I was just cruising through the latest purchase thread and noticed Joe's amazing proof pick up, along with John's incredible Three Pack, Italian Klaatu and Canadian Transition MOC, Jay's German Yoda and Wolff's TT Luke Jedi. Those are some amazing, killer pieces. And yet, no one seemed to comment on them. IMO, those deserve quite a bit of praise, not just for the rarity, but the time/effort it takes to track down.

Anyway, it brought up a question. I consider these pieces incredible and very worthy of comment and consideration. However, what does everyone else think? What do you consider rare and amazing? There's no right or wrong answer I'm just curious and thought it would be a good discussion.

Is it PBP, Ledy, Loose variants, MOC, Pre-Production, Death Star pencil sharpeners?

The latest purchases thread moves so fast it's hard to keep up with comments without sounding too awesome blossom A lot of the items are worthy of limelighting in individual threads. I guess we are spoilt / lucky to get to see so many new aquisitions on a daily basis. What do I consider rare/amazing? - things I've not seen before ie. SW record box or everything Ewok related

I pretty much love seeing also sorts of vintage items from odd ball, paper works, loose variants everything really but its defo seeing rare / hard to find MOC's that i get really buzzed about i also really enjoy seeing proofs / 2d pre production scores.

AJ is right thought the latest purchases threads really zips at an amazing pace sometimes!

I cant believe we are on volume 4 already (each volume is a separate thread of 70 pages!) - If someone has time on there hands i recommend checking out the earlier volumes which are linked on the first post of each volume

I find it so hard to keep track of i have now started allocating and hour every Sunday so i can to check all the latest updates out properly

Cheers Jay

Great idea for discussion Chris!

I feel that all aspects of collecting are amazing no matter how big, small, or cost of the item. There are some great pieces out there and we have such a great variety in the recent acquisitions thread. As others have already said it is certainly difficult to keep up with it all, but that means the hobby is alive and well.

As far as rarity goes though I personally feel preproduction is really where it is at. There are certainly some exceptions to the rule, but in most cases anything actually produced was made in very large quantities. Some of it is certainly difficult to find, but at any moment a find could turn up more making an item that was once rare a whole lot more common. In most cases with preproduction only a very small run was made for proofing, signing off, etc. These are the actual pieces used in making the toys and were meant to be just thrown away after the fact. It's really amazing how much of it actually survived, but if you look at each individual piece your looking at single and a few double digit numbers of that piece that exist, so I feel they are more truly rare.

What do I find rare/ amazing? Everything. Even if you've seen it a hundred times before or for the first time, it always gives me a thrill to see someone able to land a piece for their collection, whether its a loose Nien Numb up to a proof or a piece of pre-production. Just knowing that the piece is in a collection that the collector cherishes it is worth a million, even if you don't tell them that when they showcase it.

I'm a whore and I like to comment on everyone's new wares
I agree with a lot of the previous thoughts. For me the latest purchases thread is a nice surprise each time I open the pages - the diversity of items is staggering sometimes - from rare production/pre production pieces to the oddball stuff which is a big fave for me. Some of the items, I agree, are def worthy of individual limelights, but the great thing about Latest Purchases is that it's a 'communal limelight' for everyone to add to - regardless of rarity etc - equals great diversity

Artoo_Detour wrote:

I'm a whore and I like to comment on everyone's new wares

Same here Paul,
I like to comment on each individual new purchase, thinking each posted item is valuable to the new owner, and therefore deserves some feedback. And off course it is also fun to do so (though time consuming ).

Which items should be considered rare? Difficult to answer, rarity is something which is dependent on the number of items still remaining in a certain condition. Actually I don’t care about rarity too much. Personal value, and appreciation towards an item is what matters the most to me. To give an example, one of my most valuable item is a beater Kenner TIE Fighter Pilot, coz of the story behind it. It matters more to me than my Sandcrawler or Ewok Battle Wagon.

I really do get a kick out of any pre production and MOC, but knowing how rare certain loose figures or odd ball items are I can definitely appreciate them from a distance.

As far as commenting goes, sometimes im lazy , sometimes im not but I think we all feed off of a bit of positive feedback and some encouragement , I know I enjoy comments so I try to reply to all the new stuff coming in and the limelights even if its really not my cup of tea

Maybe this sounds wierd, but when I see pictures of really rare and unique items, I just get starstrucked. When members share the story of how they got it and made a great deal to their advantage, I chear inside, as one for the team

Thats why its hard to comment for me. I injoy seeing members new stuf and get inspired. But I am a silent watcher, its really hard to write something constructive other than.... Whooaaaa and Yeaaaah, you bagged that Mofo-bro

Darth Kaze wrote:

Whooaaaa and Yeaaaah, you bagged that Mofo-bro

Honestly the more of that there is the more fun I would have around here

I love small talk and funny comments lol

Personally, I would love to just see more comments in general. It creates great discussion and banter.

I also think whenever one of us limes a new item, we are looking for reassurances from our online buddies that it's cool. The purchaser definitely thinks it's cool, but we like to hear it from like minded people. We don't hang out so much with each other if we didn't value each others opinions.

I do agree with most of you though. That seeing new items in general really excites me. Lately, I've been drawn to the oddball stuff just because you never know what is going to pop up next. And the vintage art on some of those pieces is just too cool for school. However, I'm a MOC guy and a pre-production guy at heart. So seeing that stuff really gets my heart beating. Especially incredible foreign MOC!

But Klaus, you can tell me congrats on bagging that mofo anytime you want buddy!

Chris you hit on a point I always wondered about. I know the thread is really for showing your stuff but I wonder if anyone posts looking for an affirmatiion.

I always look to see what people say. I don't need it per say , but certainly look to see if people like it. I will say that I think people are genuinely happy to show their stuff, without any type of showing off.


BTW @ Shawn - I dont agree that anything production can't be on the same level as a pre-prod in terms of rarity. UZAY Headman MOC, any foreign ESB MOC, are all pretty rare and might be single digit examples. My ROTJ "Luc" Bespin from Meccano and ESB Harbert Yoda are examples.

Darthberizing wrote:

BTW @ Shawn - I dont agree that anything production can't be on the same level as a pre-prod in terms of rarity. UZAY Headman MOC, any foreign ESB MOC, are all pretty rare and might be single digit examples. My ROTJ "Luc" Bespin from Meccano and ESB Harbert Yoda are examples.

I completely agree John. Some of those pieces are exactly what I had in mind what I said "There are certainly some exceptions to the rule"

shawn_k wrote:

Darthberizing wrote:

BTW @ Shawn - I dont agree that anything production can't be on the same level as a pre-prod in terms of rarity. UZAY Headman MOC, any foreign ESB MOC, are all pretty rare and might be single digit examples. My ROTJ "Luc" Bespin from Meccano and ESB Harbert Yoda are examples.

I completely agree John. Some of those pieces are exactly what I had in mind what I said "There are certainly some exceptions to the rule"

Well okay then , wanted to make sure you werent a pre-prod snob

Darthberizing wrote:

I always look to see what people say. I don't need it per say , but certainly look to see if people like it.

Ah come on John we know you like our comments really We all like discussing our stuff

Having some compliments once in a while (or every time you post something new) is only ever going to have a good effect on you, I think if you share that much and no-one replied you wouldn't be so quick to post next time- its all about sharing it with the people that "get it" and the comments keep us going

Joe_O wrote:

Darthberizing wrote:

I always look to see what people say. I don't need it per say , but certainly look to see if people like it.

Ah come on John we know you like our comments really We all like discussing our stuff

Having some compliments once in a while (or every time you post something new) is only ever going to have a good effect on you, I think if you share that much and no-one replied you wouldn't be so quick to post next time- its all about sharing it with the people that "get it" and the comments keep us going

No Joe I didnt mean it the way it sounds. I meant that if I post up something I bought I dont need people saying it was a good purchase to make me feel it was worth it. I like seeing the comments because of the sharing and feeling of community of course!

Still being new to the hobby I find everything featured in the recent finds thread amazing. Some of it I've never seen before, opening my eyes to a whole other aspect of collecting. I can appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into to finding these items. I feel a sense of victory for each poster when I see what they've obtained.

For me, even the more more common, easier to find items are exciting because they are new to me. I've almost completed my loose collection and then will continue my focus on a full MOC ROTJ run. I know this will be a timely challenge but even the few MOC's I already have make me excited every time I look at them. They're not the best condition but I'm going for what is obtainable for me. I haven't wanted to post them because I figured everyone has seen them and may even think they're junk. If I'm wrong I would be more than happy to post them!

I've been a pretty quiet watcher (and new) around here but like to chime in when I can so I like to give that'a'boys to the recent finds.

Good times - Dallas

I'm still finding my way around the site, every new click brings another "wow" intake of breath and head shaking of disbelief and awe in what i'm seeing, to tell the truth i'm feeling a little bit out of my depth lol im just a lowly ex-kid who has a few peices left from way back when and a few bits n bobs i picked up rambling around car boot sales.....how i'd love to have the bank balance to begin building anything worthy of the term "collection".

What do i find rare? - equality , but i'm seeing a refreshing lack of airs n graces around here , it's great to read posts from top end collectors and "smaller" guys (for want of better wording) all with a common mindset, hats off to everyone involved here!

What do i find amazing? - This site!!

Maybe some day in the future i can re-visit these 2 questions and have answers relating to actual pieces/items.

Nelg_Semaj wrote:

to tell the truth i'm feeling a little bit out of my depth lol im just a lowly ex-kid who has a few peices left from way back when and a few bits n bobs i picked up rambling around car boot sales.....how i'd love to have the bank balance to begin building anything worthy of the term "collection".

But that's great you still have a few pieces from childhood - priceless! I have just an old SW book from my childhood lol but I love that book. And car boot sales... picked up some nice bits and pieces over time! Charity shops too. Keep hunting

Sith Noob wrote:

For me, even the more more common, easier to find items are exciting because they are new to me. I've almost completed my loose collection and then will continue my focus on a full MOC ROTJ run. I know this will be a timely challenge but even the few MOC's I already have make me excited every time I look at them. They're not the best condition but I'm going for what is obtainable for me. I haven't wanted to post them because I figured everyone has seen them and may even think they're junk. If I'm wrong I would be more than happy to post them!

Post some pictures Dallas no one will think they're junk at all, always happy to see ppl's new SW stuff

Nelg_Semaj wrote:

I'm still finding my way around the site, every new click brings another "wow" intake of breath and head shaking of disbelief and awe in what i'm seeing, to tell the truth i'm feeling a little bit out of my depth lol im just a lowly ex-kid who has a few peices left from way back when and a few bits n bobs i picked up rambling around car boot sales.....how i'd love to have the bank balance to begin building anything worthy of the term "collection".

What do i find rare? - equality , but i'm seeing a refreshing lack of airs n graces around here , it's great to read posts from top end collectors and "smaller" guys (for want of better wording) all with a common mindset, hats off to everyone involved here!

What do i find amazing? - This site!!

Maybe some day in the future i can re-visit these 2 questions and have answers relating to actual pieces/items.

Thanks for the kind words Glen Your very lucky to have surviving items from your childhood

The awesome thing about vintage SW is there is something to collect for ever budget When i had a budget of 40gbp a month at one stage i use to pick up loose mint complete figures and it was a great especially when you occasionally uncovered cool variants

Artoo_Detour wrote:

Sith Noob wrote:

For me, even the more more common, easier to find items are exciting because they are new to me. I've almost completed my loose collection and then will continue my focus on a full MOC ROTJ run. I know this will be a timely challenge but even the few MOC's I already have make me excited every time I look at them. They're not the best condition but I'm going for what is obtainable for me. I haven't wanted to post them because I figured everyone has seen them and may even think they're junk. If I'm wrong I would be more than happy to post them!

Post some pictures Dallas no one will think they're junk at all, always happy to see ppl's new SW stuff

As Paul said Glen get some pictures up bro i love seen all MOC pick ups!!

Let's see your toys Dallas - seriously never be ashamed or inferior to anyones collection, I still get excited when I buy a vintage loose figure or accessory as much as I do buying something a lot rarer. It's all just plastic and cardboard and luckily we all appreciate it

jaymassive619 wrote:

Nelg_Semaj wrote:

I'm still finding my way around the site, every new click brings another "wow" intake of breath and head shaking of disbelief and awe in what i'm seeing, to tell the truth i'm feeling a little bit out of my depth lol im just a lowly ex-kid who has a few peices left from way back when and a few bits n bobs i picked up rambling around car boot sales.....how i'd love to have the bank balance to begin building anything worthy of the term "collection".

What do i find rare? - equality , but i'm seeing a refreshing lack of airs n graces around here , it's great to read posts from top end collectors and "smaller" guys (for want of better wording) all with a common mindset, hats off to everyone involved here!

What do i find amazing? - This site!!

Maybe some day in the future i can re-visit these 2 questions and have answers relating to actual pieces/items.

Thanks for the kind words Glen Your very lucky to have surviving items from your childhood

The awesome thing about vintage SW is there is something to collect for ever budget When i had a budget of 40gbp a month at one stage i use to pick up loose mint complete figures and it was a great especially when you occasionally uncovered cool variants

Artoo_Detour wrote:

Sith Noob wrote:

For me, even the more more common, easier to find items are exciting because they are new to me. I've almost completed my loose collection and then will continue my focus on a full MOC ROTJ run. I know this will be a timely challenge but even the few MOC's I already have make me excited every time I look at them. They're not the best condition but I'm going for what is obtainable for me. I haven't wanted to post them because I figured everyone has seen them and may even think they're junk. If I'm wrong I would be more than happy to post them!

Post some pictures Dallas no one will think they're junk at all, always happy to see ppl's new SW stuff

As Paul said Glen get some pictures up bro i love seen all MOC pick ups!!

Thanks Jay, Paul great words of encouragment , unfortunately the only carded figs I have these days are a few from 96/98 but theyre mint lol other than that my figs are all loose but some are prestine!, I think aussie_james might like this ...i've a lovely example of 5 colour variants of vintage Logray (pic uploading as we speak) , 4 x HK and 1xMacau all 5 are prestine, i've started a little personal gallery so i'll gladly share the pics for all to see .....and i've decided for now, budget dictating and as a newbie to the collector game & this site , I'll become a variant hunter of cheap loose vintage figures ...too help in my education of whats what

Really is good to be part of this site, i'm loving it and everyone i've encountered so far has been friendly and encouraging,Thanks again guys.

Edited with picture!!

Wow a few questions answerd/debated here.

As for the man Post question: What do I consider Rare - there are many catagories here.

1) The pre-production Toy gems that Tom N and other like minded Kenner Employees took the time and care to save. If it wasn't for these guys then alot of amazing history would have been lost for ever. I know not a lot of people are simply not just interested or are just not able to stretch to a pre-production piece but I think it great to have something that was used in the design process. I am an Design Engineer, so I appreciate the time-consuming if not mind-breaking process during the earlier development stage. A lot time and effort goes into this stage before management can give the thumbs-up. Even then - they might give the thumbs-down which can be sole destroying if you just spent your weekend on a particular project.

2) Toy related Promo material. I love the promo material given during the 80s to promote the film. I don't have collections like Uli's but some of the pieces he has are just mind blowing. Many of the leaflets and sweeps stakes we either used or lost and in my opininon very rare. So to browse through his collection must be a great experience.

3) Then there is the movie related items that were given out to cast and crew or used to promote the film. Some items are not as rare as other others. But I have had a particular intrest in picking up cast and crew items from the Prop Store of London or through collectors who picked up pieces of Gary Kurtz collection. I am working on getting another Lucit Star for my collection hopefully it works out I can share it on the recent purchases as it a very rare 1st edition.

As for the second part: I think anything Star wars is amazing and love looking through everyone items. I haven't spent much time on the Odd ball and non toy finds of yet but hope to spend a good few hours on a rainy afternoon to have a good read.

As for showing off you purchases: No matter how small or big I think everyone so put up a photo and description. I love listening to the stories on how it was found, why they bought it, if it is a particular variation, etc. So please do. I know I haven't done a update of well dones in a while but I am hoping to get a couple cans in on this Friday and work my way through.