I used to collect Star Wars action figures and vehicles at the time of the original trilogy, but then in my early teens my priorities changed and I sold off my collection for a ridiculously low price, including my beloved AT-AT. Fast forward a few years and I was deeply regretting my actions, so when the new Star Wars merchandise started to become available I bought it by the truckload, or at least by the suitcase load!

When we moved into our current house in 2006 I got rid of some of the newly collected bits (I know, history doomed to predict itself), but I did manage to fill 3 large suitcases full of action figures, vehicles, play sets, watches, CDs and even some candy lightsabers. Those suitcases have stayed in the loft for the past 5 years – until yesterday that is, when I braved the climb to the loft (or attic if you are not from the UK) to retrieve the galactic treasures.

As big as the suitcases are, they do disguise somewhat the sheer amount that I was able to pack into each one and I was utterly shocked when I took out figure after figure from from the first suitcase, until the sofa was completely covered a few times over. Inside I found figures from the first Clone Wars series, Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith and lots from the Power of the Force range which covered the original trilogy and expanded universe. There was also 3 of the 4 copies of the Attack of the Clones soundtrack CD which came with 4 different covers – the 4th version must be around somewhere. There are also my 3 copies of Duel of the Fates CD single which I remember buying as my effort to get it to number 1 in the charts. That never happened.

Suitcase 2 contained a whole host of Darth Maul action figure variations and sets. Maul is one of my favourite characters in the Star wars Universe and easily my favourite visually, though maybe that’s doing a disservice to my beloved Gamorrean Guard.

To the right of middle at the bottom is my G2-9T action figure which is from the Star Tours ride and combines my two loves of Star Wars and Disneyland Paris. I keep meaning to get the StarSpeeder 3000 model vehicle but always seem to talk myself out of it – maybe the next time we go (September 2012 is the current plan) I’ll finally indulge, or hope eBay comes up with the goods in the meantime.

This is also the suitcase that contains the wonderful Micro Machines Master Collectors Edition. This is a box of 19 original trilogy ships and vehicles in all their tiny splendour. Particular favourites of mine are the miniature AT-AT and Jabba’s Sail Barge.

In the 3rd suitcase, as well as a whole load more action figures, are bits and bobs I thought I’d gotten ride of years ago. An example of these goodies would be the full collection of Episode 1 busts from Kelloggs, each one containing a mini poster with the Episode I logo on one side and a character profile on the other. I also have the complete Tazo collection with binder which was a Walker’s Crisps promotion to celebrate the release of the Special Edition versions. I remember having people in University handing my Tazos every day in an effort to help complete my collection.

There is also some evidence of when I went a bit nuts on eBay, like a collection of 5 Episode I digital watches and a shop display of Episode I keyrings with all keyrings still attached. I’m pretty sure the revolving Jar Jar Binks toothbrush holder will be a worth a fortune one day, just not today.

At some point I’ll get it all out and take photos, while deciding what I am going to do with it and how much of the house I can use to display it all. At the moment I am limited to just some Master Replica mini lightsabers in the lounge.

When Episode I is released on 3D next year I’m sure there will be a whole plethora of new merchandise, but now I am a mature family man I doubt I’ll be buying much…

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