So I'm thinking this is the best place to ask this. What are some SW toy Grails? I have a very close friend getting married this year, and he loves Star Wars with a fiery passion. I was thinking I may want to drop some cash on a rare/vintage toy as a wedding gift. I mean, really, who the fuck needs a fondue pot?? So any guidance, or whatever would be greatly appreciated! I know this is going to get me shit but I probably shouldn't spend over $300 on it, as I want to get his fiancee a comparable collectable type thing. Whatcha got!?
$300 is a hefty budget, even for something as collectible as Star Wars. That being said though, it might help a little to know more about his area of collecting, specifically, if you can find out. For instance, there are some who collect only the toys, other who want only memorabilia, some who want only OT stuff, others who dig it all, etc. Just trying to get some more info to narrow it down a bit. I can offer some personal recommendations, but everyone is going to be a little different, so before shelling out tons best to get something select, knowwhatImean? I know a lot of SOs would probably love to drop some serious cash on a vinyl toy for some board members for example, but a 300$ toy would cover something that means a lot of different things to varying tastes on the board.
It's tricky buying vintage for a collector if you don't know specifically what he's after. People always mean well, but if you're, say, only into top condition items, or if you have a Luke Jedi focus, it can be awkward getting a carded ROTJ Wicket with condition issues. One idea would be to go a bit peripheral and get a non-toy vintage SW item, like a Sigma teapot. There's also the infamous 3PO tape dispenser, but that might be more of a bachelor party gift than a wedding gift.
I believe that is what you meant. Hahaha, all excellent suggestions in fact. Glad to see a few folks on here with the 'creative' SW bug. It can be a bit tricky, especially if you don't know what he has already, but I also think this is a fantastic idea, and as a SW I can probably say it is a safe bet that any gift such as this would be a thrill to receive. And definitely much more appreciated than the 'standard' registry fare.
Hey Doc - I like Andy's Idea a lot, but as Steve said you never know what will will float a particular obsessive's boat. Is your friend hep to what's been going on in the modern soft vinyl world? A care package of Star Case goodies or the Medicom vintage-style dollies that BearModel has been sculpting up might a nice surprise for him.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Haha shitty friends make the world go 'round! You're right, I should probably probe for more info, maybe hit up his fiancee.. I know he's freaked out about finding specific vintage posters, and other memorabilia, but he also has a love for toys, a commonality we share, so I was thinking something from the toy world. Its been awhile since I've seen his collection. Funny how that happens, they get engaged and you don't see them nearly as often as you once did.. That Sigma teapot is pretty amazing, and even slightly appropriate for a wedding gift.. but I think something less wedding appropriate is what Im looking for. Something he'll shit his nerd pants over. He does cosplay as Han Solo occasionally, so something in the Han Solo, Millennium Falcon range of the.. galaxy.. may be good. As for soft vinyl, he's not really into it, or he doesn't get the appeal. I have considered some of the Star Case figures, but they don't seem his style. Anybody know of some secret handshake I can use to find some secret SW marketplace?
Some creeper grabs from his IG about stuff he's recently acquired and was excited about, if this helps at all: View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram
From those three, I'd say his collection is random and maybe a bit all over the place, but the two constants are all three have the original boxes, and none are figures. Personally I'd go for something special and unique that stands out - not, say, a B-Wing to go with an Y-Wing, since there are a million out there, and his collection is probably really big. So something standard may get lost in the shuffle. $300 won't buy a SW grail anymore, but if you scour Ebay for vintage stuff, you'll find lots of cool things that are off the radar, interesting, and affordable. Best bet is to use your eye and go with something you think he'd like.
You know, it is a pity you couldn't make a trip up the coast, as I have something that would actually work pretty well for this I think, and wouldn't mind parting with it, as I need the space and funds. The latest purchases are a help, as it seems he might be more of a traditionalist collector, i.e. focused more towards vintage and toys.
Thanks guys! I asked his fiancee what some of his grails may be, she hasn't gotten back to me yet but I'll keep you posted, so we can talk about how impossible they'll be!
Not that it needs me to add in to any of the hype, but for those not 'in the know' or who just follow SW on the periphery, or are slightly aware of the collectables market, this is a recent article from a couple days ago by Jordan Zakarin that highlights some pieces of one of my own personal obsession areas with Star Wars collecting, bootlegs. I cannot get enough of it. Anyway, thought I might share a little for interest's sake here. It has exploded in price (and demand) in recent years though. https://www.yahoo.com/movies/these-craz ... 55132.html Unfortunately, the article is just posted on Yahoo, so you have to put up with a lot of extraneous and horrible stuff that takes away from the enjoyment of the read, so apologies for that. Worth it though, if you are willing to be patient and can cut out the noise.
If you decide to use your budget for putting together a clutch of nice vintage goods for him, the Ralph McQuarrie portfolio set from ESB might be a great to include. This is a set of oversize concept art prints from 1980; seems complete sets in really good shape can be had for decent prices ($100 - $125) on eBay. I got a set when they came out and absolutely treasured them as a kid. My perception of them is that they seem to be underknown and perhaps underappreciated, these days... but I could be way off-base on that.
Excellent suggestion Mike. I had a very similar experience with my Portfolio. I think, for many years, it remained my most treasured SW item, and is still right up there with the best, rarity and price be darned. I don't think it quite fits the 'grail' status maybe he has in mind, but everyone should definitely have one, and it is a safe bet even non-Star Wars nuts would appreciate the incredible art. I don't know how the prices are these days, there has been a certain resurgence in things "McQuarrie" recently, with some toy nods (e.g. see the latest Super7 jumbo), the revival of Topps SW cards, his passing, and of course the new film. Anyways, something to keep an eye out for, for sure.
Thanks guys! I'll definitely add the Ralph McQuarrie portfolio to the list of possibilities! He does buy a lot of prints, so Im sure he'd be stoked! If he doesn't already have it. His fiancee hasn't gotten back to me about what some of his grails may be. Good thing I still have awhile to figure this out!
Plop, plop, fizz, fizz... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1pn4bTAQWA This 'prolly should have been posted back in October. Silly us.
