Can a Star Wars collectors club meetup really be a life-changing event?For the podcast’s milestone 200th episode, join host David Quinn for a look back at RonCon 2, an unforgettable 2017 meetup in the Hudson Valley area of New York.Hosted by Ron Salvatore, RonCon offered members of the Empire State Star Wars Collectors Club the opportunity to spend…

We’ve reached the end of another toy show season.In a year of fantastic trips and bountiful blessings, the Maryland Toy Expo stands out among the very best. And there’s no better way to close out the season than to return to Timonium for the November fall show.Join host David Quinn as he tours the Expo during Friday’s setup and Saturday’s main even…

Four of the best Star Wars collections are uniting to form the ultimate museum.And that’s just one of the stories in an exceptionally newsworthy and fascinating month.Which iconic helmet and uniform are appearing publicly for sale at auction for the very first time?Which exciting action figure announcements did Hasbro make at New York Comic Con?Wha…

Continuing the momentum of a powerhouse franchise like Star Wars or Marvel is not easy.In October of 2023, Disney spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, acknowledging the issues the company faced with its Marvel films and series, and what it planned to do to correct them to get Marvel back on track. And while Star Wars fans have wished for something si…

A new era of Star Wars is coming.Lucasfilm is rumored to be cutting back on its Star Wars series output. The timeline for films and shows is starting to align. And a beloved character franchise is coming to a close.But that is just a taste of what has been one of the busiest months of the year for Star Wars news.After two record-breaking sales at a…

Is Retro Con the best toy show on the east coast?A number of toy fans certainly think so, and with good reason. The Pennsylvania event offers so much for collectors and attendees of all ages. Across more than 67,000 square feet of toy show space, it contains more than 300 booths filled with vintage and modern toys, with a number of the dealers savi…

A Boba Fett figure shockingly skyrocketed past the million-dollar mark for the first time at auction in August. And with a controversial series cancellation, major updates to Lucasfilm’s movie and series slates and a theme park attraction overhaul, Star Wars fans now have a clearer view of the franchise’s future. But where is Star Wars truly headin…

An $1800 holy grail figure for….12 dollars???This year’s Toys For The Ages Expo in Carlisle, Pennsylvania may have been the best one yet. The sheer amount of amazing finds and pickups of Star Wars items and ones from a vast number of other toy lines makes this show a must-attend event each year.Join host David Quinn for part two of a weekend at the…

The Star Wars Collectors Archive changed the collecting world forever.The essential website, created by Gus Lopez in 1994, showcased the prototypes and production pieces from the Kenner Star Wars toy line, as well as memorabilia from the global release of the original trilogy. But more importantly, its contributors and authors helped to inform and …

It’s time to return to Carlisle in search of rare Star Wars collectibles.Pennsylvania’s Toys For The Ages Expo weekend marks the middle of the summer in a busy toy show season. And for collectors, it’s a perfect toy trip to reconnect with old friends, to make new ones and to possibly come home with some grail pieces in the process.But what makes th…

Star Wars auctions are heating up this summer.Heritage Auctions had a blazing July sale, with a million-dollar Y-wing and other incredibly iconic Star Wars props.White-hot bidding for carded Kenner figures like a Vinyl Cape Jawa, and prototypes like a Leia Boushh sample, led to some record-setting prices at Hake’s latest catalog auction.And for the…

Our time at the Expo is almost over.But with the second half of Saturday remaining, there’s time for more Star Wars finds and more conversations with our fellow collectors!Join host David Quinn for the third and final part of an in-depth series highlighting The Maryland Toy Expo weekend. Hear about a deal between Andy Cook and Arthur Lew for an inc…

There’s been an awakening…in the North!In the previous episode, we learned about the history of May The North Be With You, a Canadian Star Wars convention started by members of the Ontario Alliance.May The North stands out among other conventions, as it offers a more intimate, VIP-level experience. Each May The North weekend features legends who wo…

The Rebellion is growing in the North!Three years ago, four Canadian collectors were inspired to create a Star Wars convention in the Toronto area.They aimed to make May The North Be With You a more intimate and personal Star Wars experience for their fellow collectors. And since 2022, May The North attendees have had once-in-a-lifetime opportuniti…

It’s Saturday morning, and time to explore the Expo!In the previous episode, we saw how the two-building toy show came together at setup. Now that the nearly 300 vendors’ booths are constructed and collectibles fill every inch of the hundreds of tables awaiting attendees, the show is about to open to the public!Join host David Quinn for part two of…

It’s time to head to a new part of the country in search of rare Star Wars figures and memorabilia.During the first week of June, promoters Mark Ryan and Kristian Kuhn hosted The Maryland Toy Expo in Timonium, Maryland. The show featured almost 300 booths and hundreds of tables of toys and collectibles, spread across two adjacent buildings at the M…

This month’s Newsdesk proves there’s more going on in the Star Wars universe beyond The Acolyte. As the fanbase continues to fracture and the series demands the month’s spotlight, what were the other newsworthy moments for Star Wars fans and collectors?What does analytics data actually tell us about the makeup of the Star Wars film and series audie…

Getting stuck in a toilet, starting an office fire, and firing blow darts into plastic dolls? Just an average day at Kenner.These are just some of the ridiculously funny and fascinating stories from the final Star Wars-themed panel of the Rogue Fun collectors weekend, held during the May fourth weekend in Kennesaw, Georgia. Former Kenner employees …

In 1992, Steve Sansweet published a groundbreaking book on collecting Star Wars figures and memorabilia. And since then, he has written some of the most comprehensive Star Wars collecting resources.And in 2022, Paul Harrison and Rich Alot created a Vintage Collection book that became the new standard for Star Wars publishing. During the May 4th wee…

The spring Delaware toy show may have had its largest crowd ever.Held on the Sunday between the Syracuse FonzCon trip and the Georgia Rogue Fun event, April’s Delaware toy show was the place to shop for vintage and modern Star Wars collectibles.Join host David Quinn as he travels to Delaware for the day. And find out what makes this show an east co…

Have you met the man who first brought Boba Fett to life?In 1978, John Celestri animated Boba Fett for his introduction in the Holiday Special, kicking off Star Wars fans’ nearly 50-year fascination with the mysterious bounty hunter. During the May 4th weekend, John shared his experience with more than 150 collectors at the Rogue Fun weekend in Ken…

How did a Boba Fett figure become the first Star Wars toy to publicly cross the half-million dollar threshold?Why was Hasbro’s HasLab announcement delayed?Why is an X-wing in the Smithsonian? How is a decades-old Disney attraction now part of Star Wars canon? Which recent milestone did Lego and Lucasfilm celebrate?And why is a YouTuber’s assessment…

In the Star Wars community, customizers create the action figures that never made it into the Kenner toy line.Ryan Shaw and Gary Ray Weaver are two of the most prolific and talented customizers in the galaxy, and have designed some of the most popular custom figures ever. And during the May 4th weekend, they shared their stories, challenges and bre…

Another FonzCon is coming to a close.It’s Saturday evening at FonzCon 4. But like any FonzCon, the night is still young, and the party continues!Join host David Quinn for part three of a multi-episode series highlighting the unforgettable weekend of FonzCon 4.And in this episode, Fonz completes the tour of his jaw-dropping and storied collection, h…

For children of the 1970s and 80s, the Sears Wish Book was the portal to the latest exciting Kenner Star Wars toy releases.Georgia collector Jerry Hancock, known in collector groups as Ki-Adi Randy, is an expert on the history of Sears, as well as the retail company’s relationship to the Star Wars franchise. And during the May 4th weekend, Jerry sh…

FonzCon 4 is finally here!A FonzCon event is like no other Star Wars meetup in the entire galaxy. And collectors are already planning for the next one.Join host David Quinn for part two of a multi-episode series that explores the unforgettable weekend of this year's FonzCon 4. Celebrate Star Wars and collecting with some of the most passionate and …

Where can you still purchase 1985 POTF action figures for $10???If you were at Syracuse’s ToyFest 5 in April, those were some of the fantastic finds at this vintage and modern trove of Star Wars treasures.ToyFest was one of the exciting stops during the FonzCon 4 weekend, an Empire State Star Wars Collectors Club meetup hosted by Fonz Napolitano. F…

Why did a pair of Jawas sell for $19,000 at Goodwill?Why does the name Beau Willimon give Star Wars fans hope for a future film?And has Disney finally figured out a way to bring Star Wars characters from different eras to its theme parks without destroying canon?Join host David Quinn for a new series that explores Star Wars news from around the gal…

What can collectors expect from the biggest Star Wars event of the year?During the May 4th weekend, more than 150 Star Wars fans and collectors will travel to Kennesaw, Georgia for a once-in-a-lifetime gathering: the incredible Rogue Fun weekend. Join host David Quinn for part two of a conversation about the making of Rogue Fun, with three members …

The year’s biggest Star Wars event is coming to the Peach State.In a year without a Star Wars Celebration convention, the Georgia Alliance of Star Wars Collectors (GASWC) is busy creating a vintage and modern collector’s dream event. During the May 4th weekend, more than 150 passionate Star Wars collectors will travel to Kennesaw, Georgia for three…

The Battle of Hoth returned...to Redditch?For a weekend in April, Star Wars fans and collectors from around the world traveled to the English town for the premier Star Wars-themed convention: ECHO BASE LIVE: Battle of Hoth.Featuring actors from the original trilogy, a parade of cosplayers, and more than 250 booths filled with some of the best Kenne…

ToyCon NJ has been a true treasure trove for Star Wars collectibles.In 2014, the first ToyCon NJ toy show premiered in Parsippany, New Jersey. And for a decade, it has offered collectors a chance to bring home some of the best Star Wars memorabilia in the galaxy. But for many, ToyCon has become more than a mere toy show. It is also a destination fo…

How much did an original C-3PO head sell for??How did vintage Kenner figures fare at the recent Hakes catalog auction, and why did a carded General Madine sell for $42,000?Why is Daisy Ridley reticent about returning as Rey? What does Hayden Christensen have to say about his time as Anakin Skywalker? And somehow, Rogue Squadron returns?Join host Da…

Do you ever feel like the collecting world is too crowded and too expensive?Are all of the desirable prototypes and production pieces locked away in others’ collections?Are there any areas in the hobby that feature a wider availability at great prices, less competition, and a similar connection?And can you get there before the spotlight catches up?…

Are fake Star Wars posters flooding the hobby?What is the difference between a regular poster and an incredibly rare pre-production example?And why is the poster community so meaningful and connective?Join host David Quinn for part two of a poster collectors roundtable with three of the most knowledgeable collectors in the galaxy: Danny Katzel, Ton…

A poster is so much more than an image on paper.And for Star Wars fans around the globe, these images are forever connected to our experiences seeing the films and series at home, at conventions and in theaters. Join host David Quinn for part one of a poster collectors roundtable with three of the most knowledgeable collectors in the galaxy: Danny …

Another toy show season begins with a return to Pennsylvania’s ZOLOCON. And this year’s show may have been the most special one yet.Held in a former NASA centrifuge, ZOLOCON offers a fantastic mix of epic vintage and modern Star Wars memorabilia each year. Join host David Quinn as he reunites with collectors and members from the regional Star Wars …

A $76,000 Double Telescoping Obi-Wan.A $50,000 carded Luke Skywalker.A Kenner collection totaling more than 700 pieces.And the inaugural auction that impacted the trajectory of Star Wars memorabilia.Join host David Quinn for a look back at the November 2017 Hake’s auction, showcasing some of the rarest and highest-graded Star Wars items belonging t…

The Lucasfilm film slate is uncertain and messy. Two new series will define this year’s Star Wars storytelling. The relationship between Hasbro and collectors is slowly fracturing.It’s a year without a Celebration convention.And it’s up to the Star Wars community to make its mark on 2024.Join host David Quinn as he explores the current state of Sta…

The second half of 2023 was truly epic.Star Wars fans returned to the Toys For the Ages Expo in the summer, to the Xenia and Cincinnati toy shows in the fall, and to ToyCon NJ in the winter. Hasbro announced its latest HasLab project, the AHSOKA live-action series premiered, and The Clone Wars celebrated its 15th anniversary. Collectors told the ta…

2023 delivered so many unforgettable Star Wars and collector memories.Remember the Pennsylvania auction featuring 450 Kenner carded figures, including five double-telescoping Luke Skywalkers?How about Star Wars Celebration London? Or the 40th anniversary of The Clone Wars, and the 20th anniversary of the Washington DC Collecting Club?And don’t forg…

What were some of the best Star Wars-related moments of 2023?Join host David Quinn for part two of a year-end wrap-up series in which fans and collectors reflect on the memorable acquisitions and unforgettable experiences that landed on their 2023 highlight reels.Hear the tales of trips to Celebration London and Galaxy’s Edge at the Disney parks, r…

Which special items did our friends and fellow Star Wars collectors add to their collections this year?Join host David Quinn for part one of a year-end wrap-up series in which collectors reflect on the memorable acquisitions and experiences that made their 2023 highlight reels. Hear the firsthand accounts of the exciting and momentous finds, purcha…

It’s the end of another epic toy show season.The last visit to ToyCon NJ, one of New Jersey’s largest and most beloved toy shows, highlighted some important trends within the world of Star Wars and collecting.But have these trends continued, or are new ones emerging? And where is the hobby headed in the new year?Join host David Quinn for the final …

Are you ready to become a collecting Jedi Master?Throughout the years, our experiences as Star Wars collectors have blessed us with Yoda-sized bits of wisdom. And our connections to one another within the Star Wars community help us to learn together, and to guide one another to become more patient, more informed and more passionate about collectin…

How does a Star Wars meetup become a holiday tradition?Every year, Pennsylvanian collector Mike De Stefano hosts Sithmas, a weekend event that celebrates Star Wars and the holidays.The weekend kicks off with a Friday night meal, followed by Saturday’s main event. The day is packed with festivities - from a White Wampa gift exchange to a special din…

Do you want to explore one of the greatest Star Wars collections ever assembled?Over more than three decades, longtime collector and writer Ron Salvatore has uncovered new information about the vintage toys and memorabilia from a galaxy far, far away.And along the way, he acquired a monumental collection of some of the rarest and most important pie…

Over the years, the Cincinnati Toy Show weekend has become a staple for Star Wars fans and Kenner collectors.The weekend has consistently offered a wide variety of memorable activities. Attendees dine together, tour collections at friends’ homes, and buy and sell rare and desirable figures and prototypes at room sales and the Sunday toy show. But w…

This summer, Tad Moore decided to part with his massive Star Wars collection after 30 years. In the previous episode, Tad gave Star Wars fans insight into why he decided to walk away from the hobby he loved. Now, it is time to sell everything.But before the first items from Tad’s collection hit Hake’s Auctions later this month, he shares the fascin…

After 30 years of collecting, why would someone walk away from the hobby they loved?The answer may surprise you. On August 11, longtime collector Tad Moore announced he had decided to stop collecting comics and Star Wars memorabilia. He had consigned his collection to Hake’s Auctions, an auction house that would integrate his 500+ carded vintage St…