Matt Thorn
12-13-2008, 06:28 AM
Here's a really old and laughably cheesy "lightsaber" toy from Japan, still in its package. (http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e83810722)
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img450x600-1229076673cs9bax53595.jpg
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img450x600-1229076695ubggli53947.jpg
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img600x450-1229076707dk60vp54042.jpg
The auction info (all in Japanese, sorry) says it's an "officially licensed product," and has a closeup of the copyright information to prove it. Looks pretty convincing to me. Since the copyright is "TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION," and the "STAR WARS" logo is the one that appeared on the original posters, rather than the one we are all familiar with now, I'm guessing this came out at about the time the film was released in Japan, which would make it about 30 years old. The package says it "shines in four colors." I wonder what the four colors are, since, as I recall, we only see three colors of lightsabers in Episode IV. It sure looks like the manufacturers hurriedly converted some key holder or other knickknack to make this "lightsaber." It's a miracle that the included battery hasn't leaked and destroyed the item. The bidding started at 5000 yen (roughly U.S. $55) yesterday evening, but so far there are no bids. I think even the most dedicated collector of Star Wars memorabilia would hesitate to buy something that doesn't even remotely resemble a lightsaber, but if anyone's seriously interested, I can bid in your stead, send it to you, and you can reimburse me through PayPal. :cool:
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img450x600-1229076673cs9bax53595.jpg
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img450x600-1229076695ubggli53947.jpg
http://img307.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/8/8/1/2/ijiuhs31-img600x450-1229076707dk60vp54042.jpg
The auction info (all in Japanese, sorry) says it's an "officially licensed product," and has a closeup of the copyright information to prove it. Looks pretty convincing to me. Since the copyright is "TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION," and the "STAR WARS" logo is the one that appeared on the original posters, rather than the one we are all familiar with now, I'm guessing this came out at about the time the film was released in Japan, which would make it about 30 years old. The package says it "shines in four colors." I wonder what the four colors are, since, as I recall, we only see three colors of lightsabers in Episode IV. It sure looks like the manufacturers hurriedly converted some key holder or other knickknack to make this "lightsaber." It's a miracle that the included battery hasn't leaked and destroyed the item. The bidding started at 5000 yen (roughly U.S. $55) yesterday evening, but so far there are no bids. I think even the most dedicated collector of Star Wars memorabilia would hesitate to buy something that doesn't even remotely resemble a lightsaber, but if anyone's seriously interested, I can bid in your stead, send it to you, and you can reimburse me through PayPal. :cool: