Camberwick Green – Jigbits

“It’s a quiet afternoon in Camberwick Green and a large group has gathered under the tree….”

Camberwick Green Jigbits 1977

Camberwick Green Jigbits 1977

Camberwick Green is a UK stop motion animation show for children that first aired on BBC1 in 1966.

Today’s toy spotlight features a 64 piece double-sided ‘jigbit’ set made by Kiddicraft in 1977. This slot-together jigsaw puzzle features characters such as Windy Miller, Mrs Honeyman and her baby, PC McGarry, Dr Mopp and Packet the dog among other well-known characters from the show. Each brightly-coloured cardboard piece assembles together to create 3D miniature standees. This is a wonderful and charming little set that has held up very nicely condition-wise since its release in 1977.

the Camberwick Green crew gathering 1977

the Camberwick Green crew gathering 1977

Camberwick Green this is how we break it down

Camberwick Green this is how we break it down

Camberwick Green "I don't need no doctor"

Camberwick Green “I don’t need no doctor”

BOOK REVIEW: La French Touch

La French Touch
History of French Star Wars Merchandising & Marketing, 1977-1986
by Stéphane Faucourt
  • Published June 2013, France
  • ISBN: 978-2-9527-0462-5
  • Available in French and English language formats
  • Author’s website: La French Touch

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In 2006, Stéphane Faucourt published his first book – From Meccano to Trilogo, a well-received (and today highly-collectable) reference book that examines the availabilty of French vintage Star Wars toys.

In Stéphane’s latest book – La French Touch – we see a natural progression into the exploration of the history of Star Wars merchandising and marketing in France between 1977 – 1986.

La French Touch not only examines the toys and products made available, but also looks into how the films were perceived and the different styles of marketing that were applied. La French Touch explores thoroughly the impact and sensation Star Wars had on France at the time.

The book (242 pages) comes packed with many cool photos of authentic French Star Wars memorabilia, complimented with writing that provides not just a fascinating look at how Star Wars was presented to the French public but also an impressive overview of how Star Wars films and toys were originally conceived outside of France.

La French Touch is perfect for the seasoned collector and for the newbie taking a first step into the world of vintage Star Wars collecting. TVTA highly recommends adding it to your Star Wars bookshelf today!

For information on how to order La French Touch you can go to the author’s site here: La French Touch

E is for: ED SNOWDEN ACTION FIGURE

TVTA is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the first Ed Snowden fully-articulated Action Figure with accessories! Pictures to come, but for now we only have a few ‘secretly leaked’ grainy images of the prototypes that someone had left in the photocopier.

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Ed Snowden Action Figure Accessories & Playsets!
Available soon! (prototypes shown below)

EdSnowdenActionFigurePlayAccessories

No more (action) heroes anymore

Of course, Ed hasn’t really been made into an action figure (yet) and nor are there any magazine/comic adverts urging us to rush out and buy him. But is there anyone at the moment more deserving than Ed of an action figure? How would Ed be designed and pitched to collectors? The Great Unmasker? The Big Bad Upsetter? The Geek Ninja? The Laptop kid?

TVTA rarely shoves its size ten Converse-covered feet into the mainstream mudpile, but this is big, really big, MASSIVE. And some of our staff have been itching to comment and create a little satire! So… thank you Ed Snowden for having the moral guts to stand up and prove what many have long suspected.

Mainstream media is very slow in waking up to what is happening here (or is just refusing to). The Guardian, who originally broke the story in the UK during June 2013, are to be praised. You can keep up to date with all the events concerning the abuse of our rights to privacy and freedom here at:  The Guardian. NSA Files.

And of course, if you just simply hate everything Ed stands for (and his upcoming fully-articulated action figure hero with accessories) then please continue to shuffle in tune to the zombie-beat mantra of “if you’ve nothing to hide then you’ve nothing to fear blah blah yawn”.

POWER LORDS… no man on earth has ever had such power!

This 1983 toy line completely passed me by back in the day. I’d never heard of the Power Lords until finding this great 1984 ad from the pages of DC’s Amethyst. Licenced by Revell, the line featured action figures, beast machines, vehicles and playsets.

Power Lords. US. Amethyst. 1984.

Revell’s Power Lords vs. Mattel’s Masters of the Universe. Article. Starlog N°80 1984. An interesting battle but one which was surely won by Mattel?


Power Lords Video Game

Power Lords video game. US. The Incredible Hulk. 1984.