French Meccano ROTJ Boba Fett

One of the rarest carded Boba Fett on a french ROTJ Meccano backcard. The figure is the light blue Tri-Logo variation.

Rebel Commando First Shot Prototype Mock up

Unique Rebel Commando first shot figure mounted to an original ESB 48 C back Lando Calrissian cardback.

Trilogo Y-Wing Fighter

This is, until now, the only known example of a Y-Wing Fighter in "real" Tri-Logo packaging.

Not to confuse with the usual Bi-Logo packaging (see lower comparison shots of the two packaging variations). There´s is also a Tri-Logo X-Wing known to exist.

Photos courtesy of Stephane Faucourt

German shrinkwrapped Landspeeder

In germany the Landspeeder was partially sold shrinkwrapped. This example still has the german price sticker affixed (37,50 DM/ german marks).

Pictures courtesy of catch

The 8th Revenge mock-up

Every serious collector and Star Wars fan knows the story behind the late title change of the third Star Wars movie from Revenge to Return of the Jedi.

At Toy Fair 1983, Kenner showed a bunch of carded Revenge samples. Until now only seven carded examples where known to exist.

A european collector now got a hand on the 8th sample, a FX-7. Unfortunately the bubble and figure are missing.


Pictures courtesy of Mattias Rendahl

Toltoys 12 back C-3PO

This is a rare Australian C-3PO with transitional Toltoys sticker on the front and metric conversation sticker on the back.

Revenge of the Jedi AT-AT proof sheet

Due to the fact that the title of the 6th Episode of Star Wars was changed from "Revenge" to Return of the Jedi, some pre production material was already made and survived. Here we have a proof sheet for the box design of an AT-AT.

1985 Meccano bagged figure promotion

In 1985 French distributor Meccano offered a free bagged figure for every vehicle one bought. The baggies were heatsealed.

Unproduced Kleb Zellock on ROTJ sample card

Unproduced Kleb Zellock from the Droids series on a ROTJ Stormtrooper mock up sample card.

1982 Sears Canada 3-Pack Set

In 1982 Sears Canada offered two 3-Pack Sets. Each set included three regular carded figures. The sets contained at least one new action figure for 1982.

Pictures are courtesy of Scott Bradley.

1981 Simpson Canada 3-Pack Sets

Simpson, another Canadian department store got their own exclusives 3-Packs back in 1981. Regular carded figures (no shrinkwrapped cardbacks) were included.

Pictures are courtesy of Scott Bradley.

1980 Sears Canada 7-Pack Sets

In 1980 Kenner Canada put their ESB overstock figures in these open window boxes and distributed them via Sears. The reverse of the box shows all 5 action figure set, as well as the Turret & Probot playset and a Tauntaun.

4 sets included a shrinkwrapped cardback, see the figure to the right from the front. Obi Wan was on a regular cardback, as he was never available as a shrinkwrapped figure.

Pictures are courtesy of Scott Bradley. Thanks mate.

Canadian ESB Patrol Dewback

Due to the late release of Star Wars in Canada, the Dewback from A New Hope was released in Canada in an ESB box. The first release was a regular Patrol Dewback in ESB packaging. The second release was a Special Offer version that included a Stormtrooper figure. The Special Offer advertisement was printed on the box. The third version of the ESB Patrol Dewback came without the Stormtrooper action figure and the print on the box was covered with a printed black bar.

ESB Hero 3-Pack Engeneering Pilot

Kenner Engineering Pilot of the Heroes Leia Hoth, R2-D2, Luke Hoth ESB 3-Pack. This piece is white with no print on it. It was created to test the dimensions of the box and see how the package design was coming along before production.

Canadian Battle Damaged Tie Fighter

Although the movie title was later changed from "Revenge of the Jedi" to "Return of the Jedi," the Canadian packaging of the Battle Damaged Tie Fighter has a "La Revanche des Jedi" logo.

Revenge of the Jedi Vehicle Maintenance Energizer

Unique Revenge of the Jedi example of this mini rig. It´s not known, if this is a salesman sample or a retail item, that hit a store by accident.

by chewseum.com

ESB ROTJ Canadian Transition Boba Fett

One of the rarest carded Fetts.


by Scott McDonald

Spanish Poch Imperial Tie Fighter

Rare Spanish version of the Imperial Tie Fighter distributed by Poch.

Italian UHU Ewoks Stick

These are Italian Exclusive 2- Packs of an Ewok with a UHU glue stick packed by. It seems some of the figures where packed in baggies before beeing blistered.

Special Offer Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Set

Kenner offered a series of department store exclusive offers on exisiting products. In all 26 different Special Offer pieces were released. This playset is one of the rarest special offer items and came packaged with a free Hoth Stormtrooper figure

Italian Harbert X-Wing

Ultrarare X-Wing packaging by Italian company Harbert. Have a look at the diorama at one of the sideflaps of the box.

by Andy "toxictoyzz"

Tri Logo X - Wing

Although the X-Wing is one of the major vehicles in the vintage Star Wars line, this European Tri Logo packaging is very rare and hard to find. There´s also a Tri-Logo Y-Wing known to exist.

Italian Harbert Jawa (Capo Jawa)

Jawa on a rare Italian Harbert backcard ("Guerre Stallari").

Australian Toltoys Jawa

Rare Australian Toltoys Jawa on a 12 back card.

Mexican Lili Ledy Jawa

Rare carded Jawa from the Mexican distributor Lili Ledy.

Spanish PBP Store Display

Rare Spanish PBP Store Display for ROTJ carded figures.

Canadian Death Star Space Station

The first release Canadian box that the plastic Death Star was packaged in opened like a book from the front of the box as opposed to the two end flaps. The second version box release opened from either end of the box, and was smaller than the first release.

Revenge of the Jedi backcard proofs

Early pre production backcards for the planed Revenge of the Jedi run, which was later on changed to Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars Mini Figure 15 Pack

Star Wars Mini Figure 15 Pack by Sears
























by Andy_R

Blue Snaggletooth First Shot

First Shot of the Sears Exclusive Blue Snaggletooth.

ESB ROTJ Canadian Transition 4-Lom

ESB ROTJ Canadian Transition 4-Lom

Canadian ESB Tie Fighter

Canadian ESB Tief Fighter packaging variation. Watch the black border under the ESB Logo, which does not appear on the regular US box.

by Scott Bradley

ROTJ 2-Pack w/ Klaatu Skiff

Only known ROTJ 2-Pack with a Klaatu Skiff packed by.

Tsukuda carded ROTJ w/ POTF coin

Long after the release of the Return of the Jedi line, Kenner's "Power of the Force" hit the stores in the U.S. Kenner was also promoting a line of plastic coins during this time. Tsukuda began retailing the Kenner line to the Japanese market, but with product not moving off the shelves, they were left with an overstock of Kenner action figures and mail-in coins. One day they decided package them together.

Tsukuda ROTJ Boba Fett w/ POTF coin

One of the rarest carded Boba Fett.

by www.slave1.jp

Palitoy Special offer Cantina playset

The Palitoy version of Kenner´s Cantina playset came bundeled with 4 figures. As was the case with the Sears version, these were Snaggletooth (the later red version), Hammerhead, Walrus Man, and Greedo, who here is referred to as "Green Greedo" for some inexplicable reason.

Canadian Luke Skywalker utility belt

Rare boxed Canadian Luke Skywalker utility belt set.

Sears Canada 3 - Pack

An exclusive to Sears, it gave Kenner Canada's biggest customer a way to market sets of 3 figures. Randomly inserted carded figures were placed in these beautiful shadow boxes and marketed in stores and not through their catalogues.

Canadian Cloud Car w/ 2 figure offer

Usually the Canadian version of the Twin Pod Cloud Car shows up with a figure offer for only one figure, this is the only known example of a two figure offer.

Canadian Special offer Landspeeder

Kenner Canada also released a large number of Special Offers for the Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back line through Sears and Consumer Distributing from 1979-1984, usually pairing figures with unsold stock at discount prices.Sears packaged a Luke Skywalker (original) action figure with the Landspeeder. This offer was available exclusively through the Sears Wishbook during the Christmas 1979 and 1980 seasons.

Canadian ROTJ transition C3PO

This canadian transition C3PO is the only non-removable limb C3PO on a ROTJ backcard.

Image by Womprat.com

AFA U90 Meccano Jawa

One of the more common french Meccano cards, you may think. But this Jawa was graded right out of the original shipping case. One of only a handful graded uncirculated carded vintage Star Wars figures.

Australian 65 back Nien Nunb w/ Nien Numb offer

In the US the Nunb figure offer was available on 48 Back cards, but for some reason there was a delay in bringing the offer to Australia and Canada resulting in the highly amusing Nien Nunb with Nien Nunb offer card. This is the only known sealed example.

Pics by toltoys.com

Tri Logo Jawa

Not as rare as the Tri Logo General Madine, but scarce to find.

12 back double telescoping Ben Kenobi

Less than 10 examples are known worldwide. Kenner moved to a simple one-piece saber before the line even hit store shelves.

Luke X-Wing on POTF Gunner sample card

One of a kind Luke Skywalker X-Wing on a prototype sample POTF Gunner backcard.

Spanish ROTJ Colgate promo toothpaste

Released only in spain during 1983 and 1984, these are the only exisiting images of a ROTJ toothpaste including a vintage figure.

Images by Steve Sansweet
Images courtesy by www.starwarsspanishstuff.info

Canadian shrinkwrapped Han Solo on Dengar card

Back in 1981 and 1982 Sears Canada released 7 shrinkwrapped figures. Those figures were vacuum sealed on blank backcards with no photo. This Han Solo in Cloud City Outfit is one of two known examples on a Dengar card.

Images courtesy by Shane Turgeon

Spanish Bi-Logo Darth Vader Tie Fighter

Often been rumored, now confirmed, is this spanish Bi-Logo Darth Vader Tie Fighter.

courtesy by toxictoys (Andy)

Vinyl Cape Jawa First Shot

The vintage kenner figures were created from an original wax or acetate sculpting and are first reproduced as a hardcopy. From the hard copy, the steel production molds are made and the first figures to be molded are called first shots. First shots can be both painted or unpainted but the defining feature is the lack the copyright markings on the legs.

This vinyl cape Jawa first shot has a handcut cape and is handpainted. Compared to the production jawa the hands are thinner and the bandoleer is much thicker.

Images by Jason West

Luke Stormtrooper on POTF gunner sample card

Rare carded sample of a Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) POTF gunner prototype sample card.

ESB 12 inch Darth Vader (Australia)

The only 12 inch figures released in ESB boxes where Boba Fett and IG-88. Darth Vader in ESB packaging never hit the stores in the US, only some hit the shelves in Australia.

by Bill McBride

Palitoy Bradgate bagged Dengar

This is a Dengar in a rare UK Palitoy Bradgate baggy.



by Billyboy

Carded Revenge of the Jedi samples

First of all, no carded example ever hit the shelves.

Only 7 mock up samples (Cloud Car Pilot, Ben Kenobi, Chewbacca, 4-LOM, 2-1B, Lando Calrissian, and IG-88) are known to exist, which all were Toy Fair samples in February 1983, before the movie was retitled to Return of the Jedi.

UPDATE: another sample popped up

from Paul Levesque

Offerless 48 back 4-Lom

4-LOM figure on Empire Strikes Back 48 back card with no offer is one of the rarest carded production figures from the US Kenner Star Wars line.

Japanese Popy Figures

In 1980 Popy began releasing a Star Wars product line. With the Popy ESB product line measuring about 4.5" high, a new style of packaging was designed for the Star Wars figures. It housed the toys inside a compact box and labeled the product specifically for the Japanese market. The idea of the box packaging is possibly due to how it allowed more merchandise to be displayed in a smaller area. Popy's line of products ended up producing 15 figures at the time for the Empire Strikes Back.

Pictures by Toru Komuro

Vlix (Glasslite Droids)

Vlix is unquestionably the rarest of all commercially released Star Wars action figures. Released solely in Brazil, by Brazilian toy company Glasslite. The character was actually planned for release in the US, as part of the second series of Kenner's Droids toy line; but the line was cancelled before mass-production got underway. Kenner probably then sold some of the tooling they had created for their figures to Glasslite when the Brazilian company acquired a Lucasfilm license in 1988. For whatever reason, Vlix was one of the molds sold to Glasslite, and the rest is history - Vlix was resurrected and enjoyed limited release in South America. The name "Oncard" is an in-joke reference to the fact that the figure is rarest when found "on card."

Rocket Firing Boba Fett proof

This may be one of a kind Boba Fett proof card. This card was supposed to be the backcard of the imfamous rocket firing Boba Fett.

Image comes from Kim Simmons, who did the great photography job on the vintage Kenner and later Hasbro Star Wars items.

Image courtesy of Kim Simmons.

It seems this is the same proof, that was used for the 1979 Toy Fair Mock up. Have a look at the upper part of the mock up card and you´ll notice that the "Caution" line was touched up with black marker.























Photo: Erik Janniche
Item: Robert Levine

Australien Toltoys Special Offer Landspeeder

Australien distributor Toltoys released this Special Offer version of the Landspeeder, including three figures (Luke Skywalker, R2 D2 and C-3PO) opposed to the US version, which has only the two droids included. This has so far been the only Special offer vehicle to be found in a toltoys logo box.

Canadian 20 back Boba Fett

Boba Fett debuted in Canada on a 20 back.

Tri Logo Madine

The european Tri Logo Madine was only sold in france and was factory punched. Surely one of the rarest and most thought after carded Star Wars figure ever produced.

Australien Toltoys ESB Vinyl Cape Jawa

Australien Toltoys ESB Vinyl Cape Jawa. The cape is darker than the US cape and much rarer.

Top Toys Pepsi Lando Calrissian salesman sample

Salesman Sample for a proposed Pepsi Promotion in Argentina.

German Multipacks (Kraft der Macht/ KDM)

Parker and Kenner released different mutlipacks in germany, called "Kraft der Macht" (KDM).

Some of them had Mini Rigs packed by.

Wind up walking R2-D2

One of the rarest licensed carded Star Wars figure.

The Takara R2 came out in Japan in 1978. It was an unlicensed item and later licensed by Kenner. Although it was one of George Lucas favorite items, it was never released in the US.

This wind up R2 was offered in Japan in a baggie and offered on a backcard only in Canada.

Australian collector coin offer

To get overstocked ROTJ figures sold, australien retailers decided to add this yellow coin offer sticker to the carded figures.

The coins were dispatched in "Trivial Pursuit Cards" boxes.

More infos can be found over at toltys.com.































by Toltoys.com

Canadian shrinkwrapped transition R2-D2

The canadian shrinkwrapped carded figures are hard to come by.

But this shrinkwrapped R2-D2 with ROTJ transition sticker is ultrarare.
























by Michael (www.womprat.com)

Kenner Lobby Display

This X-Wing display was once showcased at the Kenner Lobby, Cincinnati.

Harbert ESB Boba Fett

Only known example of a carded italian Harbert Boba Fett. Figure was only available through a special offer.

Revenge of the Jedi Prototype 6-Pack

Prototype of a Revenge (!) of the Jedi 6-Pack, called "Bespin World Set".

German shrinkwrapped Tie Fighter

Shrinkwrapped (no tapeseal !) Tie Fighter which was only available in germany. Also known to exist is a shrinkwrapped Landspeeder.

ESB Meccano Boba Fett

ESB carded french Meccano Boba Fett.

ESB Special Action Display Stand

Special offer Action Display Stand which included the 6 displayed action figures.













Toy Fair Display w/ white sticker mock-up.

Canadian Cloud City playset

Sealed canadian Cloud City playset from 1981. Most noticeable is are the different figures included in the set. It contains Ugnaught, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett. All carded (!), not in baggies as the US version.

Italian ROTJ Store Display

Italian store display for promoting the third movie of the Original Trilogy, showing Jabba´s palace.

Lili Ledy Boba Fett on Tri Logo card

Lili Ledy Boba Fett figure on an european Tri-Logo cardback.
























by Bill Rodgers

Early Bird Pole Display

It all begann with the Early Bird Certificate Package. This pole display promoted it.

For a comprehensive guide to most vintage Star Wars displays have a look at theswca.com.

Obi Wan Kenobi Engineering Pilot Prototype

Early Engineering pilot of Obi Wan Kenobi with a early prototype translucent double telescoping lightsaber and early light brown cape.














































by James Gallo

Italian Tri-Logo 4-Packs

by Bill Rodgers

Sears 9 Figures Mini Set

Canadian Sears Mail order action figure pack.

1 complete set known worldwide.

































by Andrew Boscardin

Sears Special 12 Figures Mini Set

Sears Mail order action figure pack.

3 sets known worldwide.

POTF Boba Fett (Mock up)

One of a kind mock up sample of a Boba Fett action figure on POTF card.

The POTF line ended early with the release of the first wave (Last 17) and this Boba Fett never hit the stores. It´s the only existing example, from the collection of Justin Kerns.

This figure was hand made with a proof card and hand cut bubble. It was used for the 1985 Toy Fair catalog.

The beginning

OK - you may ask, why I choose the name "9 holy grails in a row" for this blog.

In August 2006 I found a pic of a display cabinet at Celebration 3 that showed nine "rocket firing" Boba Fett prototypes in a row.

Fascinated by this pic, I decided to post it in our german Star Wars Collecting forum called "Lichtgeschwindgkeit" and opted for the thread title "9 holy grails in a row".

As time goes by, I added more rare Star Wars collectibles, as other forum members did.

To make these "grails" available and easy to find for other collectors, I start this blog.

As it´s not always possible to verify the actual owner of these items, I´m not able to quote the actual owners of every single piece.

Please leave me a message if I added one of your items (and pic) without quoting your name.