Welcome to Yoda on my Shoulder! Seriously, what better guide is there than the great Jedi Master Yoda in this journey of discovery. And that’s what Star Wars collecting has become for me: A journey of discovery of my youth; of my passions; of my world. Sure, I do it haphazardly, but it’s my collecting process. However odd it may seem, the process creates an extraordinary moments of surprise, of growth and of human connection. That’s what I want to share through this blog and I hope you will follow along in that galaxy “far, far away…”
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In a galaxy far, far way…
Share the triumphs of a Star Wars obsessed collector as the hunt for addition to the collection unfolds
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
Alright, let’s be real. Those of us who are obsessed with Star Wars collecting are really chasing the nostalgia of another time. Sure, some of us have the added bonus of enjoying the mythic themes of the story arches; or the bigger than life characters who’ve come feel like friends. But at its core, collecting from the far, far away universe is really about the nostalgia.
And I am totally OK with admitting that my obsession and chase is feeding the triggers of nostalgia like a drug. There’s a reason some refer to this obsessive collecting as “plastic crack.” The emotional rewards are addictive.
All that said, I blather on regularly to friends about this obsession and I think they’ve gotten bored with it. Thus, I had the following conversation in my head:
“Self,” said I.
“Yes,” replied me.
“I think the people who are your friends have grown bored by your incessant babbling about the dark hair Luke farmboy versus the traditional blond hair version,” said I.
Me was a aghast. “Foolishness!”
I pointed out the friends were not obsessing over the hair variant dialog and have moved over to the corner of the bar to look at a dead cockroach, “Really, me? Why are they conversing about a crushed cockroach in the corner?”
Me was silent.
“I believe it may be time to find a new audience for these missives and geekeries,” said I.
Me was pouting.
“You know, me, the intertoobz is full of Star Peoplez likers.”
Me glared at I, furious I allowed our friend John’s taunting of our obsession to taint our thoughtful conversation.
I was pensive, and paused. It was a thoughtful pause.
“It is important that we find our tribe,” I said finally. “That means the wilds of the electrons.”
Me turned his back to me.
Thus was the first discussion I had with myself about this Star Wars thing. But it wasn’t until yesterday, while taking a breathing treatment, and joking around with a cellphone camera and a 1981 Empire Strikes Back Yoda hand puppet, that it all crystalized.
I snapped a photo of myself with a breathing treatment mask on my face, hissing out the drugs I need to control the problems in my lungs, with Yoda on my shoulder. I texted it to my boss, with the quote: “Breathing, you must. To living, essential it is.” [OK the text of the text message has been embellished for story telling purposes, but you get the point.]
Yoda on my Shoulder was born. And now, Me and I will get to share our journeys with you. Snapped images from garage sales and barn auctions; video of auctions and audio of me cursing during some pursuit — these are just some of the things I will share. I will also share with you some of my finds (but never my honey holes). I might share images of variants for a wee bit of conversation. I will more than likely share photos of my dog, Lancelot Gobbo with various Star Wars items.
I should note, as well, that while I fully admit to be obsessed with all the things Star Wars, that I do occasionally grab up other action figures and brands. Why? Because I like the figure, or the reference creates a warm nostalgia for me. Whatever the reason, I will probably banter a bit about thinks like Thundercats or He-Man. I am no expert in any of these toy arenas mind you — so take my advice, observations whatnotism with a grain of salt — but I like what I like and I hope I can articulate why enough to maybe introduce you to a new line.
After a move…
Apologies to the three people who read the site. Finally, after a year of disability and insanity — including an unexpected move to a new; I am back. Just posting some collection pictures. More later.
An Accidental New Collection
I admit. As a kid, I did watch Super Friends cartoon. Ironically, I remained blissfully ignorant to the toy line launched in 1984-85 by Kenner. Not anymore.
These figures are fantastic. The colors of each superhero are brilliant, crisp and tell the story in some way of the character.
Forgive the current appearance of the current collection. I am reorganizing everything in order to better highlight and share these cool figures. I suspect this line will remain with me for some time, despite my ambiguous and mostly apathetic response to superheroes in general.
Kenner M.A.S.K.
In 1985, Kenner — which already dominated the previous years with Star Wars action figures, playsets and vehicles — was running out of steam. With no new Star Wars films in the foreseeable future and the Power of the Force lines collapsing, along with the weak sales of Droids Cartoon figures and toys as well as Ewoks Cartoon toys, they needed to fill their coffers.
It was the time of the rise of transformer toys. M.A.S.K. was the Kenner answer to the Mattel Takara partnership.
M.A.S.K. stands for Mobile Armored Strike Kommand. The series included 2.5 inch action figures with removeable masks and transforming vehicles.
When I first read about this series, I thought it was a larger action figure set. Imagine my surprise when these fellas showed up in a lot of action figures and I did the identification on them! I have several of the vehicles and more action figures coming shortly, because they are a pretty awesome line. I can see how they have become a sought after a collectible toy!
For more on M.A.S.K. check out the M.A.S.K. Collector’s Guide on Transformerland.com.
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons
As I have noted regularly, I buy lots of mixed action figures. One of the really cool side effects of this is I get introduced to toy lines I had no idea existed, The Advanced Dungeons and Dragons series is one such series.
This fella — ‘The Hooked Horror’ — showed up in a lot of Thundercats and Masters of the Universe figures. I originally thought he was a Thundercat. But a deep dive into the various toy archives led to identifying him. He’s not what most might consider a ‘great’ figure, but I think he’s pretty awesome sauce.
Learn more about the line at the Toy Archive.
Boss Hogg
As I have noted, I think, I buy a ton of action figures in lots. When I do, I am usually eyeing one of a few specific figures and the rest become for sale fodder. Well this fella came in a lot with some Kenner Indiana Jones figures I was eyeing. I was never a big Dukes of Hazzard fan. But this is a pretty awesome figure.
If you want to learn more about Dukes of Hazzard toy lines, please check the Action Figure Resource.
Who you gonna call?
As my vintage Star Wars collection is reaching that point where the missing pieces are those which are insanely expensive, I am slowly spreading out my collection to other lines. I am unsure why this Ghostbusters line has so captured my imagination, particularly since they were released at a time when I wasn’t paying attention. Yet, here I am investing in them! They are pretty awesome figures at the end of the day. I will snap some individual figure images and update this post later.
If you want to know more about the line, check it out at Ghostbusters Fandom.
Not Star Wars, but…
I first saw “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” in theaters as a reward for a friend and I cleaning out a neighbor’s shed. I was, I believe 13 or 14. At that point, getting action figures was off the table, but now that I am out on my own — well those rules don’t apply do they? LOL
Anyway, I picked these figures and playset up recently and I am quite pleased. I usually don’t display original boxes, but this one fit quite well in the back of the display area — so, why not? If you want to learn more about Kenner’s Indiana Jones action figures and playsets, check out The Action Figure Resource.
Top Shelf
Today was a big day here in Heywoodlandia — a lot of figures I ordered last week arrived. I knew there were a couple of Last 17 POTF Ewoks in the lot, as well as Luke Endor, General Calrissian and Barada. I had a hunch the poorly pictured R2D2 was likely a pop up lightsaber version. So I did not have the same thrill as my first pop up showed up in a lot of figures, but I was thrilled none the less.
Here’s the little bugger who showed up today. His sticker is pretty good shape, although it is faded and dirty. But look at that chrome dome! I am going to be selling him, so watch for my posts on the Book of Face!
And now it’s about accessories
I never had the 12″ series when I was a kid. And while originally I said to myself,” Oh hey look…” The figures have grown on me. Mostly, I think, because it’s often a scavenger hunt to find the right accessories. Of course, there is also upgrading the figures.
Today, in a trade, I was able to finally acquire the 12″ Obi Wan Kenobi. He’s missing accessories, and his white is stained, so I will be hunting for those. However, Ben now lives here and not way out there being a hermit!
This is my fourth example of Luke Skywalker in the 12″ version. But he’s the first one that’s complete!
This Leia 12″ figure is the fifth one I have obtained, but she rocks. Look at that hair! Every other one I have gotten had the hair down, and was missing the tights. This version has the tights, the shoes, the belt and, again, LOOK at that hair!
Welcome Thall Joben!
When I began this odyssey of collecting vintage figures and toys, Droids was not even on my radar. For that matter neither was the Ewoks series — until I accidentally picked up a King Gornesh figure in a lot at a local thrift store.
I have lurked on the various collector pages watching folks sharing their pictures of vintage figures, and I became enamoured of the Droids series ones. The cost of those figures, however, I was not enamoured by, I assure you!
So I started with Droids series items I could afford. The DVD of the Droids program. A lunch box and thermos. Now, I have graduated to a figure. Who knows what’s next!
Yoda on my Shoulder 