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The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Reviewed

Posted by Chris on March 29, 2023 at 09:16 PM CST


On November 5th, 2020, a new book project was launched on Kickstarter.com. The campaign was beautifully presented and, if the end result was going to be half as good as what it appeared to be, Star Wars collectors were in for a real treat.

On December 20th, 2020, the campaign ended fully funded with 995 backers, crushing the original goal of raising Ł127,000. The title of the book was the Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) and it was being produced by Gianni Venturini & Greg Armstrong of Read Five Designs Ltd.

With the project a go, they set to work on writing one of the most comprehensive guides to vintage Star Wars action figures ever created.

In November of 2022, nearly 2,000 books arrived from the factory and they began the process of applying the dust jacket covers, signing them, packing them, etc. Shipping completed in early February of 2023, so at this point, everyone that backed the project should have their copy.



The book boasts an astounding 530+ pages and weighs in at a full 10 pounds. As you can see in the shot above, placed next to a standard hardcover Star Wars novel, it's massive and sits on the shelf at 15 1/4" tall x 12 1/4" wide x 1 3/4" thick.





The layout is easy to read and understand. It's broken down into various sections including a brief history of Kenner, Card Fronts, Card Backs, all of the different Waves, Variations, Multi-Packs, Baggies and Mail Order, Coins, and Proof Cards.





It also includes highly detailed photographs of each and every Kenner figure, accessory & card back, numerous gate-folds, a bonus Large Size Action figure section, sticker sheets with non-existing carded figures pictured so you can add to your own book should any of them ever surface, and so much more. Depending on which level you pledged at, there were multiple dust jacket covers available too, and they are all beautiful. Each one is embossed with stunning Star Wars themed art which is also featured on the front of the actual book too. Everything about this just screams high quality and you truly see that with the turn of each page.

Gianni & Greg have put together a super special look at one of the most beloved toy lines to ever see production and they are to be congratulated for their efforts to get this written & produced.

For anyone that missed out on getting a copy for their collection, fear not! A second printing is in the works and there is a waitlist that you can join right here.

We also can't wait to see what they have in store for Volume Two. Looking at the short preview pages near the back of Volume One, vehicles & playsets are a certainty. Stay tuned for further details as they are announced.


Related Stories:

The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Book Backing Deadline Approaching
The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Book Coming Soon


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