DSC09417 copy

Galaxy Empire Star Wars POTF knockoff Bootlegs

If you were lucky enough to hit  discount dollar stores  in the 90’s , you know the one’s, with lots of cheap China plastic lining the isles- You may have found these.. One of the few Bootlegs Lucasfilm did not catch and got into the US market.

DSC09419

Galaxy Empire toys were knock offs of the POTF sculpt of  figures but about  6″ tall. The packages are dated 1997. The cardbacks are very flimsy

The entire release included 7 total figures, with some paint ops in the series.

heres the list.  of what to look for.

Luke, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Chewbacca as Snoova, Darth Vader, and a Stormtrooper.

DSC09417

Screen Shot 2016-05-29 at 1.13.17 PM

Kenner Star Wars Death Squad Commander – Star Destroyer Commander variations

Screen Shot 2016-05-29 at 1.13.17 PMThe Vintage Kenner 1977 Star Destroyer Commander/ Death Squad Commander. has many variations- here are a few Things to look for are  eyes colors, his insignia, color and type of grey plastic, head color,  mold of helmet, gloss or matte finish to boots and gloves,  as well the coo markings.

Screen Shot 2016-05-29 at 12.07.41 PM

DSC07737

Vintage Kenner Droid Factory playset- base color variations

The Droid Factory Playset came out in 1978 in a Star Wars box. It was also released later in a ESB box. The ESB box version is much harder to find.

DSC07718

For the most part all things are similar, although there  a distinct variation in the base color can be found.

DSC07737

 

From researh it appears the Dark Brown base came to late in the ESB box, making the brown base much harder to find. The lighter color base has been found in both SW and ESB boxes.

DSC08029DSC00016

Of course the coolest part of the Droid factory set is the 3 lever R2-D2. with its funky 3rd plug in leg.

 

DSC05482

POTF 1985 Anakin Skywalker on reproduction card.

The world of reproduction cardbacks includes about every cad back and the bubbles are getting better and better.

DSC05482

The type is distinctly different than original card, The back is much paler.  tape is holding the bubble on to card.

Here is a reproduction Anakin Power of the Force 1985 Anakin,

– notice cheap plastic coin.

-color off on the backside off, and fuzzy.

-type incorrect

DSC05482  DSC05485 DSC05483 DSC05484

Hong Kong Top
Taiwan Bottom

Luke Skywalker Saber variations.

DSC06877 copy 2

1995 POTF Classic Luke
1995 POTF Classic Luke

I have been going thru Luke Sabers , updating,  organizing and getting sorted to figures.

        Here some of the versions out there.

Lettered sabers,  Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and a reproduction bottom.

A collection of Luke Sabers- Bottom Reproduction
A collection of Luke Sabers- Bottom Reproduction
Hong Kong Top Taiwan Bottom
Hong Kong Top
Taiwan Bottom
Luke Double Telescoping
Luke Double Telescoping
DSC06656 copy

Vintage Star Wars 12 back Princess Leia Vs reproduction repro fake cardback

DSC06656 copy

I have to say it is really frustrating to see people being taken when I go hunting on eBay  for vintage Star Wars toys.  A flurry of  vintage carded  figure 12  backs have “suddenly materliazed” in the market place over the past year.- I  am not sure what is worse seeing people being duped by the waning, everything is a POCH scams  by melting a figures backside and calling it POCH or this.  Many items are are not what they appear to be.

Here are some comparison pictures of an original Kenner Princess :ii a12b compared to a reproduction cardback.  The original in all pictures is right or on top

Some key points to identify a reproduction or fake card back and bubble< this is list goes beyond just this figure but applies to  many repros of 12k cards currently out there.

  • PRICE in white box  text wrong.
  • The Text for the stock Number of white price box wrong.
  • The Ages 4 and up text wrong.
  • Blue color wrong.
  • Footer incorrect size
  • bubble incorrect size.  although other repro bubbles closer to original shape have surfaced.
  • back of card back incorrect  texture. brought matte  and text slightly fuzzy.
  • POP color wrong.
  • The repro card may look good on display, but do not get taken, there are unaware or more likely  intentionally unscrupulous sellers attempting to pass these off as original . They intentionally place a old  price sticker over the PRICE text, slightly bend up the card, in an attempt to emulate a  more vintage look.

DSC06656 DSC06662 DSC06665 DSC06670 DSC06673

Original card back aways right or TOP.

Follow me  for future and more look thru  back posts to other reproduction VS original cardback comparisons.

These are being  added to my Vintage Star wars figure guide in upcoming editions.

 

DSC06143

Vintage Kenner Luke Stormtrooper orignal vs repro helmet comparison

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Luke Stormtrooper 

The Vintage  POTF and Tri-logo 1984 Luke Stormtrooper is a tough figure to pick up  clean and complete with the original helmet.  The gun is also a tough piece to find and is often not identified correctly.

DSC05897Reproduction helmets are available for this figure and often are not identified correctly here are examples of an original compared to reproduction helmet.

 

The original is always right on the tour panels below.  On first inspection and form from front a neat perfect match.  The reproduction  forth backside has a distinct circle  with a triangle above it. DSC06145DSC06143

From the top  the original has a faint mold EP mark dead center. the repro does not.

DSC06146DSC06147

Heres the repro on a figure compared to s custom made helmet form a vintage stormy head. It was cut off  and drilled out,- Its a great looking fit to a custom Luke Stormy. !

DSC05005DSC05003

Lastly  the original gun, note roundish front and a smooth barrel –  no dents. DSC05897