Showcasing 20th century print advertising and pop culture curiosities. Specialities: toys, fashion, comics, movies, vinyl records and art. One of the most comprehensive archives you'll find on the net. Established 2011.
In 2013, Hasbro began releasing their highly anticipated line of Star Wars action figures known as the “Black Series”. The first wave of 6 inch figures proved highly poseable due to their large number of articulation points. Great attention was made to detail and paint applications, both in the figures and the accessories, along with the stylish window boxes which housed each figure, giving the brand a unique style that differed from previous incarnations of Star Wars packaging.
Indeed, the Black Series was firmly aimed at the adult collector rather than children, and with its no-nonsense, no thrills, black is black identity, many of the range sold out shortly after their appearance.
TVTA is pleased to present its thus far collection of Black Series 6 inch figures. Enjoy the pics. Happy Star Wars Day!
Reblogging this excellent Star Wars alley art mural; photos taken by Resa. Her post is kindly dedicated to me and my good Star Wars blogging buddy ForTyeth. Many thanks Resa 😍
Tyeth – “Oh wow! That is unreal! I think the artist has used the colour palette used on the Phantom Menace cover art for the Blu-Ray edition boxes (which is a blueish-purple). It gives this mural a real powerful feel to it, especially having Darth Vader on the left and Master Yoda opposite him.”
Tyeth – “That is Queen Amidala in the centre, during the time when she was presiding on the throne. This is her wearing one of her ceremonial outfits (based on real life Mongolian fashion) and headgear.”
Tyeth – “Her makeup is very symbolic and the mark on her lower lip (which when viewed in normal colours is red)…
Happy Star Wars Day, vintage mates! The 4th of May is the annual holiday celebration of the Star Wars franchise, known as: May The Fourth Be With You – which is a play on the expression ‘may the force be with you’. TVTA always makes a post on this day, usually showing off some Star Wars collectables or print advertising. This year we take a look at some Star Wars blasters, both big and small, direct from the collection of TVTA!
Boba Fett blaster 2009 Hasbro
Below: The Imperial Gunnery exclusive replica blasters.
Greetings vintage mates! This is a big hello from a galaxy far, far away, as TVTA emerges from its hiatus to bring you a special Star Wars post and wish you a happy Star Wars Day and May The Fourth Be With You!
It has long been a tradition at TVTA to celebrate the 4th of May (the internationally-recognised Star Wars celebration day, and a play on the expression ‘May The Force Be With You’), and no evil Empire is going to stop me enjoying this year at TVTA, hiatus or not!
Recycling the Force
Alas, I don’t have enough space credits just yet to upgrade my plan to be able to present you with new Star Wars image delights (of which I have a-plenty), but be rest assured there is enough galactic goodness in my archives to help make this day a very special Star Wars Day indeed!
Believing the hype!
My good WP blogging mate and fellow Star Wars fan Julie over at Darkside Creative made an excellent post recently posing the question: How did you become a Star Wars fan?
For me, it all started with the toys before I even saw the first film, namely Kenner and Palitoy 3.75 inch action figures, along with the iconic Landspeeder vehicle and my prized toy back then – a Palitoy Battle-Damaged X-Wing Fighter complete with Luke X-Wing Pilot.
Later came a vintage Japanese Takara Transforming X-Wing Fighter and a 7 inch die cast Darth Vader complete with a Chewbacca bowcaster (was the Dark Lord of the Sith not content with only a lightsaber?).
Later still came an addictive collection of modern-era The Black Series 6 inch figures (of which a separate post will be demanded at some point).
So, as you may have already guessed, this year’s May The Fourth Be With You post is dedicated to Star Wars toys! No sushi. No chirashi. No comic books. Just wonderful vintage and modern toys!
Archvillain Darth Vader, cover of TIME Magazine, May 19, 1980. Artwork by M. Arisman.
Another Star Wars legend passes on and joins that great gallery of personas who delighted us as kids in a galaxy far, far away.
I learned earlier today that actor David ‘Dave’ Prowse has passed away aged 85. Dave was famous for his role as Darth Vader in the original trilogy Star Wars films. As a boy I had a poster of Vader on my wall which I cherished, along with my Kenner action figure of him. But it wasn’t just Dave’s role as the Dark Lord Sith which captured my imagination as a kid, it was his role as the Green Cross Man in the British run of TV and print adverts which drummed into my head the importance of road safety. I will say that each time I crossed the road as a youngling I thought of Green Cross Man’s advice (and still do today).
Perhaps a mark of a great actor is to be able to play both the villain and hero. For me, and I’m sure for countless other fans and admirers, Dave Prowse accomplished this role splendidly.
Below is a small tribute to one of my all-time best childhood heroes, represented in print adverts and toys from the TVTA collection.
I Am Your Father. Dave Prowse documentary. Chirashi poster. Japan . 2015.
Green Cross Code. UK. 1979.
Star Wars Miro Meccano prizes. France. 1980.
Star Wars Pin-Up Special. 1978. UK.
Star Wars bubble bath. UK. 1978.
Green Cross Code. UK. 1978.
The Empire Strikes Back. 1980. UK.
Forbidden Planet welcomes Dave Prowse and Anthony Daniels. UK. 1980.
Waddington Design a spaceship competition. UK. 1984.
Kenner Darth Vader action figure. Hong Kong COO with letter A hilt. 1977. From the collection of TVTA.
1978 Die Cast Darth Vader figure, made by the Takara company, Japan. From the collection of TVTA.
1978 Die Cast Darth Vader figure, made by the Takara company, Japan. From the collection of TVTA.
Today’s post brings a formidable fleet of Star Wars goodies in print form. Featuring Japanese catalogues, adverts, newsletters, and chirashi movie posters… this post is certain to draw attention from both Imperial and Rebel forces across the galaxy!
Enjoy 🙂
S.H.Figuarts action figures and models catalogue. Japan. 2017
I’m dedicating this year’s May The 4th Be With You to our dear Covid 19 and the evil pandemic empire… Grrr!
We haven’t missed a May The 4th in a long time at TVTA, and no frightening us with sorcerer’s ways and sad devotion to ancient religions is gonna stop us now (cough, cough – sorry Lord Vader).
The Vintage Toy Advertiser 