Seeking Collectible Editions from a Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
- by Renee Roberts
Cover for Star Wars #1 (July 1977). Art by Howard Chaykin and Tom Palmer.
Just before the movie was released, Marvel Comics released a comic book, also in 1977.
The most valuable of the comic books is the $.35 test issue. There were also some pre-opening articles in movie magazines and a 2-page article in Time naming Star Wars the best movie of the year.
This was the beginning of a very highly profitable tsunami of licensed products, in which book releases were buried. Lucas licensed vast numbers of action figures, ceramics, clothing accessories, coins, more comics, toys, die cast models, dolls, electronic games and toys, food collectibles, games and puzzles, bathroom items including soaps, personal grooming tools and bubble baths, lip balm, towels, bedding, sleeping bags, nightlights, cake decorating kits, paper tissues, straws, cork boards, drapery bookcases, rugs, party supplies, masks and costumes, make-up kits, micro figures and vehicles, micromachines, model kits, lego systems, bookmarks, bookplates, calendars, greeting cards, magazines, posters, postcards, portfolios and blueprints, radio adaptations, film frames, photographs, role play toys, school supplies, lunch boxes, 3-D magnets, porcelain busts, trading cards, and wall art. It would be an interesting exercise to imagine the same vast quantity of products related to some other works, like the Codex Seraphinianus.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Ellis Smith Prints unsigned. 20” by 16”.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: United typothetae of America presidents. Pictures of 37 UTA presidents 46th annual convention United typothetae of America Cincinnati 1932.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec signed Paper Impressionism Art Prints. MayMilton 9 1/2” by 13” Reine de Joie 9 1/2” by 13”.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Aberle’ Ballet editions. 108th triumph, American season spring and summer 1944.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Puss ‘n Boots. 1994 Charles Perrult All four are signed by Andreas Deja
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Specimen book of type faces. Job composition department, Philadelphia gazette publishing company .
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: An exhibit of printed books, Bridwell library.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur Court By Mark Twain 1889.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 1963 Philadelphia Eagles official program.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 8 - Esquire the magazine for men 1954.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: The American printer, July 1910.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Leaves of grass 1855 by Walt Whitman.
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare. The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare, 1960. 7,210 USD
Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol, First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD
Sotheby’s: William Golding. Lord of the Flies, First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD
Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit, First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD
Sotheby’s: John Milton. Paradise Lost, 1759. 5,400 USD
