Hey guys, I decided a while back to streamline my focus and look predominantly at 3 packs. I look forward to adding to this focus in the coming years but realise that this will take time. My initial plans are not to necessarily try to complete a full set, rather to just collect items I like, when they come up. I make no bones about it that completion is an extremely unlikely prospect.
I recently moved into a new house and set up my display in a narrow alcove. I have included some background information o some of the pieces for those of you who might be interested.
I hope you enjoy the pics!
All the best. Chris.
My Collection Jan 2013
Collection Update Jan 2013 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Prototype/ Pre Production Pieces/ QC Pieces
Preproduction Items by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Individual PiecesSeries 1 Kenner Employee Prototype Android Set
This set represents a stage very close to production where only fairly minor changes needed to be made. Such changes included the adaptation of the single round punch to the better known and more functional Hanger Tab style. This insured standardisation across the Star Wars action figure line. Another feature to be removed was the black bar along the top of the window which was seen to obscure the view of the title for the “Android Set.” There is evidence of marker pen on the box in the bottom left corner and on the top right of the outer window. It is not known where this originates from or whether it was done at Kenner or afterwards. I would suspect afterwards.
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
003 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Unproduced Prototype Box Flat
I am currently unaware of exactly how many of these Box Flats have survived (at this stage I believe around 5 or 6) but it seems to me that they represent one of the final stages before production began. It is evident that black bar along the top of the window has now been removed as too has the single hole punch. Strangely, this box flat has a sellophane window on the front of the box which shows that Kenner obviously considered a window on the shadow box to provide further protection to the bubbles. In all honesty, it probably would have provided little protection. The only other change to be made now to the box would be the introduction of the hanger tab style punch.
260 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
262 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
263 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
074 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
075 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Prototype Empty Box
What is interesting about this piece is that it represents yet another stage in the 3 pack packaging process. The box still carries the single round punch that is evident on the first series Kenner Employee prototype Android Set. However, one difference is that the black bar has been removed allowing much better visibility for the title of the set if one was included which in this case it wasn't as the box has been left empty. This prototype box lacks the cellophane window which is present on the box flat. Perhaps Kenner felt that it would cost too much or that the cellophane would obscure the look of the figures and its aesthetic drawbacks outweighed it protective impact. It is my suspicion that this box represents one of the final stages of the design process before production. The only subsequent change to take place was the adaptation of the hole punch to the hanger tab style.
008 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
009 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 2 Droid Set
004 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
005 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB Series 1 - Canadian Imperial Forces Set
This particular set originates from Simpsons and it still has the price sticker on the side of the pack. Canadian 3 Pack sets are notably much more scarce than their US counterparts. In this case, as far as I can tell, only 2 examples of this set have surfaced so far and this is the nicer of the 2. The reason being, is that these sets were only available in small quantities to certain department stores who signed up to the department store programme. There are a number of key differences between the US and Canadian sets.
You can see some of the differences by checking the link to the SWCA where this set is pictured at the bottom of the page and there is a link to the US vserion in the text..
Empire Strikes Back 3-Pack Imperial Forces (Bossk, IG-88, Hoth Stormtrooper) - Star Wars Collectors Archive
IMAG1775 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1777 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1776 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1778 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB Series 2 Bepin Set - Quality Control Sample
IMAG1855 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1856 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1857 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB White Prototype Test Package - Rebel Set
The purpose of this packaging style was to test the dimensions of the box prior to printing. The box has no text and the bubble/ window is hand glued without the standard kenner production “Waffle Pattern.” This set is one of 2 known examples in the world. Similar prototypes were produced for the other sets in this third series run. (Imperial set and Bespin Set) These plain white packaged prototypes are also often referred to as Engineering Pilots.
006 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42329595@N07/7892768732/in/photostream/
Mini Group Shot
066 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
The Force Forever (One of a kind POTF Logo Concept) originated from Tom Neiheisel
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
003 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
004 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
005 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
41 Back Survival Offer Boba Fett Quality Control Sample.
An interesting fact is that it is signed off by the same employee who signed off my QC Bespin Set 3 Pack.
41 Back Survival Offer Fett QC Sample by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1915 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1919 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1916 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1918 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
All the best, Chris.
Subject: Caswellbot's 3 Pack Focus (Update 22/01/2013) 
Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:15 am
