Plush toys were some of the first licensed Star Wars merchandise, pre-dating even the 3 3/4" figures that everyone thinks about nowadays as "Star Wars toys." Kenner was the licensee for the original US line, producing a
plush Chewbacca and R2-D2. But up here in Canada the Toronto-based Regal Toy Limited obtained a licence to make Star Wars plush and
wow did they ever!
In addition to the Chewbacca in the link, Regal made an R2-D2 plush, as well as the subject of this post, the unique Jawa plush. This was a Regal-Toy-only piece distributed only in Canada, which makes it somewhat of a rarity. It's dressed in a brown cloth robe.
Unfortunately the example I have lost its tag at some point in the past - the remnants are just visible at 5 o'clock on the base of the plush, above. But this is a genuine Regal Jawa, despite the toy having been reproduced for sale in the Disney store. Originals can be discerned by the squeaker in the left hand and the bandoliers - more on which below.
The example I own came with the original waist pouch but only one bandolier strap. The ones shown above were made by me for display and cannot be mistaken for original by anyone who knows the toy (or reads this post). The originals are made of a very thin vinyl that is remarkably difficult to find nowadays, more detail on the one survivor below...
Here's the one original bandolier strap that came with the toy. It's 7/8" wide and measures about 21" long. How do I know it's original?
Other than the thin vinyl material, this is the telltale - the "RAU CANADA" snap fastener. Rau was an American fastener company famous for its "Klikit" snap fasteners, which were widely used on Western style shirts and other apparel as well as doll clothes. Rau Canada was apparently acquired by Scovill in 1996 and the presence of original Rau fasteners helps in authenticating these bandoliers.
The other side of the fastener has "RAU / K.L.I.K.I.T." embossed. You can't just go down to your local Fabricland and buy these fasteners like I did with the snaps I used on my new ones. As far as authenticity I would say that if your Jawa bandolier doesn't have a Rau Canada "Klikit" fastener it probably ain't genuine.
The Jawa's ammunition pouch? kit bag? purse? is another unique part of the Regal toy - although a version was also made for the modern Disney Jawa plush. It's a piece of fabric-backed vinyl cut to shape, folded and stitched up along the sides.
The flap folds over and slips into a double-slitted slot (say that five times quickly).
Closeup of the fabric backing on the vinyl pouch.
Lastly, the other hallmark is the squeaker! Fortunately, the one in my Jawa still works!
So that's the infamous Regal Toy Jawa. I'm very happy to have it in my collection as it's a pretty rare piece of early Star Wars toy history, and Canadian to boot! My next task with this one is to continue the search for vinyl to match the original bandolier and make a display copy with modern snaps, marked as a reproduction naturally. But that will make for a better display than the two "kinda close" bandolier straps I have on the toy right now. Not that they don't look good, but an original-looking pair would be better.
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| Regal Toy friends |
So until next time... Utini!
