The Chronicles of a Star Wars Collector

Enjoy two post today. One is about items fresh off the Wal-Mart shelf and the other goes back to 1984.

Let us get back to the vintage era.

Even though this item is not the most rare or value item in my collection, it is unique. I did not even know that people collected sets offered in catalogs until I read John Kellerman's Star Wars Vintage Action Figures. In the book, Kellerman list out all the different catalogs that offered Star Wars figures and in what combinations they came.

I have the Penny's catalog #655-6161 four pack of the original versions of Leia, Luke, Han, and Vader. This set was offered in the 1984 Christmas catalog for JC Penny's. All the figures in these sets came in baggies. The box that I have is in decent shape, not great. All four figures are in great shape still sealed in their original baggies. I came across this on eBay and the seller was open for offers. I had the best offer. These catalog sets in my opinion, are unique and rare items that collectors can come by for an affordable price. I do not see the demand for these being high. Please tell me if I am wrong. I know that I could break this set up and sell each figure individually for more than I paid for the set. That would be dumb, of course. These catalog sets must stay together. You cannot find very many of them.

George Lucas has given in to the pressure of Star Wars fans. Ever since the creation of the DVD, fans have screamed for the original trilogy in original version on DVD. Today we have it. Lucasfilm refused the idea for a long time. I think they pulled out the calculator and realized the numbers were to good to pass up. You can go to your local electronics isle and pick up the Star Wars original trilogy on DVD as they were seen in the theatres. Yes, my friends. You can see the version that Han shot first, the Sarlacc pit does not look like an over grown egg plant, and Hayden Christensen does not appear in the glowing blue.

We are in the age of exclusives. If you go to Best Buy you can get a special tin to hold your movies. I am sure Target has some exclusive. Wal-Mart has a copy of the comic version packaged with each individual movie. I like comics. That means I made a trip to Wal-Mart this morning. Their are early reports at Rebel Scum that the version with the comic is varying in price. I got mine for $16.99 each. That is a great price for two versions of the movie (yes, the original version and special edition are both included) and a trade paperback comic of the movie. Normally a trade paperback comic would run at least $10.
Wal-Mart had three figure sets to go along with the DVD's. For Star Wars figures these are a deal. $9.96 for each figure pack. The A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back figure packs come with three figures and the Return of the Jedi pack come with four. Per figure this is a great deal. The current Wal-Mart price for an individual packaged figure is $6.63. All of these figures are repacks. That is ok with me if they are going to be this cheap. These figure packs are limited in quantity and only can be found at Wal-Mart. If you want them, get them now.

My wife loves Target. Target is just another store to me. It is a store where Star Wars toys are more expensive. Wal-Mart is not a whole lot cheaper that Target these days. They used to be over a dollar difference for a basic 3 3/4 inch figure. Current prices: Wal-mart $6.63 and Target $6.99. Last year during the Revenge of the Sith line you paid $5.88 at Wally World. Moving on. My wife was at Target the other day and she went my "The Section" for me. She picked up the Target Exclusive Unleashed re-packs of Boba Fett and General Grevious. The Boba Fett is one of the few re-packs that I was excited about. The original Fett Unleashed has brought some premium prices on eBay. I am able to acquire a Fett Unleashed to open for my loose display for retail price. Yes!! Patience and persistence in collecting.