The Padawan Collector

Some collectors need to read this.   In my short time in this hobby, I have read too many accounts of people going broke, people trying to keep up with the Jones's, people getting burnt out trying to "collect them all".  Take a step back, read this, and don't stress it. #toycommunity

I'm still shocked at how pricey collecting vintage toys can be, even for the smallest of items that you wouldn't think people would pay for... I mean sometimes I get lucky and find things tucked away at garage sales or items that come in bulk lots that ease the price, but man, sometimes its crazy.  What do you think?  #vintagetoys #actionfigures

These were always popular when I was a kid - Because its Boba Fett... and now collectors really want these. Here is Boba Fett's 1980 Topps Card from Series 2.  Empire Strikes Back. #bobafett #topps #starwars

Her name would be changed to Princess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) for the Return of the Jedi cardbacks in 1983.   FEATURED ITEM: 1984 Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) - ROTJ 77-B Cardback  Get this now using my eBay affiliate link: ebay.us/qrErfp From Top Rated Seller. Check out the other great items this seller has! ———————— Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) was released in 1980 on the first wave of the 31B Back Empire Strikes Back cards. It comes with a highly decorated vinyl cape and a blue Leia blaster. This figure has a slew of variants that come in the hair color, cape pattern, and neck variants, one of which is the “crew neck” Leia that came out on the 32B figure. This figure was re-released on the ROTJ cards, but was never released on the POTF cards.  ———————— I make commissions on qualified purchases with no added cost to you. Using my link supports my channel and allows me to keep making content. Always look at all pics and read description before buying & contact seller for questions. ———————— Check my Instagram and Facebook story feeds daily for early access on excellent pieces to add to your collection, I post items everyday! These items go quick once I post them.  #PrincessLeia #vintagetoys #actionfigures #KennerToys #StarWarsToys

The Day Disney Buys LucasFilm On October 30, 2012 - Disney purchased Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion in cash and stock — giving the world a new Star Wars era. Some facts: • George Lucas chose Kathleen Kennedy to lead Lucasfilm. • The deal included Star Wars and Indiana Jones. • Disney quickly announced The Force Awakens, kicking off the sequel trilogy. • The sale made Lucas one of the largest individual Disney shareholders. Get the complete Star Wars Saga on Blu-Ray now: amzn.to/439gQmp  (Affiliate link) I am an Amazon Affiliate and make commission on qualified purchases. It supports my channel, so thank you! #StarWars #Lucasfilm #Disney

Loose Scout Walkers are relatively common, but sealed or Q boxed versions, especially the original ESB and first ROTJ releases, are rare. FEATURED ITEM: 1982 Scout Walker - Mint In Box with Paperwork Get this now using my eBay affiliate link: ebay.us/XwlDML Great Price From Top Rated Seller + Option to make an offer for an even lower price. Check out the other great items this seller has!  ———————— Released in 1982, the Scout Walker, or AT-ST, appeared briefly in The Empire Strikes Back, yet Kenner created a toy of it. The toy featured a button at the back of the "head" to move the legs sporadically or keep them still for standing. Its prominence in Return of the Jedi—patrolling Endor's forests and even taking out an Ewok—boosted its popularity. In 1983, the toy was re-released in an updated ROTJ package, with a second release featuring Endor-themed artwork. The beast plate, “head” mounted laser gun, and fuselage cover and door are often found missing, and applied stickers have come off through the years, making a complete version hard to find these days. In 1995, Hasbro reissued it with a more detailed, realistic deco. ———————— I make commissions on qualified purchases with no added cost to you. Using my link supports my channel and allows me to keep making content. Always look at all pics and read description before buying & contact seller for questions. ———————— Check my Instagram and Facebook story feeds daily for early access on excellent pieces to add to your collection, I post items everyday! These items go quick once I post them.  #EmpireStrikesBack #vintagetoys #actionfigures

Let's check out Lando Calrissian's Rookie Card from 1980.  You can watch my entire series on YT right now where I cover every card in detail and go over the Topps/Star Wars history. This is from Topps Series 1 of the Empire Strikes Back cards that first debuted in the spring of 1980, around March.  A full 2 months before the movie opened.  #topps #empirestrikesback #landocalrissian

Topps used the psychology of collecting on its 1980 Series 2 set of the Empire Strikes Back Cards.  Watch this entire series of videos on my YT channel! #starwars #topps

The high price of vintage toys.  It still shocks me how much some of these items can be!  Does it shock you? #vintagetoys #starwars #actionfigures

The Original Lucas Museum  On October 29, 1997 ✨“Star Wars: The Magic of Myth” opened at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This landmark exhibition explored how George Lucas used Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey framework to shape the saga’s timeless mythology. Fans could see original props, models, and costumes — from Luke’s lightsaber and Vader’s armor to the Millennium Falcon model and Yoda puppet — displayed as cultural artifacts rather than movie memorabilia. Some Facts: • The exhibit ran for over two years, attracting millions of visitors before touring major U.S. museums. • It was accompanied by a companion book by curator Mary Henderson, now considered a collector’s favorite. • It was one of the first times the Smithsonian treated a modern film as a legitimate mythological work of art. Get the book “Star Wars: The Magic of Myth” now: amzn.to/4hCb176 (Affiliate link) I am an Amazon Affiliate and make commission on qualified purchases. It supports my channel, so thank you! #StarWars #Lucasfilm #StarWarsHistory

This toy is commonly found loose, though typically incomplete, thanks to the harpoon feature.   FEATURED ITEM: 1980 Rebel Armored Snowspeeder - Mint in Box & Complete with inserts. Get this now using my eBay affiliate link: ebay.us/r9uVhQ Low Shipping fee From Top Rated Seller + Option to make an offer for an even lower price. Check out the other great items this seller has! ———————— Released in 1980 by Kenner, The Rebel Armored Snowspeeder vehicle is notable for its front guns, which light up and emit sound effects, as well as its pop-down landing gear feature. It also included a "harpoon" accessory attached to its rear, which is often missing from loose examples. The toy is commonly found loose, though typically incomplete. Boxed versions are more collectible, and Kenner produced two distinct box designs for the Snowspeeder. The initial version featured a pink background, while a later release used a blue background with a different photo. The blue box variant is significantly rarer. Additionally, in 1980, a "Special Offer" version was made available to larger retailers, including a free Rebel Soldier figure and marked with a yellow sticker on the box. In the mid-1990s, Hasbro reused the molds for a newer rendition of the vehicle, but they included modifications that distinguish it from the original Kenner release. ———————— I make commissions on qualified purchases with no added cost to you. Using my link supports my channel and allows me to keep making content. Always look at all pics and read description before buying & contact seller for questions. ———————— Check my Instagram and Facebook story feeds daily for early access on excellent pieces to add to your collection, I post items everyday! These items go quick once I post them.  #EmpireStrikesBack #vintagetoys #actionfigures #KennerToys #StarWarsToys

My action figure collecting mishaps... Sometimes it doesn't go as smooth as I planned it to be. #actionfigures #vintagetoys #toycollector

Did you have these in 1980? The Topps Empire Strikes Back Series 2 cards.  Join me over on YT as I go over these cards sets in detial and give the history of Star Wars and Topps coming together. #topps  #starwars #cardcollector

The EP III Teaser Poster On October 28, 2004 - The teaser poster for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was unveiled online and in theaters, giving fans their first glimpse of Anakin Skywalker’s dark fate. 🔥 The image showed Anakin’s flowing cloak forming the unmistakable silhouette of Darth Vader, hinting at his transformation. 🎬 This was the final prequel film, completing George Lucas’ six-part saga. 📅 The poster arrived nearly 7 months before the film’s release — a nostalgic throwback to how Lucasfilm built anticipation in the Original Trilogy era. 🧠 Fun Fact: The “Vader shadow” design became one of the most iconic teaser posters in Star Wars history, often ranked alongside the 1977 Hildebrandt “floating heads” artwork. Find your favorite Star Wars posters: amzn.to/3LjC3nD (Affiliate link) I am an Amazon Affiliate and make commission on qualified purchases. It supports my channel, so thank you! #StarWars #RevengeOfTheSith #DarthVader

Lets go over the 1980 Empire Strikes Back Series 2 cards made by Topps.  Head over to my YT channel and check out my videos series on these cards.  I go into the history of the Topps/Star Wars relationship and I go over each card in detail.  #topps #starwars #nonsportscards

Lets go over C-3PO's Topps card from the 1980 Series 1 set for The Empire Strikes Back.  Do you collect these cards? #topps #starwars #vintage

My eBay mishaps collecting vintage Star Wars action figures.  I make the mistakes so you don't have to.  Learn from a Padawan. #vintagetoys #starwarstoys #ebayshopping

Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) was released in 1983 for the Return of the Jedi line of toys by Kenner on the 65A cardbacks in the USA and 70A Palitoy tri-logo cardbacks in the UK FEATURED ITEM: 1983 Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) - UKG Graded 90 Gold! Get this now using my eBay affiliate link: ebay.us/pztgsn Great price from Top Rated Seller. Check out the other great items this seller has!  ———————— Luke comes with either a blue or green lightsaber, a grey or brown Palace Blaster, and a snap-on or pullover soft-goods cloak. It was also re-released for the Power of the Force cardbacks in 1985. Other variations come in the body sculpt and head paint apps.  ———————— I make commissions on qualified purchases with no added cost to you. Using my link supports my channel and allows me to keep making content. Always look at all pics and read description before buying & contact seller for questions. ———————— Check my Instagram and Facebook story feeds daily for early access on excellent pieces to add to your collection, I post items everyday! These items go quick once I post them.  #LukeSkywalker #StarWarsToys #vintagetoys #actionfigures

The trilogy is complete. In this final installment we find out where some of these vendors who lost their businesses ended up: youtu.be/VLusBPqEFu4?si=6lFo…

John Williams Was Back On Oct 27, 2013, it was officially confirmed that the legendary John Williams would return to score Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens! This marked his seventh Star Wars film score, continuing a musical journey that began in 1977. Williams was 81 at the time, and he said he returned because he “didn’t want anyone else writing music for Daisy Ridley’s Rey.” 🎼 Quick Facts: • Williams has composed over 50 hours of Star Wars music across the saga. • His iconic themes — from “The Force Theme” to “Duel of the Fates” — have become some of the most recognizable in film history. • The Force Awakens earned him his 50th Oscar nomination, making him the most-nominated living person at the time. • The film’s standout new theme, “Rey’s Theme,” instantly became a modern classic. Get the complete Star Wars Saga on Blu-Ray now: amzn.to/439gQmp (Affiliate link) I am an Amazon Affiliate and make commission on qualified purchases. It supports my channel, so thank you! #StarWars #JohnWilliams #TheForceAwakens #StarWarsHistory