A Guide to books about Star Wars Collectibles

STAR WARS: From Concept to Screen to Collectible

This is one of the main reasons I started to collect vintage Star Wars toys in the mid 90’s and later began to collect prototypes. Sold out since many years ago, and despite being released already 1992 it is still a must to have in your library!

The first illustrated Star Wars book to feature the multitude of merchandising spin-offs generated by the film—and the only one that traces the transformation of the movie's fabulous characters, creatures, and vehicles from original concepts and prototypes into toys, clothing, and dozens of other objects—this spectacular volume is a veritable Star Wars fan's bible. A complete overview of a modern marketing extravaganza, featuring more than 150 full-color images of collectible items, the book takes readers behind the scenes and includes many never-before-published sketches and photographs from the Lucasfilm and Kenner toy archives. A lively text featuring recent interviews with George Lucas, among others connected with the film, completes this intriguing and fascinating glimpse into one of popular culture's most engaging phenomena.

STAR WARS VINTAGE ACTION FIGURES

This is THE Star Wars action figure bible and I don’t think it need more introduction than that! Unfortunately sold out since many years and command a high price on the secondry market. But it is still worth every penny imo.

John was a pioneer in so many ways, as a collector but also a shelf publisher and inspired many others (myself included) to make and publish niched books. Unfortunately John passed away early 2021, I had the honor of meeting him a couple of times and he was such great man. Thanks for everything John. I could go on forever, but Ron Salvatore wrote about his passing so well. Read about it here:
http://blog.theswca.com/2021/05/john-kellerman.html

Gus & Duncan’s Guide to Star Wars Prototypes

Gus and Duncan's Guide to Star Wars Prototypes is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the most successful movie toy license of all time: the Kenner Star Wars line. With hundreds of photographs of vintage toy prototypes, this book gives details on many one-of-a-kind items found nowhere else. The familiar toys that were loved by an entire generation are presented here in various stages of pre-production along with many never-released toys that few people even knew existed. Collectors and fans will marvel at the skill and artistry that went into producing their favorite Star Wars toys. Design by Mattias Rendahl.

Buy it here today:
http://theswca.com/completists/

COINING A GALAXY - A Guide to Kenner’s Star Wars Coins

This fantastic little book explores the phenomenon of Kenner’s Vintage POWER OF THE FORCE, DROIDS and EWOKS Star Wars Collector coins. From their concept and creation to their circulation and their untimely cancellation. Including a Coin Gallery depicting every known Kenner Star Wars Collector Coin, classified according to rarity, with pre-production and unreleased coins etc. Great design by Jeff Correll.

Book is sold out but have a look on the secondry market, here for an example:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/253237928054229

KENNER STAR WARS PACKAGING DESIGN 1977-1979 (A New Proof), 1980-1982 (The Cromalin Strikes Back)

The Kenner Star Wars packaging Design books series are available in 2 different volumes (volume 3 and 4 is coming).

The books spotlightsvintage Star Wars action figure packaging design through the Star Wars and the Empire Strikes Back years. Explore insights into how proof cards were used at Kenner, a step by step guide to the action figure blistercard creation process, comprehensive checklists and explanations of known proof cards and Cromalins, along with former Kenner employee interviews and much more. Discover the pre-digital, old-school era of design that drove Kenner’s ground breaking toyline, and helped make it such a pivotal part of our pop culture world.

BUY “A NEW PROOF TODAY”:
https://www.dearpublications.se/books/p/stanton-recipes-ed-1-bmy2y-8g6rd

BUY “THE CROMALIN STRIKES BACK” TODAY:
https://www.dearpublications.se/books/p/stanton-recipes-ed-1-bmy2y

MECCANO to TRILOGO - French to European Vintage Star Wars Action Figure Toys

Stephanes first book (out of many). This book is dedicated to Star Wars action figure toys from the elusive French Meccano line to the European Trilogo line. besides the toys it also features advertisements, toy instuctions, retailer catalogs and much more). More than 500 illustrated and explained pictures within 144 full color pages.

Check out all his books here:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Stephane-Faucourt/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AStephane+Faucourt

STAR WARS Objets du Mythe

Super collector Arnaud Grunberg has assembled some (but yet crazy many) of his favorite collectibles in one of the nicest looking books out there. Props, toy prototypes, sketches, posters, art etc etc. An incredible selection of many never seen before items. It is only available in French, but it doesnt matter if you understand it or not, the beautiful pictures speak for themself.

Available in most online book stores worldwide.
http://theswca.com/completists/

Gus & Duncan’s Comprehensive Guide to Star Wars Collectibles

Comprehensive indeed! This is the biggest book of them all and THE checklist for all focus collectors, niched collectors or people who collect stuff from specific countries etc etc. An incredible resource. The largest and most complete guide on Star Wars memorabilia ever assembled, covering over 75,000 unique SW collectibles and over 36,000 photos.

Buy their books here:
http://theswca.com/completists/

Engineering an Empire - The creators of Kenner’s Star Wars Toys

Gary, Matt and Stephen have meet most of the former Kenner employee’s that created the toys we all love. This book features interviews with the key persons with lots of awesome images from back in the day, rare prototype toys and much more.

Order your copy here:

https://engineeringanempirebook.com

THE MAN WHO SHOT LUKE SKYWALKER - Kenner Star Wars Photography 1977-1979

Kim D Simmons aka “The Man Who Shot Luke Skywalker” took over Roy Frankenfilelds studio in the early 80’s and became the main Kenner photographer for many years. This is his first book in a series of three, and this was written by Ben Sheenan and has some great stories from former Kenner employee’s, and of course fantastic old toy photographies.

Read more about these books and buy prints from Kim here:
http://www.themanwhoshotlukeskywalker.com

Star Wars Poster Book

One of the nicest looking and best books out there! Steve and Pete joins forces and publish a book with 350 of the best Star Wars posters out there. Some instantly recognizable, others delightfully obscure.

Buy it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Poster-Book/dp/0811848833

Gus & Duncan’s Guide to Star Wars MICRO COLLECTION Toys

The first and only book on Kenner’s Star Wars Micro Collection! Gus and Duncan present the full range of the Star Wars Micro Collection toys, including the entire product line sold in the US, Canada, and Australia in the early 1980’s, and prototypes from each stage of the design and development. This guide showcases many one-of-a-kind pieces from the Micro line, dozens of unreleased product concepts, and unusual Micro Collection items such as mail away premiums, point of sale signage, and Toy Fair displays. Designed by Mattias Rendahl.

It can only be purchased here:
https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=16536868&page=1&pageSize=4

PBP/Poch Made in Spain Comprehensive Catalog Volume I & II

Collector and author Javier has released a series about Spanish collectibles, volume I and II are out and soon volume III is out as well. These books are devoted to the loose and carded action figures, vehicles and playsets available (and sometimes exclusivly made) in Spain. The interview in Volume I with the former PBP Operation Director alone is worth buying it for. Plus with a great design by José M Arosa.

Contact Javier via Facebook to buy your copy:
https://www.facebook.com/STAR-WARS-PBPPoch-Comprehensive-Catalog-1396708397293772/

IRWIN TOYS: The Canadian Star Wars Connection

The first niched books about collectibles, it details uniquely canadian Star Wars toys. This book was released back in 2000 and is since long sold out (but can be found on eBay or Amazon on the secondary market). Many new Canadian items have since been discovered, but is still the best (and only) Canadian resource in printed form out there. And the historical statements and stories from Mr Mac Irwin himself is the maple syryp on the cake…

COMING! Far Far Away - A Guide to Unlicensed Vintage Polish Star Wars Figures