|
|
May 22, 2008
Star Wars Collecting
Those who love the host of toys and pop culture treasures inspired by the Star Wars Saga will love the fascinating Star Wars collecting shows coming this July 19-21 at Celebration Japan.
Gus Lopez, who has coordinated Star Wars collecting panels for Celebrations in the U.S. and London, is once again inviting some of the most knowledgeable and entertaining Star Wars collectors to talk about their passion. Among the speakers are notable Japanese collectors, who will talk about the exceptionally rich world of Japanese Star Wars toys and collectibles. Here are the first four of twelve great panels to be announced.
Star Wars Collectibles Road Show
Japanese Collector Eimei Takeda leads our panel of expert collectors?
Have an item you can't identify, or the value of which you can't find in a price guide? Bring it to the Celebration Japan Collectibles Road Show and have the item appraised by our panel of experts. Learn about the item's history, collector demand, scarcity, and value. Collectors participating in the Road Show will get more information about their items, and also have the opportunity to share their treasures with fellow collectors.
What to bring? Any item you think is extraordinary and about which you can't find good information from other sources. If it's unlisted in price guides, or the guides provide little information or no pictures, our panelists can likely help you find out what you need to know. Try to stump the experts if you think you can!
What not to bring? If your item shows up in an online auction search on any given day, you can probably get the information you need online. A note on packaging errors: while items in the wrong package or with other minor errors are of interest to some collectors, generally these items garner a minor premium at best and are often worth less. For modern (post-1990) items, the few exceptions that have additional value are well-documented in price guides.
Plush Star Wars
Andy Loney?
It all started with an R2-D2 with a squeaking sound and a two-foot-tall Chewbacca with a bandolier strap. Plush Star Wars toys were produced when Star Wars began, and they are still as popular today as ever. From Ewoks to Jawas, vintage to modern, prototypes to un-produced, and Disney Park exclusives to claw machine toys in Japan, there are many varied and interesting areas to explore in the world of plush Star Wars toys. Grab your stuffed Wicket the Ewok and learn more about this soft and cuddly collecting arena.
Coca Cola Collectibles
Japanese Collector Tomihiko Amanuma
Forty years ago, Coca Cola ran a massive Star Wars campaign in Japan that promoted product nation-wide starting in summer 1978. The bottle cap crowns were as popular with fans in 1978 as they are with collectors today. Collectors continue to try to complete their sets in the signature floppy collector trays, but that's just the beginning. Come learn about the varied and obscure Star Wars Coca Cola collectibles that were part of Japan's first-ever Star Wars food promotion.
Humorous Star Wars Items
Duncan Jenkins
Star Wars fans might own the action figures and trade the trading cards. They might wear the T-shirts and play the video games. They even frequent whatever eating establishment has the latest Star Wars "kids" meal toys. So, for many, the concept of a humorous collectible is not readily obvious. But some of the best attention-grabbing collectibles are the ones that make collectors smile, laugh, or think "I can't believe they made that!" From Jabba the Hutt on a Peach Melba Yogurt Cup to six-foot Ewoks On Ice Skates, the Star Wars collectibles universe has had some very humorous licensed items. For a look at some of the funniest Star Wars inspired collectibles, check out Humorous Star Wars Items with Duncan Jenkins, and don't forget to wear your Boba Fett Underoos.
<><><><>
Collecting panels at Celebration Japan are scheduled to start each day at 2:00 pm, and will feature sessions for serious collectors, as well as entertainment and fun for those who love popular culture and Star Wars.
What's more, fans attending the shows will have the chance to take home rare, two-inch pewter medallions commemorating classic Star Wars toys released in Japan in 1978. These medallions, twelve different designs in all, were designed by Mattias Rendahl and Jeff Correll especially for the fans at Celebration Japan. They will be given away for free at random times during the Celebration Japan collecting panels.
|
|
