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This is a never produced prototype for a Luke Skywalker sculpture by Kenner for their Cinemacast product line. A matching Darth Vader sculpture was produced that would have paired with this piece.
Rancho Obi-Wan is one of the very few places people can actually see this great representation of Luke now.
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Do you remember the Star Wars 3D Sculpture puzzles that were briefly popular in the late 1990s? We are fortunate to have the gray head prototypes of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Podracer Anakin prototypes in our museum collection!
These puzzle prototypes were sent to Lucasfilm Licensing for product approvals.
The pieces of each puzzle, on thin cardboard, had to be pushed out of their respective sheets and then stacked in proper order atop a thin plastic spindle attached to a plastic base. The pieces had small numbers on them (not in order of what needed to be stacked next) and a cheat sheet was included in the box for weary solvers.
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The Lili Ledy Star Wars action figure line from Mexico have unique features that make them interesting for collectors, and we were very interested to find out if this Darth Vader Lili Ledy Figure Card was a rare find or a reproduction?
We had to do quite a bit of research on this Darth Vader Lili Ledy figure card. If it were the genuine article, it would have been an extremely rare and coveted card. However, we determined that it is a reproduction. It is still a very nice reproduction and we are happy to have it in our museum!
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I got an invitation to visit Creature Features and share Rancho Obi-Wan with the denizens of one of the longest-running media enterprises in the San Francisco Bay area—and nationwide. Originally shown on local TV stations from the 1960s to the 1980s, Creature Features is now online, showing an often-cheesy cult Sci-Fi or Horror movie every week.
The real treat of shows like this (I grew up in Philadelphia watching Shock Theater with host Zacherle covered in shoe-polish makeup) is watching the hosts interrupt the movies with remarks dripping with sarcasm or puns. The latest version of Creature Features is hosted by former heavy metal musician Vincent Van Dahl from the “haunted and historic Poulter Manor in Bodega Bay, California.”
Vincent is joined every week by his very peculiar housemate Tangella and his loyal valet Mr. Livingston. But we got an unusual request. Could Tangella visit Rancho in advance to record a quick walk-through, which would be shown during the course of the movie? Of course we said yes!
You can watch her four-minute escapade here!
When I arrived at “Poulter Manor” I was escorted into a large and creepy room, and was greeted by Vincent, Tangella and Mr. Livingston. Everyone was very friendly and the movie screening on that show was a 1979 Italian psychotic nightmare called Star Odyssey, a dreadful attempt to recreate some of the thrills of Star Wars. About all I can remember are a pair of lovey-dovey male and female duck-faced metallic robots. Oh. There were also cardboard laser swords covered with fluorescent paint.
In between the movie bits, which Vincent had great delight making fun of, we chatted about Rancho and other world-shaking issues. You can watch the movie and our chat!
After we recorded the show, I had more of a look around “Poulter Manor” (see the assorted oddities, portrait gallery and pipe organ photos below!) Then we all settled in for a tasty Italian dinner and great conversation.
Now I’ve got to see if I can convince a friendly R2-D2 Builder to create a duck-faced cyborg!
Steve Sansweet is owner and Executive Chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, former Head of Fan Relations at Lucasfilm and contributor to StarWars.com, and previously the longest-running Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal in Los Angeles.
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In early 2007 Abrams approached Lucasfilm for Steve Sansweet to write a “365 days of collectibles” type book. Using the photos taken by Alex Ivanov as a foundation talks began on how the book would look. Eventually the project was to mimic the book Rolling Stone 1,000 Covers: A History of the Most Influential Magazine in Pop Culture.
Continue reading “Inspired by the Force: 1,000 Collectibles”
The Sith may have a rule of two, but this folded card stock Darth Maul head is one-of-a-kind Star Wars collectible!
In 1999, Paper artist Eric Ward created the card stock buildable droids for DK Books store displays and for sale by Advanced Graphics. This was a prototype for a never-made full-body Darth Maul.
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I recently had the tremendous honor of representing Rancho Obi-Wan on Star Wars Day, by throwing out the ceremonial First Pitch before the baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, on the field at 24 Willie Mays Plaza in San Francisco on 9/4/22. Made it to The Show! Got a Major League cup of coffee. I was THRILLED to be there (and threw a strike)!
It was very fun and inspiring to bring the Rancho Obi-Wan experience to the ballpark on a glorious, sunny day by the bay at McCovey Cove. ROW has participated in several Star Wars Day events in recent years. It’s been successful and rewarding because of the high spirit of collaboration amongst our staff and volunteers, and SF Giants promotions group. This year was fabulous in every way.
Pre-game festivities for special event ticket holders included food, drink, an Orange (or black) Funko C-3PO and other schwag, and a rare outing with Jabba The Hutt! We schlepped Jabba from his palace on the ranch, and set him up with grand style in Triples Alley between the outfield and the water! Raffles of some cool items raised money to support Rancho Obi-Wan’s mission, including original art created on site by Randy Martinez.
I left Triples Alley early, along with my son Ian, ROW photographer Victoria Webb, and the “Play Ball Kids” – Kylie and Kaden with dads Brian and Dwayne, to be escorted to the field. The journey included several ‘hurry up and wait” stops along the way, in hallways, green rooms, “The Tunnel” and on the field. We were joined by a colorful galaxy full of costumed troopers, cosplayers and super fans. The force was strong, but my stomach was a little nervous while waiting around in anticipation. But I was confident and well prepared, because I threw bullpen sessions on Friday and Saturday with Scott Ruether and Marc Morita. Thanks for catching me, bros!
On the field, there was a flurry of activity and stimulus. A 12-year-old girl sang a stunningly great version of the national anthem, and then I walked confidently to the pitcher’s mound, escorted by Rey, Obi-Wan and Anakin. After being introduced by long time Giants PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon, all the fanfare and energy of the crowd faded into the background. When it finally was time to throw the pitch, my focus was 100% on the catcher (coach Taira Uematsu). I hit the glove. A magnificent 4-seam fastball, topping out at 45-50 mph, then sinking in for a strike at the knees!
My work was done, along with my 15 minutes of fame, and it was time to relax and enjoy the game in a suite shared by Rancho Obi-Wan and Skywalker Vineyards. Positive energy and awesome company everywhere. To top off an already wonderful, exciting day, the Giants won the game and the weekend series sweep, with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. And the crowd went wild!
All this awesomeness happens because of the incredible synergy we have in the Rancho Obi-Wan community of friends and family. We have the kindest, most talented and dedicated crew, and a very supportive global membership to make all this fun possible. On behalf of Anne and Steve, I want thank you all for your friendship, inspiration and support.
MTFBWY and Play Ball!
Stewart Levy is Manager of Randomness at Rancho Obi-Wan with many roles: debris-man, writer, editor, shipping and receiving, bartender, greeter, advisor, mover, and more.
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Join us for The Saga Museum Vol. 1: A Rancho Obi-Wan Fundraiser event this Saturday, August 20th at 4PM/PT. We will be streaming live on the Rancho Obi-Wan Facebook page and featuring a deep dive into portions of the Star Wars collections of Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, Duncan Jenkins and Vic Wertz and Lisa Stevens.
*If you miss out on Saturday, we will be streaming Vol. 1 again on Sunday, August 21st at 11AM/PT!
We will be sharing up close and personal looks at each of these incredible Star Wars collections. You’ll see some of the most renowned one-of-a-kind props, rare action figures, special LEGO pieces, and hear details and stories from each of the collectors.
Here are a few sneak peek photos of what’s to come in The Saga Museum Vol. 1!
We hope you can join us and appreciate your support of our ongoing mission to inspire!
We found a few fun photos from Star Wars Celebration Europe 2013 and 2016 and wanted to share!
We were thrilled to be able to bring The Rancho Obi-Wan Experience to Europe for Star Wars fans to enjoy.
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Rancho Obi-Wan docent, Marc Morita, told a very special Star Wars story on May 4th, 2022. We are thankful to Marc for sharing.
You’ll see a lot of Star Wars posts today, and I’m hoping you’ll read this one, too. It’ll make you feel good.
Here’s a Star Wars story. Dwayne Smith is someone who has helped me a ton in the world of my Star Wars fandom. He’s super knowledgeable about the history of the films, the collecting that goes with it, and also the fabrication and design of costumes. He is a tremendous friend to boot.
He pretty much put together my stormtrooper kit at no charge.
As a way to say thank you, I invited Dwayne to come along with me to Disneyland. It was a great time had by all. Dwayne is one of those guys who always feels the need to pay it forward, and he asked how he could repay me. I obviously refused because sometimes you just need to give a gift to say thanks.
He wasn’t happy about that response, so I said, “Just make a small contribution to Rancho Obi-Wan, in my mom’s name, and we’ll call it good.”
So on Saturday, Dwayne and a bunch of other friends gathered at Rancho to prepare for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022, and he presents a perfect Bo-Katan helmet from The Mandalorian to Stephen J. Sansweet and Anne Neumann, which he dedicated to my mom, Helen Morita.
Marc Morita is a Rancho Obi-Wan docent and LEGO expert. His current focus is building custom multi-colored versions of Imperial vehicles. In his other life he is a teacher in Napa County with a beautiful daughter and a Basset Hound named Biggs.