The Complete Encyclopedia to GI Joe (Complete Encyclopedia to G. I. Joe) [Paperback]

Vincent Santelmo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2001

An invaluable resource for veteran or novice GI Joe collectors! This updated and expanded edition chronicles the creation of GI Joe action figures, features a complete listing of all figures and accessories released through five decades, contains interviews with Hasbro’s design team members, and includes an updated price guide. New collector-friendly format makes it easy for collectors of each GI Joe version to learn the history of their favorite figures and determine exactly when figures and accessories were released. The updated price guide is a complete chronological listing of all figure, vehicle, uniform, and equipment sets released from 1964-2000 and includes item numbers for easy identification.

- Lists every GI Joe figure and accessory from 1964 through 2000
- Complete history of GI Joe’s creation with interviews of Hasbro design team members
- NEW format separates all GI Joe figures and accessories by decade
- Updated price guide

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 3rd edition (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873418743
• ISBN-13: 978-0873418744
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #988,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Vincent "San Repro", November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Encyclopedia to GI Joe (Complete Encyclopedia to G. I. Joe) (Paperback)

Vincent "San Repro" is at it again. This book is filled with reproduction "prototypes" which the author fails to mention are complete fakes that he created. There is a tiny disclaimer toward the back of the book which claims there are reproductions. However, in the body of the book, the author misleads collectors by showing several pictures of reproduction items that are passed off as the original. This book is a complete sham and a disgrace. Any longtime vintage collector will see right through it.

If you are looking for a truly great book on the history of GI Joe, I suggest you read John Michlig's books. They have all authentic prototypes from the actual creators of GI Joe.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Be Very, Very Careful!, August 28, 2002

By 

"fishbulbs" (New Lebanon, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Encyclopedia to GI Joe (Complete Encyclopedia to G. I. Joe) (Paperback)

While Santelmo's book is valuable for all the interviews with early GI Joe creators, collectors who have not had experience handling rare items can be easily misled by the many photos of so-called "prototypes" which were "re-created" for the book. Because the "re-creations" are not clearly marked there is significant concern that when these surface in collecting circles they will be thought authentic because of their association with the book. The price guide is also virtually useless as it undervalues some very rare pieces and wildly overvalues some more common ones. Buyer Beware!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Why Another Edition?, November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Encyclopedia to GI Joe (Complete Encyclopedia to G. I. Joe) (Paperback)

It seems very strange that Santelmo adds to an otherwise useful collector's guide a whole bunch of material taken from John Michlig's book, GI JOE: THE COMPLETE STORY OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE MAN OF ACTION. Why not do inexpensive updates to the collector information without all the poorly written "history" at the beginning? 592 pages? Under half of those pages are useful.

The collector book by Derryl DePriest is much better, leaner book for collector's, and the Michlig book is a better book for the history of the product.