In this blog entry I'll talk a bit about my 'SW'-room. You see, I'm not just interested in source information; merchandise is also a part of my 'SW'-affection.

It all started when my parents bought me 4 Vintage figures (I could choose them) when I saw 'ANH' and 'TESB' in theatres around '80 / '81. I picked Han Bespin, Chewie, Tusken Raider and Ben Kenobi. I played so much with them that they soon decided to get me more. Around '85 I had most of the Vintage items that were released in Belgium (I had never heard of a Shuttle being made into a toy back then). I took a photo of my SW stuff in 1985. You can see here what it looked like back then.

At the end of the '80 I started to search for everything with 'SW' on it. 'SW' had finally conquered He-Man as my prime interest (I still like MotU though) and that interest got a serious boost when I discovered the West End Games sourcebooks (and thus started my Source interest as well). In the mid '90's I met Yves De Meyer who had a lot of contacts to get Vintage toys I thought that were gone forever. Since then I've never stopped collecting, surely when Hasbro started to make new figures.

But since I'm not a millionaire and I have a life outside 'SW' (yeah) I had to decide what to collect. Besides non-fiction books I really follow Hasbro 3" ¾ figures, creatures, sets, vehicles, etc (as long as they are new, no remakes). I'm also very interested in Vintage (Kenner) stuff and pre-modern (before 1995) stuff. Gentle Giant is also a very interesting series that I follow with care (I don't get everything though). The Sideshow 12" dolls are a great new addition as well.

I'm lucky to have a large room (it will get worse if I move). There used to be a lot of other toys in it. My room gradually evolved from two racks and a chest with paperwork into a full room. This happened clockwise and grew larger and larger. Someday I hope to present my items in a very decent way in a decorative room (don't mind the wallpaper, the walls were never redecorated since 1981). My room is now filled with defunct tables and closets in different styles and colors.

As you can see I don't care for keeping stuff in the box or figures on cards. Normally, I get every item out of its package. The only figures I keep carded are Vintage ones (my series is complete) and some double modern figures. Don't collect for the money, collect for the fun and because you like an item.

I have posted pictures of my current room on this address, so I invite you to take a look for yourself: Star Wars Room

Always in motion is the future:
Last Update 17 August 2006

Things you'll find in the pictures:
# Sideshow 12": These look to be fine additions for any collection
# Hasbro 12": I was rather picky with the Hasbro 12". Some of them were good others were terrible. The last ones (Barriss, Shaak Ti), were more than okay.
# Magazines (UK Magazine, Insider, misc.)
# Comics (Marvels, Dark Horse): I've always enjoyed reading comics. I have the Marvels in Dutch. I stopped reading comics for awhile, but right before 'AotC' I started to buy them again.
# Trading cards: I don't have that many Trading Cards, since they are not anymore one of my prime interests.
# CCG Decipher cards: I never played / understood the game, but boy did they give a lot of characters their name!
# Vintage Paperwork Kenner: Instruction sheets, posters, booklets, etc...
# Vintage Boardgames
# Hasbro Unleashed: This is a great line, but they do take a lot of space
# Hasbro Unleashed Packs: I like this spin-off series as well. It reminds me of the Micro Collection line.
# West End Games Miniatures / Boardgames: Besides books, WEG also produced splendid miniatures and boardgames.
# Vintage Kenner Toys: I grew up with these toys. Figures, carded figures, ships, vehicles, 12" dolls, Diecast series, weapons, collector cases. I also start to buy more Vintage Carded figures because they are so beautiful and artisan compared to the carded new figures.
# Hasbro Classics: At first I hesitated to buy everything of the new series, but at a moment I realised I had all the 20 new figures, so I decided to follow them as well. I don't do repacks.
# Hasbro Prequels: New toys ...
# Novels: All post 'RotJ' stuff has moved to a closed closet since I stopped reading those many years ago. I do read novels that take place before or between movies.
# Non-Fiction Books: I'm really interested in West End Games, Wizards of the Coast, DK, Chronicle Books, Del Rey, etc...: Sourcebooks, Art Books, Making of, Storybooks, etc...
# Complete UK Fact Files Set: It sure wasn't cheap, but it's a nice collection. It's a shame there never were any pages of 'RotS'.
# Modelkits: I used to buy a lot of modelkits, but the only sets I still like are the diorama sets like the Cantina, Jabba's Palace, Yoda's hut, etc...
# Wizards of the Coast Miniatures: Some of the characters are great and the mix of characters is nice.
# Lego: I never had many Lego sets when I was a kid, so the 'SW'-series never really interested me as much as Hasbro.
# Gentle Giant: This has been a great addition as well to the collection community. I follow the small bust-ups, get a few mini-busts and Animated Statues.
# Vintage Kenner Micro Collection: This is a line that I've always loved very much. I first saw it in a 'TESB' Vintage Kenner booklet and I was able to get them many years later, but they are still great today. It's a pity, the series stopped so soon. They had so many great sets in petto.
# Standees: Unfortunately they take so much space ...
# Galoob: Micro Machines back from the early and mid '90 ...
# Classic merchandise: Posters, Soundtracks, photos, cereal premiums, autographs. Everyone has some of these ...

This picture was added online with my interview on Star Wars.com

I will continue to update the pictures as frequently as I can.