THOSE OLD FOSSILS 18 –

Princess Leia Organa (Part 1)

Who is she? She's beautiful. She is Princess Leia, and here's one of two shows dedicated to the Princess from a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

First up, Jez is joined by world class Leia focus collector –  David DeMarchis – who discusses some choice pieces, including his R2/Leia miscard, some LSAF 'hair routing samples' and his 12" Leia Bespin box flat.

And then there's the vintage collector everyone thinks of when you say 'Princess Leia' – Bruce White. Jez and Bruce chatted for so long, we've put the first half (focused mainly on the character and Carrie Fisher) in this episode and the second part of the interview (vintage collecting) in the next show.

Bruce's enthusiasm and love of both Leia and Carrie is infectious, and he shares some incredible stories including how he has been kissed by Carrie twice and she gifted him a very special 'Intimate Inflatable Love Piggy' as a thank you.

Once again, the Variant Villains are back to share some impressive knowledge drop some cape information that might make you wish you hadn't binned that suspicious 'repro' cape that you once bought.

Plus Stuart and Craig sit in to tell their stories of when they met Carrie Fisher and what the Princess means to them.

The Emperor, his Dignitary and his Royal Guard

Why do we spend time putting these epic videos together? 

So you can take a tour of collections like Daryl Whitlow's Emperors and  Chris Moorehead's Royal Guards, have a look at treasures from The Star Wars Collectors Archive with Ron Salvatore and get into lots of  nitty-gritty detail with the Variant Villains. 

Not to mention all the weird and wonderful finds from the GenSky team.  

Skip to the bits you want or sit back and watch the whole show. It's all  good.

The Emperor, his Dignitary and his Royal Guard

Join the Generation Skywalker team, Daryl Whitlow, Chris Moorehead, Ron Salvatore, Mark Andrews, Mark Baker, Jamie Acott and Will Mellish for a deep dive into our latest three figures.

Ron journeys into the realm of the 'Bald Emperor' prototype and throne room, Jez gets Daryl up at 7am to learn all about his passion for The Emperor and chats with Chris about his fantastic ERG collection – you won't want to miss either interview.

The Variant Villains give us the down-low on variants and Stu, Craig and Dan offer up a mix of Beyond the Toys treasures.

It's a Sith hot feast of greatness, covering Imperial badness.

Darth Vader with Bill McBride

This  enhanced version of our vintage Vader special is packed full of images and footage of Bill's epic collection, as well as photos and clips of  all the other rare and interesting items we discuss.

Click play for a vintage Vader visual treat.

Darth Vader with Bill McBride

Universally recognised as the Darth Vader collector, this lifelong Star Wars fan holds the Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Darth Vader Collection in the World’.

We would be honoured if you’d join us for an extra special look at all aspects of Bill's life as a Star Wars fan and a variety of his collecting highlights.

Bill shares some incredible collecting stories and covers all aspects of his Vader Vault from his mushroom tipped double telescoping lightsaber, to his treasured Ralph McQuarrie party favours, and his 1978 Darth Vader beer to his 1999 Japanese Motorcycle Jacket. (The less said about the condoms and Mr. Potato Head, the better.)

The show also includes two sections from the Variant Villains who open our minds to the plethora of differences in figures, capes and sabers. And Jez, Dan, Craig and Stu also cover a variety of  other Darth Vader items to ensure that the greatest film villain in the Galaxy is truly honoured.

A walrus, a rebel, a biker and a droid

All the visuals, all in one place.

See all the collections discussed, websites referenced, deleted scenes debated and items examined – all from the comfort of one video browser.

A walrus, a rebel, a biker and a droid

With Jez, Stu and Craig along with collecting powerhouse and Star Wars community favourite, Lee Bullock forming the round table.

Alex Pardi joins us to talk all about his Cantina Collection, Ron Salvatore pops in to wax lyrical about his love of Walrus Man (and his collecting pet peeve). 

Andy Goulding talks 'Hoth Soldier' as part of his Rebel Soldier focus. (He says he's not a focus collector but he's fairly focused).  

We also discuss the Biker Scout and Pop-Up Lightsaber R2-D2, with the Variant Villain team (Mark Andrews, Will Mellish, Jamie Acott and Thomas John) joining the crew  throughout to run through the figure variants of each of the four chosen characters.

Is  this our most vintage figure focused podcast yet? It's certainly our longest episode but it's pure vintage and nothing else.

What does the vintage wild find of dreams look like?  Press play and see for yourself. 

From a complete Early Bird Kit and an untouched Action Display Stand mailer, to the most pristine SKU footer Stormtrooper you ever saw – this is more a drool-a-long than a watch-a-long.

This is the yard sale find of dreams. Join Jez, as he interviews lifelong  fan and collector Paul Jason who has recently managed to get himself an  incredible find of vintage Star Wars toys.   

Paul’s find gives everyone ‘A New Hope’ that the vintage we crave is  still out there to be found.

We always say that the vintage collecting hobby is a very visual thing, so here’s episode 14 of Those Old Fossils enhanced with over 400 individual images and video clips to bring this month’s Four Figure Focus to life. 

Can’t quite visualise a Ben Kenobi first shot? Couldn’t make out Dengar in the shadows of Jabba’s palace? Having trouble picturing an army of Klaatus? Want to see the original artwork for the Anakin cardback? 

We’ve got you covered.

Those Old Fossils – our vintage collecting show – is here with the first of our Four Figure Focuses. 

This month an incredible nine members of the global Star Wars community join Jez, Stu, Dan and Marc Hockley as they delve into: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Dengar, Anakin Skywalker and everyone’s favourite peg warmer  Klaatu.

Matt George drops in for a brilliant interview on his beloved Ben  Kenobi, giving some incredible insights to pre-production collecting. Jez discovers a brilliant Facebook Group dedicated to Klaatu (The Klaatorium – Star Wars Klaatu and Skiff Guard Memorial & Cocktail  Lounge) and interviews three of its most enthusiastic members: Paul James, Barry Lewton and Dave Moore. 

Ron Salvatore gives his brilliant take on Anakin Skywalker and Mark Andrews, Will Mellish and Jamie Acott from Variant Villains give the lowdown on each figure.

Lots of voices, lots of knowledge – all looking at these characters, action figures and the Beyond the Toys items that they inspired. Did we miss anything? Let us know and get involved.

The watch-along version of our latest vintage roundtable with hundreds of images that bring to life our collector stories, auction reports and round-ups from the vintage Star Wars collecting hobby.

Grant,  Mark, Craig and Stuart settle down to discuss vintage Star Wars with a  focus on the state of the hobby at the end of a horrendous 2020.

With  the pandemic hitting hard, unemployment on the rise and uncertainty  around when all this will end, the team admit that they all thought the  hobby would take a battering over the year, but with prices spiralling  out of control, how wrong they were.

The  boys look back at some of the stand-out auctions from 2020 – from  C&T Auctions early lockdown Palitoy-heavy sale, through to the final  ever Astons auction – delving into the highlights and looking at some  of the insane prices certain items went for. 

Are current market values actually sustainable? It's a hot topic that gets some great discussion flowing.

Hover Pram. That's the word of the month on this Modern Way. 

Stuart,  Craig, Mark and Dan are joined by founding Generation Skywalker member  Grant Criddle, as he is welcomed back to hosting duties.

It's  a Mandalorian and Phantom Menace feast this month, as the team look at  the latest update on the Haslab Razor Crest, the Mandalorian Retro  Collection line and many other announcements.

The  team also celebrate The Phantom Menace trailer – released 22 years ago  this month – with a trip down memory lane to discuss all the hype, toys  and merchandise from around the release of Episode One.

Our  2020 Halloween Special takes a break from the usual format, with a look  at an element of Star Wars that always puts Craig in mind of the famous  HG Wells book (and subsequent movies adaptations) ‘The Island of Doctor  Moreau’.

Written  in 1896, it's very early science fiction horror story telling the tale  of a man trapped on the island home of a mad scientist who creates  human-like hybrid beings by experimenting on humans and animals.

But  how does all that relate to Star Wars?  We are thinking, of course, of  George Lucas’s fascination in creating alien races by taking earth-bound  animals and turning them into human-like beasts.

So  looking at things in that (rather grim) context we explore some of the  creatures of Star Wars, while reimagining Lucas as a mad scientist  surrounded by his creations.

‘The Island of Dr Modesto’, if you will...

What,  with Early Bird baggie types, different sticker styles and a close look  at colour-in posters, this episode of Those Old Fossils is a very  visual affair.

If you want to see the items we're discussing in glorious colour, this is the link to click.

Those Old Fossils returns with an in-depth  look at the Early Bird certificate and kit and Jez springs a different  opinion on why Kenner may have released a cardboard certificate for  children's Christmas presents in 1977.

Craig  takes us through his latest purchase-inspired blog post, as he delves  into the wonderful world of Pen-a-Poster, and a super rare unproduced  piece.  

(Check out the blog post to go along with the audio here)

A  recent Palitoy Landspeeder find with an ultra rare Boba Fett sticker is  also up for discussion, which prompts Dan to present his favourite five  toy stickers from the vintage era.

Our fourth vintage roundtable in a fully watchable format. Where we talk about an item, you'll see it on screen. 

These really are turning into a halfway house between podcast and documentary. Maybe Nextflix will commission a 12 part series.

Or maybe not.

With  top runner Stephen Savory, guest starring in this bumper episode, the  team cover a lot of ground in the latest vintage roundtable.
 

Up  for discussion this month are pack-in toy catalogues and paperwork –  including a look at Yehuda Kleinman's excellent write-up on the SWCA and  a debate around whether a boxed toy is complete without the papery  bits?
 

The team also discuss the aftermath of Toy Toni and Baggiegate and what effect such scandals have on the market.

Repro  peddlers 'The Fans Strike Back' are also put under the microscope and  the boys highlight the Star Wars toys from their youth that left them  confused.

Coming in at two hours, it's our biggest show yet, so dive in and let us know what you think.

Over an hour and a half of vintage chat, cram-packed with accompanying imagery and video clips.

Episode  III of Those Old Fossils is loosely themed around The Empire Strikes  Back with a look at some amazing ESB dioramas and a discussion around  Boba Fett's lasting appeal to fans and collectors. There's even a little  quiz based on the film's most popular toys.

You  can also see highlights from recent auctions and have a look at what  items have caught the team's eye on the 'Deal or No Deal' Facebook  pages.

Celebrating  the 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with a look at the  enduring appeal of Boba Fett and an inspiring Hoth diorama coffee table.

And  while lockdown continues to see high prices, the team delve into the  recent Vectis auction and explore the latest Facebook fad – 'Deal or No  Deal' sales pages.

Plus  Craig takes us through his latest blog post, as he explains why he  feels the term 'oddball' is derogatory to some areas of Star Wars  collecting.

All this, plus much more, including Jez announcing his favourite part of ESB is Endor!

The enhanced video version of show 007 that lets you see, as well as hear, what we are discussing this month.

Includes  lots of great Palitoy imagery, highlights from the C&T auction, and  even a great photo of a 7 year old Craig under his Christmas tree –  though it's worth a look for a glimpse at the current collections of our  core hosts alone!

With  everyone across the globe in different levels of lockdown, the team  discuss various ways to spend time with your collections in isolation. 

They  look at the Star Wars Palitoy Facebook group's recent Top 5 thread,  alongside a discussion around the Palitoy items sold recently by C&T  Auctions.

After  a great blog post over on the Star Wars Collectors Archive by Ron  Salvatore, the team look at the Argentinian Pepsi promotion and recent  fake sticker discovery.

And they begin their drive to discover and showcase collectors working with limited space to create kick-ass displays.

Our  first Vintage Roundtable, and this month we're asking, 'why the hell do  I collect this stuff?', as well as discussing Circus World and some  special value yellow tape – which raises more questions than the team  offers answers. 

Craig  delves into the Chinese bootleg comic world of lianhuanhua, we explore  the unproduced Kenner Sandspeeder and also take an appreciative look at  the wonderful imagination of the Imperial Commissary members as they  dress up as cardback art.

(Unavailable as an enhanced video version.)