Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles: Memorabilia and Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away [Paperback]

Stephen J. Sansweet (Author), Anne Neumann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles takes the reader on a journey through cool and kitsch, from toys and costumes to life-size statues made of LEGO bricks to consumer goods such as candy, clothing, toothpaste--and much more. Drawn from the largest private Star Wars collection in the known universe, this stunning treasure trove of memorabilia and colorful anecdotes mixes fun with nostalgia, delighting both the casual fan and the serious collector. Since the first Star Wars film opened in 1977, George Lucas's epic space fantasy has become not only one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time, but also an obsession for collectors around the globe, who have spent more than $15 billion on Star Wars merchandise.

 

These collectibles range from the offbeat--C-3PO tape dispensers, fan-made bantha pinatas, and Darth Vader popcorn poppers--to the everyday--Boba Fett cake pans, Yoda PEZ dispensers, and "Cream of Jawa" soup. Here for the first time is a chronicle of the constantly expanding, all-encompassing, often-surreal lifestyle of collecting Star Wars--filled with incredible stranger-than-fiction stories from the galaxy's foremost collector.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen J. Sansweet is the author or coauthor of 14 books (12 of them on the Star Wars saga) and the director of content management and head of fan relations at Lucasfilm. He was formerly the Los Angeles bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal. Over the years, Sansweet has amassed the largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia in the world, which he houses at a place called Rancho Obi-Wan. He lives in Northern California. Anne Neumann is the resident collection manager at Rancho Obi-Wan, where she uses complex databases and photography to track and organize the more than 75,000 items in the collection.

Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Abrams (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810972913
• ISBN-13: 978-0810972919
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fun read with a less interesting mid-section, January 21, 2010

By 

Jeff W. "Jeff W." (North Attleboro, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles: Memorabilia and Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Paperback)

Sansweet has written several books on Star Wars collectibles and I always enjoy them. Although this book contains a lot of fun facts and pictures, I found myself getting bored when it veered into a long section on clothing, patches, soft goods etc (yawn). I found the first third, which is devoted to Star Wars toys, to be the most interesting. I would still recommend this to collectors, but I would encourage you to flip through it in a store so you really know what you're getting. A minor complain; a cardboard strip inexplicable surrounds the front and back cover, which makes the book awkward to read. I was constantly worried that I was going to tear it whenever I picked up the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Star Wars collecting books ever written, October 27, 2009

By 

Gus Lopez (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles: Memorabilia and Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Paperback)

I picked up Star Wars: 1000 Collectibles and read it cover-to-cover the day I got it. This is one of the best Star Wars collecting books I've ever read. It's a first person account of anecdotes, success stories, mistakes, and adventures in assembling author Steve Sansweet's collection, the largest private Star Wars collection in the world. The book covers rare one-of-a-kind items, unusual folk art, classic Star Wars collectibles, and some very funny stuff. Really an enjoyable read! Anne's photography is top notch. Definitely a must-have for the Star Wars collector's bookshelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have for SW Fans!, October 29, 2009

By 

S. Graham "Repo Fan" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles: Memorabilia and Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Paperback)

I received my copy of Star Wars: 1,000 Collectibles today and already took in the stunning imagery and diverse look at literally hundreds of unique Star Wars collectibles. If you began your collection before 1977, or are starting it today, it is a thrilling read for fans who wish to see what these amazing films have brought in the form of merchandise. In every Star Wars Insider, they offer glimpses of strange collectibles according to a certain theme, and if you love looking at that section of the magazine, this is a perfect item for you.