Sunday, May 4, 2014

Before Sports Cards... There Was Star Wars

A long time ago, in a theater not that far away...  my life was forever changed.

Back before sports cards became my favorite way to kill time... my parents took me to see Star Wars.  And since that day... it's been one of my favorite film series.  My obsession with Star Wars action figures, video games, and comic books have long subsided... but I'll still watch the original trilogy at least once or twice a year.

I even think about going back and purchasing the original Topps sets, since they were the first trading cards I ever collected.

These days, I prefer collecting baseball, football, and hockey players over Jedis, Wookies, and Sith Lords.  But every now and then, I'll purchase a piece of Star Wars nostalgia to keep me in touch with my childhood.

My most recent purchase is this medallion card of Obi-Wan Kenobi out of 2013 Star Wars Galactic Files Series 2...

#MD20

These cards are similar to the baseball "ring" cards produced by Topps these past few years.

I originally wanted to purchase Boba Fett's Slave One medallion, but this card turned out to be much more affordable.  You can expect to pay close to thirty dollars for a Fett, while these cards are routinely sold in the $8 to $10 range.

And after going back and forth on whether or not to pick this up... I remembered how Kenobi sacrificed himself so that Luke, Han, Leia, and the droids could escape the Death Star.  It's one of the coolest, selfless acts in the history of Sci-Fi cinema.

Happy Star Wars Day!  And May the fourth be with you.

38 comments:

hockey kazi said...

"May the Fourth be with us all".

Tony L. said...

I like the movies, but in really like watching the DragonCon gathering in Atlanta each year.

Commishbob said...

True confession time: I've seen most, maybe all of the SW pics. And I still have no idea what the hell is going on in any of them.

Hackenbush said...

I like the card but I'm one of the few people who aren't impressed by the franchise. I only saw the original movie for the first time during a theater re-release back in the 90's (I think).

Wilson said...

I went to high school with a distant relative of Alec Guinness. She really didn't appreciate all our Star Wars cracks. But that's what she gets for hangin out with the geek crowd.

The Prowling Cat said...

I was so into Star Wars as a kid that the trading cards were my first ever cards. Without those who knows if I would even be into baseball cards now.

Stealing Home said...

Original Star Wars movie -
Graumann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, CA -
Second row from the front ---
ABSOLUTE AWESOMENESS !!!!!

night owl said...

I saw the first 3 movies in the theater and that was it for me. But I remember the order of the Star Wars cards series: blue, red, yellow, green, orange.

Corky said...

I picked up a Tie Fighter medallion last year, they are very cool cards and thicker than you would expect. I plan on getting an AT-AT Driver, Darth Vader and Darth Maul medallion too, but they can wait.

Greg Zakwin said...

So yeah.

Not a Star Wars fan. Never seen a full movie. Just a few bits and pieces on TV when nothing else was on.

Mark Hoyle said...

Never watched one minute of any of the movies

Dawgbones said...

Love both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises. I'm so glad they are continuing with the Star Wars story line as opposed to a reboot like they've done with the Trek movies(though I absolutely love the reboot!) My neighbor had no clue that there were other Star Trek movies before the reboot!! (she's young!)

Anonymous said...

May da Schwartz be wit' you!!!!!!!

I'm going to fall right into the middle of these comments. I saw the first three movies in the theater and thoroughly enjoyed them. The second trilogy bored me, but I soldiered on and watched all three to maintain my greek cred.

Pro Set Cards said...

I liked all first 6 episodes which I guess doesn't make me a REAL fan. I like ep4-6 because i grew up with them and I liked learning how things came to be in ep1-3. Curious to how the next three will go but time will tell if they are any good.

I was more into Star Trek myself than Star Wars.

BobWalkthePlank said...

Love Star Wars! Empire Strikes Back was my favorite. Nice to see the bad guys win.

defgav said...

Star Wars fan here. I know it gets a lot of love on 5/4, but I reserve my SW geekout for The Festival of Lightsabers (the week between Xmas and NYE).. an annual tradition in my house.

I've got a few action figures, but apart from that, haven't done much collecting in regards to SW. Would love to pick up sets of the original Topps set(s) one of these days.

JediJeff said...

These comments were interesting reads. Now I know which people I no longer want to be friends with. Looking at you, Zakwin..... :)

brian said...

I fell prey to some die cast figures during the re-release

Fuji said...

Lol. That's the way I feel about the Harry Potter films.

Fuji said...

When I was a kid, I would have thought you were crazy. But as an adult, I realize certain things aren't for everyone. I still can't understand why people watch reality television... and I know a lot more people who enjoy that over SW.

Fuji said...

That's awesome. You're part of the Guinness six degrees of separation thingy.

Fuji said...

Exactly!

Fuji said...

Now that's one of those stories you'll definitely be telling your grandchildren. Very cool.

Fuji said...

If you had to pick a trilogy, you chose the right one. As for the colors... I'm impressed. I remember having a bunch of blue, yellow, and green... but very few orange and I don't remember any red.

Fuji said...

If I end up grabbing a few more... next up will be Boba and Han. But I'll only buy them if they're affordable.

Fuji said...

I'm a fan of both too. I totally love the new ST movies... but if I could only choose one franchise, I'd have to choose Luke, Han, and Leia over Kirk, Spock, and Scotty.

Fuji said...

I one of those people who avoid the theaters at all costs... but have to admit I've seen all 6 in the theaters... multiple times.

Fuji said...

Here's my rankings...

Episodes 4-6 > Episodes 1-3 > Star Trek > Reality TV

Fuji said...

Agree 100%. I'm a huge fan of Hoth. Wish they spent more time there.

Fuji said...

The Festival of Lightsabers sounds AWESOME! I too look forward to adding those original Topps sets to my collection one of these days.

Fuji said...

Lol

Fuji said...

Now that's something I've never dove into. But you know what they say... never say never.

Fuji said...

If I could offer you some advice... give it a chance. Although if you're going to try it... I wouldn't start with Episode 1 (JMHO).

Fuji said...

It's okay Greg. I still think you're okay.

Jafronius said...

They made Series 2 of that Galactic set? Oh, and while I enjoy both Trek and Wars, I lean more towards Trek.

Greg Zakwin said...

I appreciate you letting me slide ;)

Fuji said...

It's okay. I didn't realize they had a Series 1, until after I made this purchase.

Unknown said...

The Empire Strikes Back was the first film I was ever taken to, so I share all of your sentiments with Star Wars, Fuji. I have many childhood memories, and even more stories from the family of how obsessed I was with every aspect of the films, characters, and toys. Great Obi-Wan card...I wasn't aware these even existed.