Well, that took a while. Keeping up with changing prices in the marketplace has been most challenging. If your a collector looks like your collection is increasing in value quite well. Finally the Update is online !
The now update has about 20 more pages, more variants- more info – more pictures. including deep dive in to repro items, boxes, cardbacks, weapons.
For those who have purchased, thanks expect an email for a free updated version. Thanks to all and enjoy !
Here are the 3 earliest Kenner Star Wars card backs. The A B and C. on a US Kenner 12 back . All three shown here are Made in Hong Kong, there are several Lukes and Leia’s that were made in Taiwan, and are much harder to find.
The first Star Wars figures were released on what is called now A SW12 A , all the fronts were the same for all three, but there are differences between the three versions on the back .
The 12 A has a short stubby saber shown, Being the figures originally were to have a double telescoping saber. the first card a 12 A shown below
The 12 B card has an extended Saber , and the same text box below the saber. 12B below.
The 12 C has the same saber, but the paragraph of text has been shortened. 12 C below
Here is a close up detail between the 3 .
Reproduction SW card back below – this is a fake reproduced card
12ABC
I Thought I would lay out all the COO marks available on Stormtroopers. There are quite a few out there. Most Common are the 3 line Hong Kong as well as the 2 line Hong Kong, The Raised bar China is from ROTJ era it is legit. I still see people saying this is a fake, not true.
Several years age there were some recast bootlegs of the 2 line COO Stormtrooper being sold on Ebay, but these were super white, and had some distinct molding distinctions. I have seen none in the past few years out on the market.
Stormy’s have distinct molding sculpt differences , take a look at the heads and the back panels for starters.
some heads variation examples:
Stormy’s were molded i a variety of plastics form very transparent soft and rubbery white to a very dense white.
More info can be found in my guide :
Vintage Kenner Star Wars Action Figure Variations of North America
3rd Edition update now available :
check www.starwarsfigurevariations.com for more info
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.
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.
Not all comics are the same. If you are new to collecting Star Wars memorabilia whether it may be action figures, posters or comics, even though the item may look the same there may be some distinc
t differences. This is the case for vintage Marvel Comics- even thought the Cover may look the same, there are differences. here are some examples of Marvel #1 form my collection.
Top left: the rare 35c in the top left,
Middle: The first edition square- 30c, the more common first edition.
Top right : the third release is the first reprint with a 30c square.
The bottom issues were released by Whitman in comic packs, the diamond reprint – baggie packs. These are worth less than the original square versions,
Heres is a little trivia. !
The first time Star Wars was available for Purchases was 1982. This was for all three of the media sources of the Time VHS- BETAMAX and VIDEO DISC. It was not cheap a copy would set you back near $100 bucks.
For those not old enough to remember you could Rent a VHS or laser disc player and a movie and watch it at home, ahh those college parties. but I digress..
Here is the CED Viedo Disc of Star Wars from 1982. There are several Variations of the Disc. All contain the original Theatrical release from 1977 . Got to say great graphics and the classic Logo !
Reportedly Disney is going to bring back the original version -. I don’t mind the Special Edition version, it does help with continuity of the prequels, but hey.. don’t want to start a fight.
