A Different Kind of 12-Back Run

I've never really been a carded figure guy, but I certainly see the appeal. While loose figures are great because you can look at them from all angles and even (gasp) PLAY with them, carded figures hold a different attraction. For me it's mainly the packaging and cardback art, as well as the intricate advertisements ART DIRECTION on display on the backs of the cards.

At one point in my collecting journey I thought it would be cool to have some more MOCs, but to focus that part of the collection in some way... like maybe just stick to a run of 12-backs. HA! I guess if you're prepared to spend $30-50K on a run of 12-backs nowadays, this might be the thing for you... but it ain't for me. That's new-car money.

Which brings me to this alternative - a way to collect 12-backs without mortgaging your home. Just collect the cardbacks themselves! The added bonus is that they are easy to display this way and I think, look rather cool (sorry about the reflections).

The cardbacks are relatively easy to find and as noted, don't cost the Earth either. Most are available for $50 or less and very rarely up to $100. This means a nice run of 12-back cards can be had for well under a thousand bucks, and there's not much you get in 12-back-land for less than that (well maybe - I have another post in the works on that). 

And they're easy to display too. I got these Studio Decor 14x20" float frames at Michaels for $20 each (remember to use your 30% off coupon!) and they fit four cardbacks pretty well perfectly. 

The bonus of a float frame is that you can easily see the backs of the cards as well - just as cool as the fronts!

You'll notice a mix of Canadian and US Kenner cardbacks in this run, which actually reflects my own childhood collecting. While most of my figures were bought here in Canada, some were brought back from the States by my dad (who took summer courses at Purdue University) or were bought there on family vacations.

Six of the Canadian cardbacks were purchased in a lot from my friend Mike's store, 4th Moon Toys, in Toronto, and the Canadian Luke Skywalker cardback came from Ontario buddy Chris P. Thanks guys!

The others came in a lot of two and a lot of three from eBay sellers. The cards are all encased in plastic bags before mounting in the frames as I didn't want the cardboard touching the glass. So now I just have to find some wall space to hang them up.

I really enjoyed putting this run together - it was nice to have a deliberate objective and collecting target to achieve. I think they look pretty cool and are a fun way to feel the 12-back vibe without too outrageous an investment. Perhaps some further targeted card runs are in the future... bounty hunters perhaps - but staying mindful that the Fett Tax is still in effect, even on cardbacks ;-)

Stay safe everyone!

Plush Chewbacca and R2-D2

And now for something completely different... how about these vintage Kenner stuffies? First appearing in the Kenner retailer catalog in 1978, these plush toys were a cuddly way for young fans to express their enthusiasm for Star Wars. 

First up, R2D2... unfortunately, while it was unquestionably hard-wearing, the white cloth used to make R2 tended to stain and over 40 years, well... even after a good wash and spot-cleaning, it's gonna look like a 40-year old stuffie. The toy did have another cool feature though - a "squeaker" that made a noise when you press the red spot on his dome. This one still works!

R2's legs are on plastic swivels, and can turn around.

 

There's also a small velcro patch to keep each leg in place. Unfortunately the Kenner fabric tags are no longer with this piece. R2 is about 10" tall.

 

Isn't Chewbacca cute?? While there have been plenty of plush Chewbaccas over the years, few have come close to the charm of the original. He stands about 20" tall.

Kenner fabric tag is still present on this example...

... as well as the often-missing bandoleer and cartridges. I wanted to show some close-up details here - these three plastic pins hold the bandoleer in place on Chewie's shoulder.

The bandoleer itself is fastened together with a snap.

The bandoleer holds four plastic cartridges. It's not unusual to see tape (or tape residue) on the cartridges, as seen on this example.

"Wookies (sic) need love too!"

 

Thanks to Lantern Lad of the OG13 Forums for the image

Here's the page from the 1978 Kenner retailer catalog featuring the plush toys. They really are super-cute aren't they?

I love these two plush toys as a throwback to the earliest times of Kenner's Star Wars involvement. And the best part about them is that you can still pick them up for relatively little money, if you don't need to have an example with sale tags. Around $50USD should secure a decent complete Chewbacca or a really nice R2. But be sure your Chewie is complete, as the bandoleer was NOT meant to be removable, and they never seem to come up for sale separately!