Should I have a focus? Do you have one?

[dienstuhr]

It's appealing for sure; a way to go a bit further in depth on a theme or character.

Right now I am sitting on a full set of loose figures less the PotF releases, all in excellent to near mint condition with original accessories. My loose ships and playsets are being gradually upgraded to boxed examples. I've not gone after any Ewoks-themed items (e.g. Village, Battle Wagon etc.), mini-rigs or PotF/Droids vehicles. I've been concentrating on the screen-seen stuff. Just concentrating on hunting down boxes now mainly.

But if I DID do a focus, I think it would be on a bounty hunter. Fett is obvious but too expensive nowadays. Bossk is cool for sure and he has the benefit of more related stuff - like the mail-away offer and the CAP-2 mini-rig. I've always liked IG-88 too. My idea of a focus would be an example of the figure on each debut cardback (i.e. a debut ESB, a debut RotJ, a Trilogo, a PotF as applicable) and the major loose variations (e.g. for IG-88 the metallic and matte-grey finishes), and maybe a pre-production item or two.

Perhaps after I've accumulated a few more boxes I need, I'll think more about a focus. Here's a question - for you focus collectors, what's your focus, how far into it do you go, and do you maintain a "general" collection as well as your focus?

Cheers

d.

 

[bodhi_tree777]

I decided to cast kind of a wide net and go for a Jabba's Palace focus. Multiple playsets, vehicles and creatures to go after, not to mention probably 30-35 individual figures that fit in there. Enough to keep me busy for a while.

I also maintain a "general" collection, but as of now it consists of exactly one vintage ship, one vintage figure (B-Wing and B-Wing pilot), and a random assortment of Jabba and Boba Fett-related modern stuff. I guess that's the point of having a focus in the first place

 

[Bonsai_Tree_Ent]

I've not gone for a 'focus' either but I agree that IG-88 would be a cool choice - he kinda has that mean look like a Terminator exo-skeleton!

Plus I saw a modern item recently, can't remember whether it was a Sideshow one or what the brand was, but it was an incredible looking IG-88 sculpt and it stood on a grating which also acted as a light and illuminated the figure in very dramatic style... probably the only modern piece i've ever been tempted by!

 

[dienstuhr]

Plus I saw a modern item recently, can't remember whether it was a Sideshow one or what the brand was, but it was an incredible looking IG-88 sculpt and it stood on a grating which also acted as a light and illuminated the figure in very dramatic style... probably the only modern piece i've ever been tempted by!

That's the Sideshow figure I think - just looked it up and wow is it ever cool! IG-88 Sixth Scale Figure - Sideshow Collectibles - SideshowCollectibles.com

d.

 

[BlueSnag]

I went back & forth about starting a focus myself -

I just recently started a pathetic Luke Jedi focus with not much to it yet

Having said that I fully expect to maintain a regular collection & am currently pursuing a complete set of POTF coins, various GG Jumbo figures & mini busts, Vintage Micro Collection, & Vintage Bootlegs

Needless to say the above should keep my bust for awhile

 

[Darth_Skelatron]

You hear so much on this forum/elsewhere in the hobby about focuses, runs, first shots/prototypes, proofs, bootlegs etc. that it's easy to get carried away thinking that if you're not doing likewise you're not a real collector, but it's all about personal choice. Whilst I respect people that want to collect those things they hold no interest for me beyond looking at the occasional limelights - I'm in it purely for re-collecting things that meant something to me as a child and when I have all those I will simply stop.

You're in this hobby for you - so what reason are you collecting for? I would assume that a focus is something that chooses you not vice versa so if you've not got a figure/character/scene that jumps out at you as "the one" then you probably shouldn't be focusing on anyone. Do boxed items do it for you more than one specific thing,m if so maybe you should be looking at a run instead? Maybe look at limelights and see if anything there calls to you?

 

[Grant]

Hello

To anyone thinking of starting a focus. I would suggest just take your time and enjoy what you collecting at the moment. Dont feel the need to focus on anything or feel like less of a collector because you dont feel your progressing down a certain path or what may seem like following the herd.

Lots of collectors complete certain runs and lots dont feel the need to bother. If I was to count the amount of different collecting projects/focuses iv tried taking on whilst being a member here on RS then im probably on project/focus 10. Basically each project/focus was sold of to try and fund the next project/focus and so on until I found an area of the hobby that I really connected with. Alot of the time a focus will find you without you trying too hard to find it.

One focus Iv always admired but never gotten round to is a Revenge proof card run. Its an unproduced run of Preproduction material and most of the top characters are on those cardbacks.

Regards

Grant.

 

[Hoth_My_Fav]

It's appealing for sure; a way to go a bit further in depth on a theme or character.

Right now I am sitting on a full set of loose figures less the PotF releases, all in excellent to near mint condition with original accessories. My loose ships and playsets are being gradually upgraded to boxed examples. I've not gone after any Ewoks-themed items (e.g. Village, Battle Wagon etc.), mini-rigs or PotF/Droids vehicles. I've been concentrating on the screen-seen stuff. Just concentrating on hunting down boxes now mainly.

But if I DID do a focus, I think it would be on a bounty hunter. Fett is obvious but too expensive nowadays. Bossk is cool for sure and he has the benefit of more related stuff - like the mail-away offer and the CAP-2 mini-rig. I've always liked IG-88 too. My idea of a focus would be an example of the figure on each debut cardback (i.e. a debut ESB, a debut RotJ, a Trilogo, a PotF as applicable) and the major loose variations (e.g. for IG-88 the metallic and matte-grey finishes), and maybe a pre-production item or two.

Perhaps after I've accumulated a few more boxes I need, I'll think more about a focus. Here's a question - for you focus collectors, what's your focus, how far into it do you go, and do you maintain a "general" collection as well as your focus?

Cheers

d.

GREAT question- i had this same situation.

Heres what happened- Like many of you, the movies got me into the toys. I had them as a little kid. I have great memories. One movie stuck out tho, ESB. and more to the point, the opening scenes on Hoth. So, I started thinking about what I had,,, what I had always wanted that I had missed. And thats where I started looking around, WOW, WEEEEE man, all this stuff, oh look at that,, and on and on was my reaction lol. Before you know it, I was finding out about Palitoy, next thing I am seeing diffrent carded Ewoks, and what is this, graded stuff? and stuff thats MISB... say what no way!!!???.....

well, all this was just overwhelming for the senses. Its like,, it never ends. I couldnt make my mind up at first because of EVERYTHING out there. So, I said, ok ima get what i like in general of SW vintage toys. Quickly I noticed there was too much stuff I wanted!! and way lots of money!

So I kept Hoth at the top of my mind,,, but the question was, boxed or graded? man I cant make my mind up. What to do? What whats thing,, next thing I am being distracted by a Rancor thats graded lmao! So again I said. wait wait wait a minute... AFter a couple days of seeing STUFF,, I said look, this is nuts,,,, SO at that time, I made my mind up, Ima going for the favorite part and fond memories I had,, and that was the Hoth scenes,,, I had received Hoth items from my parents. At that time i made my resolve-

1- Graded items OR get MISB and get them graded (since I found the process so interesting that I Wanted to get it done myself)
2- stick to a certain line, in this case, Kenner items, sold in the US
3- dont do anything outside of ESB Hoth items PERIOD, because I knew if i didnt repeat this in my mind I Would be distracted
4- As a treat and settle the interest in the other toys, I allowed myself to purchase a few non Hoth items, those being a graded Rancor, graded Rancor Keeper (because u cant have a Rancor running wild, someones gotta keep him in line) and a Chewbacca bandolier graded, since I had one as a kid. Around that time I also picked up a MISB shuttle and a MISB CAP i think it is. BUT thats where i drew the line. no more,,,

So that was and has been my game plan. I havent veered from any vintage items that have a Hoth focus. I have placed it as a goal,, to get all the vintage Hoth items, then figures from Hoth. AFter thats all done, THEN we can start somewhere else.

Now, I have purchased a few recently released Vintage SW, thanks to some of you *&($&#&$%# hobbyists there!!!! lol haha JUST KIDDING.. but yea, a few guys here were talking about the Gamorrean guards and I couldnt resist,, so i picked up a few, also picked up a Luke Hoth and tauntaun from this recent Vintage line.

But overall, I continue to remain on track, sticking to Hoth ESB SW original vintage .

Its hard but keeping a goal and plan helps!

 

[Shawn_K]

I guess I'll start by answering your questions.

What's your focus?

Luke Jedi is my character focus.

How far into it do you go

I mainly go for toy/figure related items, but will also pick up the oddball type item on occasion as well. I don't go full out buying everything under the sun though. I certainly could, but I also like to keep it manageable with the space that I have for display.

Do you maintain a "general" collection as well as your focus?

I consider my other collecting habits to be a bit more focused as well rather than just buying anything and everything with SW on it. I learned a long time ago that I couldn't have everything, so I go for areas that I have an interest in. Sure, I have my basic loose set which I recently decided to expand into Droids and Ewoks, The Force Lightsaber, Mailers, and coins. These were all areas that I had an interest in even when I was working on just loose figures. I don't think there's anything wrong with a random collection, but I guess I'm more of one to try to complete some kind of set or having things a bit uniform. Also, by being a bit more focused I can do more on the research end of things and because of that I've even had a discovery or two of my own in one of those areas that was previously unknown/not well known.

When I see a thread like this asking what character they should focus on I generally think that means a focus probably isn't right for the poster. Generally, it is a favorite character/figure or just something that happened while collecting. In my case, back when I was a newer collector Luke Jedi was still my favorite, but I had no idea in '96 that I'd start a character focus on him a decade later. It just happened as I picked up a few loose variations of him and he was my first MOC. For some reason I couldn't stop buying him.

However, based on what you've said, a selection of bounty hunter related items might be a fun way to go rather than just picking one character. You'd still be able to incorporate Fett in there without going for the crazy priced items. In the end though it is up to you on what you want to do. You can always pick up a few items and if it isn't for you, then sell them on and go to something else.

 

[BespinFatigues]

I decided on Walrusman since that was my favourite as a child and evoked the most memories, coincidentally it's not a character which demands an unrealistic outlay for collecting on a budget. That's more by luck than judgement but it ticked all the boxes for me. The fact that he's a bit of an underdog makes him even more endearing to my mind, that and the fact that a few of the peripheral toys/playsets associated with him are ANH based also appeals. Ultimately i just like those ridiculous flippers and lurid colour scheme, we ain't friends with Kenobi though :disgusted:

 

[Bonsai_Tree_Ent]

That's the Sideshow figure I think - just looked it up and wow is it ever cool! IG-88 Sixth Scale Figure - Sideshow Collectibles - SideshowCollectibles.com

d.

Yes - that was the one (sacrilege but am going to post a modern pic here in the vintage forum!)

 

[krohlf]

what's your focus, how far into it do you go, and do you maintain a "general" collection as well as your focus?

As far as SW goes, my only focus at the moment is to finish off my loose set. Outside SW I do have a figure focus and I went as deep as one can and am still looking for certain pieces, such as 2D and 3D protos. Depth wise, foreign MOC from all around the world, loose figures, trading cards, game pieces, all diferent cardback variations, Cromalins, etc.
I actually maintain a few different collections. Complete loose sets of Super Powers(including the vehicles), Secret Wars(minus the 3 foreign guys), Gabriel Lone Ranger, Star Wars(minus Blue Snags, Yak and a split belly TaunTaun)

 

[dienstuhr]

Wow - interesting discussion. Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses! It's fascinating to hear about different collectors' focuses (foci) and what makes you collect what you do.

I'm off to the post office right now to mail a parcel and hoping that my X-Wing Fighter in box has arrived... and just won an auction for a junky Slave 1 with decent box. Two more down! ;-)

Cheers

d.

 

[Jetson]

My focus? Zuckuss
How far along? My progress is what I would call nontraditonal. Where most would focus on getting a set of the Kenner MOCs I have focused on bootlegs, foreign MOCs and preproduction items.

I have a general collection, but it is all over the place.

If I cold afford it I would start a second focus, Tusken Raider, since I still remember opening my first one in 1978 or 79.

 

[Tommy_Garvey]

I collect Kea Moll and Luke Poncho stuff. With Kea, I'll pretty much buy anything with her on it. With Luke Poncho, I'll collect any vintage or modern rarities, but I'm not really into production stuff or non-toy items.

I do have a collection outside of those foci, but one of the reasons why I'm able to do that, is that I have characters where there isn't a lot of stuff out there for them. Everything Kea Moll ever made can sit on just a couple shelves with room to spare. So, if you're looking for a focus, that's something to keep in mind. If there's a LOT of stuff out there for the character, then there's more to track down, but there's more to track down. If you're focusing on Vader, for instance, then I doubt you're going to have a whole lot of time and money to spend on other things. Just buying his stuff will keep you busy. If you pick an obscure character, then there's a lot less out there and you can spend money on a "general" collection. Of course, the focus won't ever be as large, so it's a tradeoff.

Tommy

 

[Adam_L]

Having a focus doesn't mean it's something needing constant attention, however the real-deal focus collections are with collectors that have been at it for 3+ years, weekly hunting down items and making nice scores (maintaining the focus so it's full of variety, displays well, and at the condition the collector sees fit). It all depends upon how far you want to take it, but the ideal time to have started a specific figure focus would have been at least 8 years ago (or longer). A lot of stuff is already gobbled up in other collectors collections, and the real killer pieces won't see the light of day (possibly get sold/traded, but it's behind closed doors, hushhhh hushhhh). There is a ton of great pieces out there, so it is really just a matter of time when some nice pieces do come out of the wood-work, and find their way into someone elses collection (for various reasons, collectors getting tired of a certain piece, a way to repaint the walls so to speak).

Remember, if you do decide to have a fairly tight focus, you'll also most likely pass up other great deals on other pieces in the process. There are some collectors who do make good scores on other pieces, then flip the piece with in 1-2 months to make their money back( and then some), and use that money to fuel their true focus. To have just one narrow focus can have its limitations. I think most collectors have at least 2-3 focuses with in a larger/general collection.

 

[M4K3R1]

Interesting to read how everyone collects.
I have only focused on Vader from the start. I let go my loose set of figures a while ago.
At the moment my collecting has multiple smaller focus's for Vader.
Trying to complete a run of all Baggies for Vader.
Also trying to complete a loose COO variants for Vader, and Lettered hilts at the same time.
I also try to pick up a nice MOC for Vader when the funds allow me to.
Besides vintage, i also focus on the modern vintage collection MOC for Vader, there are so many modern variants for TVC.
And finally, an autograph focus for anyone and everyone involved in any way to the character of Vader in the films.

 

[Grant_C]

Took me 2 years to decide on a focus. Turned out to be my first figure from my chilhood. The TIE Fighter Pilot.

Its great because im not interested in bootlegs or baggies, but will collect them for a focus so it gives an oppotunity to learn about them. It also allows you to learn about foreign cards, backs, stickers, foreign stickers, variations, multipacks, prototypes, artwork, coins and mail aways.

Its a really interesting journey.

Be very mindful of your choice. An EV-9D9 focus will be a totaly different journey to a Jawa Focus.

 

[morrison2951]

For years I've had a Last 17 (15) MOC POTF focus and to date I've got a dozen in the collection. I need a few more ewoks and have essentially just written off MOC POTF Anakin and MOC POTF Yak Face as very cost prohibitive.

My son is now at a prestigious private college so my collecting days are likely over! Ha ha ha

 

[Citizen]

I don't have a focus beyond "figures I think are cool". Really only into figures, rather than ships, ads, non-toy items, etc.

Modern, vintage, American, foreign, production, pre-production stages, officially liscensed, bootleg, loose, MOC/MISB, whatever. If I like it, I'll buy it. If I don't, I'm not going to waste money on it just for the sake of completing a collection.

 

[BlueSnag]

Took me 2 years to decide on a focus. Turned out to be my first figure from my chilhood. The TIE Fighter Pilot.

Its great because im not interested in bootlegs or baggies, but will collect them for a focus so it gives an oppotunity to learn about them. It also allows you to learn about foreign cards, backs, stickers, foreign stickers, variations, multipacks, prototypes, artwork, coins and mail aways.

Its a really interesting journey.

Be very mindful of your choice. An EV-9D9 focus will be a totaly different journey to a Jawa Focus.

This is an excellent point. Since I've started my Luke Jedi focus I find myself researching particular items (carback variations, etc) I haven't had interest adding to my collection in the past

 

[wend1tah]

Hi and welcome, I think a few people have touched on this, but for me the reason I use a focus is to keep from over spending and just buying everything I think I like. There is soo much stuff out there and of course I want it all, but I know that is not a reality. I use the focus as a kind of self discipline to keep me from just buying everything and going broke. I still might buy something if the deal is too good to pass up, but mainly I stick to my focus and if I ever finish that focus, I will focus on something new. Currently I am looking at Ewoks in all carded versions, finishing my droids series, and 47-Backs. A lot to focus on, but not in the grand scheme of things.

 

[nohandluke]

My focus is on finding the quirkiest stuff about the vintage line, then obsessing about it. But seriously, I kept my focus parallel with my childhood focus - meaning, collect loose but complete and get all of the mass produced toys (which was the goal I couldn't achieve when I was 5-8 years old.)

 

[AussieFortuna]

My focus is loose variants, variants that you can see visual differences with, after collecting my first loose set i upgraded nearly every piece, so i have two full sets of every production piece, now im on variants, its not to expensive, but i love the chase..

 

[DJ121]

Does 1978-1985 Kenner count as a focus???

 

[Hoth_My_Fav]

I think ... again, what impacts most on a focus is something thats dear to them, something that stirs something... for me , as i said earlier it was Hoth, even tho I enjoyed Star Wars when the first three movies were released. But it was ESB, and in particular, the scenes of Hoth, that stuck with me as a kid, and my parents getting me Hoth stormtroopers and that was just where I wanted to focus.

Not to say, I dont like the other items from the other movies, I do and I have a FEW ROTJ as I mentioned but I wanna keep the focus first on the most special part of Star Wars for me... which was Hoth!

 

[Rendar]

Right now my focus is an A-Wing pilot for my A-Wing and I'll go from there.

 

[jedisearcher]

I don't have a focus as such in terms of a single figure but I'm trying to complete runs of ESB debut cards, and a full POTF run. If I didn't have some idea of what I wanted to collect I'd probably just collect everything (obviously not the best idea).

I don't have a focus on one figure because one just hasn't grabbed me yet, no single figure interests me that much. I do kinda like all of the Leia one's so I'll probably end up somewhere there, but I don't see much of a need to rush. Things are always coming up for sale.

 

[HWR]

Like many other here, I played with the figures as a kid in the 1980's and started collecting in the mid 1990's. Even though, I have been an adult collector for nearly 20 years, I still don't have a focus.

In the begining, I just wanted to get the ones, I wanted but never got as a kid, then I aimed after a complete loose bacis set, then it was the larger variations aswell, then the foreign (Takara, Lili-Ledy, TopToys, Glasslite etc) variations and now it's variations of the foreign variations (eg. Lili-Ledy Leia Bespin with Hong Kong coo, LL Yoda with Hong Kong coo, LL Luke Bespin yellow hair and that kind of rare Lili-Ledy variations). But still not a focus on a single figure. ''

I have however made vintage Danish Star Wars merchandise my main interest, so somehow, that migh be kind of a focus, but a wide one.

 

[Faker]

I don't know that I have a focus. I want all the vintage figures. But I don't care too much about minor variations. But I guess you could say that my focus is the figures because I have no interest in collecting vehicles or play sets.

My favorite figure without a doubt is Jedi Luke. At one time I had 2 MOC but eventually sold 1. I have a complete loose snap cape blue saber version. That was the version I had as a kid. I have several loose extras without accessories. At one time I think I had about 8 but I eventually got rid of a few.

I collect a gazillion toy lines. I have a hard enough time keeping track of what lines I'm focussing on let alone trying to work out a focus in each collection. I mostly just buy the figures I want the most. Nostalgia has a big factor so any figures I had as a kid or wanted really bad as a kid are top priority.

 

[SITH_DARTH_RAGE]

A focus can be anything from an entire line, ie. All the vintage Kenner items (77-85), to a specific character or card back. My focus is Star Wars with a mini focus on Gamorrean Guards Collecting is meant to be fun. Enjoy yourself and take your time, if you decide on a focus, cool but if not and your having fun that's cool too!