster do I own!
My brother and I each got a light saber mine was red (cos I was a girl – I don’t think the adults understood the implications) but most of the Star Wars toys were his – I only borrowed them to play with the Strawberry Shortcake I had. My brother’s fascination with Star Wars continued into adulthood – he bought and sold many vintage items on ebay – including a huge Millenium Falcon – which I also remember playing with.
Well, being of the “original” SW generation (grin), the SW paraphernalia at our house belonged to my children. But ho boy there was a lot of it. Action figures….a HOUSEFUL of action figures. In every room. On every flat surface. Waiting to trip you up on the stairs. Everywhere.
Then there were the video games and the posters and Lego and the light sabers and the pez dispensers and the trading cards. My younger son loves to draw so he accumulated quite a collection of SW art books.
Hi Carl – apologies, this is unrelated to today’s post, but I’m not sure where to write to you otherwise. I’ve accidentally added myself to the “titles” list over on the challenge site while trying to add myself to “participants”. Can you delete it? Many apologies (blame my clunky computing knowledge!)
I had two favorite toys. They were both Millennium Falcon toys.
I had the large plastic one that you could lift the back panel off and put action figures in.
The second one was a die cast Millennium Falcon. It was maybe 5″ in diameter but it was so well made.
I had a ton of Star Wars toys. I had the Emperors Royal Shuttle, a Tie Fighter, a Snow Speeder and an X-Wing.
I had a ton of action figures as well.
I traded all of them away for a bike!
Ugh, now I feel sick.
James, you traitor! Or should I say ‘trader’! 😉
I’ll add you to the participants list. Don’t think I can delete you from the other but I’ll check, Equiano.
You have the sheets, Kailana, but have you made the dress yet?
Nice Yoda-speak, Pat!
Yes, Cdn, action figures can be hard on the feet!
One should never try to get away from books, Alyssa! Never!
Aichaku, that red saber comment cracked me up.
Those would have been some great pics, Kicking-K. I had really curly hair as a kid and in one of my school pics it is such a mess that I always called it my Princess Leia Cinammon Buns do.
Sideshow puts out some really nice stuff, Court.
I’m with you there Wayne!
sadly i never had any. my mom would’ve got them for me if she could, but somehow we never saw – even though i knew some kids who did have them. growing up in south africa some things were just very hard to get hold of…
the toys i desparately wanted were the luke and darth vader figures – the ones which the lightsabre that came out of their forearms! they were so cool. my friend quintin’s brother had them and it was like that frustrated kind of window shopping every time i saw them.
i’ve always wanted to get some since i’ve gotten older but have never gotten around to it, somehow… i did collect the mcdonald happy meal ones, though, which did fill the gap somewhat!
I remember the ‘lightsabre out of the forarm’ figures. I always thought that was a cool idea to simulate the saber being activated. Ah, fun memories.
carl, which toy did you covet most?
or if you didn’t, which toy do you fancy most now?
That one is easy, Jean-Pierre. I coveted the large Millenium Falcon…the one you could set the figures in. That neighborhood kid had one and it was something I always wanted.
I think the things I fancy the most now are the statues, the replica weapons (I love my knock off replica Han Solo blaster) and things like that.
And if anyone is up for talking more about Star Wars, click on SF Signals’ name above and go over there as there is alot of discussion going on for the anniversary!