Customer Reviews

Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide for Collectors

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This is *the* book for anyone who's ever had an interest in the vintage Kenner Star Wars action figure line (from 1977-1985). Nostalgiac fans who may or may not collect will see all the items they loved as kids, while experienced collectors will get comprehensive coverage on many different aspects of the hobby.

Based on 10 years of research, the author has compiled detailed information not to be found elsewhere, with a special focus on US package variations, store displays & promotional items, and package and display-related prototype items. If you think you've seen it all, you simply haven't until you've seen this book. The author has used large, high quality photos of all the items, many of which have never been seen in any other format. In addition to coverage of the toys many knew and loved, the author provides images of rare and one-of-a-kind items from his own and other collections. You didn't know how many different versions of the rare and infamous unproduced rocket-firing Boba Fett figures there were until this book came out!

There have been other books covering parts of the same topic, but none with the quality and depth as this book. The $34.95 cover price is far less than one would expect to pay for a lengthy hard-cover book like this, especially considering the overall high quality. Unlike general Star Wars guides that used lots of small images, the author has used large, high quality, professionally produced images. The paper stock and hard cover are also heavier than any other book I've seen in this area. In my opinion, not only is this book a bargain at this price, many of the items seen in this book can't be seen *anywhere* since they are in various private collections. It's a super treat to be able to see them all here together in one place.

Todd Chamberlain
Editor, Star Wars Collectors Archive, www.toysrgus.com
Webmaster, www.toychamber.com

This is by far the best book on vintage Star Wars action figures that I've ever read (and I've read just about all of them)! Covers all VINTAGE Star Wars figures (and most vehicles and playsets) released by Kenner between 1977 and 1985 (perhaps the author will consider including a section on the Ewoks and Droids figures in the next edition?). Tons of full-color PHOTOS, and tons of details and information you will not find anywhere else. Here are some of the highlights: (1) great photos of every loose and carded Star Wars figure every released - including important variations, (2) a complete description of every version of every cardback ever released, (3) a nice section on vehicles, playsets, creatures, and cases, and (4) thorough sections on promo and mailer items, POTF coins, multi-packs, pre-production items, and store displays. I even found the price guide to be more credible and helpful than most. All in a high-quality book with nice, thick, semi-gloss pages. Great for the new or intermediate collector; but, even serious, long time collectors and professionals will likely learn a lot from this book.

This hardback with over 900 pictures is by far the best book ever written about the vintage Star Wars action figure line. If you ever wanted to know virtually all there is to know about the Star Wars action figure line produced originally by Kenner from 1978 until 1986, then this is THE book to own. Over 5 years of work went into this book and I have never seen its equal. Anyone from the most casual to the most serious collector will find this book exiting to read. I would consider this book an absolute must for anyone with an interest in the greatest line of toys ever produced. - Tom Derby

I've been collecting vintage Star Wars 15 years and it is the book i waited forever ... . There's a lot of work by the author on the pages and the pages are full of informations on how to collect vintage efficiently. Variants, prototypes, regular products, displays, everything is in there. A must purchase for every star wars fan !

This book is a must for anyone who collects vintage Star Wars figures. The writer has done an excellent job of making the book easy to use for novices and veterans alike.

John Kellerman has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run! This book is without a doubt the best on the market. I've been collecting vintage Star Wars figures for 26 years and can honestly say that any collector who doesn't have a copy of this book should have their memory erased!

From the pictures to the rarely seen prototypes, this book has it all. It is warm and inviting to the reader, not like some rigid price guides, and has clear, crisp photos. The compilation of this book alone is a triumph in itself! A book that the collecting community has been waiting for.

I happened upon this book while browsing through some other Star Wars titles and let me tell you, I'm glad I did! I have been collecting vintage carded Star Wars figures for about 3 years now and I have been dreaming for a book like this. I am by no means trying to collect every cardback and figure variation created by Kenner, but any one can with the help of this book. (And alot of $$$ of course!) Mr. Kellerman covers every aspect of vintage collecting, from sequence(release)numbers, to figure/card variations, vehicles, playsets, pricing/value and even store displays. It is all in very easy to understand text and charts showcasing the entire history of the vintage Kenner line from the first release double telescoping Luke Skywalker SW 12 back to the POTF Imperial Dignitary 92 back. A MUST have book for any vintage fan/collector. Weather you've been collecting for 2 years or 20, this book is a valuable addition to our hobby.

This book is great for Star Wars action figure collectors. It was very helpful as a resource to fully understanding my collection. Excellent photos throughout book. Written clearly. This seems to be the only book in the market to cover the entire vintage Star Wars action figure in such detail.

Beautifully photographed and exhaustively researched! Nothing like it exists out there. Could we persaude the author to do a volume for the 1995 and beyond material?