Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Book

[Lt__Brenn_Tantor]

The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Book Coming Soon

Posted by Chris on October 31, 2020 at 11:30 AM CST

Official Press Release:
IN-DEPTH GUIDE TO THE ORIGINAL KENNER STAR WARS LINE
(Action figures between 1977-1985)

London, United Kingdom, 30 October 2020 – The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) – the most in-depth guide with complete cross referencing throughout and never before seen card back flowcharts that includes potential undiscovered cards.

Not only will this book cover card fronts and card backs throughout the complete line but it also identifies possible undiscovered cards through use of the unique card back flowcharts as well as aid fans whichever way they choose to collect. Collectors will be able to view by waves, concentrate on individual character collecting as well as discover the various ways in which the figures were available. It strips back all of what we know and reconfigures it in a clear and decisive way displayed in a beautifully bound book, making it a collector’s piece in its own right.

The Kickstarer has been approved and will commence 5th November 2020. Prices and rewards options will be available then but rest assured the fans will be happy with the price point.

Who’s behind this project:

Gianni Venturini – graphic designer from London with over 25 years experience. From the moment he saw Star Wars in 1978 at the Gaumont Cinema, London, he was hooked and has been collecting ever since.

Gregory Armstrong - digital marketing and retail expert from London with over 15 years experience. Born just before the release of Return of the Jedi, Greg’s introduction to Star Wars came via the toys before even seeing the movies.

”I have a passion for Star Wars and as a result I have large variety of Star Wars related books in my collection (particularly on collecting)... which I love! However (in my opinion) I can’t help but feel that, although full of interesting information, they are too jumbled and over-designed.”
Gianni Venturini – co-author of The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One

Read Five Designs Ltd started out with Gianni, who began producing card back style collection posters, back in 2018, which were very popular with fans. At the start of 2019 along with Greg, he decided to make the big leap into producing a book... this book. With initial help from friends and their collections, as well as their own, they began to compile the content required for the book.

With it being their first venture into publishing and with proficient knowledge of the printing process they decided self publishing through Kickstarter was the best way to go. They have made sure much of the legwork was done before the Kickstarter launch in order for fans not to have to wait too long before getting their hands on the book, which they aim to be the start of Q2 2021.

You can contact us via our website: www.readfive.co.uk or email us at: readfivedesigns@gmail.com

Book showcase via our YouTube channel (Read Five Designs):

Read Five Designs create checklist posters and books for fans alike covering movies and popular culture. The aim is to generate a wide range of cool retro books and posters to cover the huge variety of subjects out there and help fans complete their collection. Our plan is to deliver the nostalgia and excitement of holding that Luke Skywalker farm boy figure for the first time through a variety of informative collector pieces in their own right.

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I just backed this project, I hope it gets all the goals .

 

[GuardsOnCards]

The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) Book Coming Soon

Posted by Chris on October 31, 2020 at 11:30 AM CST

Official Press Release:
IN-DEPTH GUIDE TO THE ORIGINAL KENNER STAR WARS LINE
(Action figures between 1977-1985)

London, United Kingdom, 30 October 2020 – The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One (Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985) – the most in-depth guide with complete cross referencing throughout and never before seen card back flowcharts that includes potential undiscovered cards.

Not only will this book cover card fronts and card backs throughout the complete line but it also identifies possible undiscovered cards through use of the unique card back flowcharts as well as aid fans whichever way they choose to collect. Collectors will be able to view by waves, concentrate on individual character collecting as well as discover the various ways in which the figures were available. It strips back all of what we know and reconfigures it in a clear and decisive way displayed in a beautifully bound book, making it a collector’s piece in its own right.

The Kickstarer has been approved and will commence 5th November 2020. Prices and rewards options will be available then but rest assured the fans will be happy with the price point.

Who’s behind this project:

Gianni Venturini – graphic designer from London with over 25 years experience. From the moment he saw Star Wars in 1978 at the Gaumont Cinema, London, he was hooked and has been collecting ever since.

Gregory Armstrong - digital marketing and retail expert from London with over 15 years experience. Born just before the release of Return of the Jedi, Greg’s introduction to Star Wars came via the toys before even seeing the movies.

”I have a passion for Star Wars and as a result I have large variety of Star Wars related books in my collection (particularly on collecting)... which I love! However (in my opinion) I can’t help but feel that, although full of interesting information, they are too jumbled and over-designed.”
Gianni Venturini – co-author of The Star Wars Toy Guide Volume One

Read Five Designs Ltd started out with Gianni, who began producing card back style collection posters, back in 2018, which were very popular with fans. At the start of 2019 along with Greg, he decided to make the big leap into producing a book... this book. With initial help from friends and their collections, as well as their own, they began to compile the content required for the book.

With it being their first venture into publishing and with proficient knowledge of the printing process they decided self publishing through Kickstarter was the best way to go. They have made sure much of the legwork was done before the Kickstarter launch in order for fans not to have to wait too long before getting their hands on the book, which they aim to be the start of Q2 2021.

You can contact us via our website: www.readfive.co.uk or email us at: readfivedesigns@gmail.com

Book showcase via our YouTube channel (Read Five Designs):

Read Five Designs create checklist posters and books for fans alike covering movies and popular culture. The aim is to generate a wide range of cool retro books and posters to cover the huge variety of subjects out there and help fans complete their collection. Our plan is to deliver the nostalgia and excitement of holding that Luke Skywalker farm boy figure for the first time through a variety of informative collector pieces in their own right.

###

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I just backed this project, I hope it gets all the goals .

I backed it yesterday, really hoping the same! There’s no substitute to a physical book and one I’ll undoubtably spend hours referencing!

 

[toyman941]

It's a good looking book.

 

[Dagobah151]

There’s more than one group on this. Found this interview with the people behind it. Card back flow charts look really interesting, not seen anything like it before:

About 00:13:30 in

 

[Read Five Designs]

Thanks @Lt__Brenn_Tantor for spreading the word. We have opened up a thread on this here too but am happy to jump between the two to answer any questions.

 

[porkinsred6]

Thanks @Lt__Brenn_Tantor for spreading the word. We have opened up a thread on this here too but am happy to jump between the two to answer any questions.

Thanks Red Five! Question - looking at this interview video regarding the cardback flowchart. How did you determine which cardback exists vs not exists? Previous published work in a book I'm aware of of course is the Kellerman matrix but that is out of date. Are you aware of the continuing effort to update known front/back card combinations on facebook which have documented many previously "unknown" examples? And is that information including in your flowcharts?

Thanks!

 

[Read Five Designs]

Thanks Red Five! Question - looking at this interview video regarding the cardback flowchart. How did you determine which cardback exists vs not exists? Previous published work in a book I'm aware of of course is the Kellerman matrix but that is out of date. Are you aware of the continuing effort to update known front/back card combinations on facebook which have documented many previously "unknown" examples? And is that information including in your flowcharts?

Thanks!

Hello @porkinsred6, We researched all the card backs we know to exist and also added any that have been discovered since. The Kellerman book, for instants, show some 50 odd cards available at the time of it being published. We now know there to be more. We were then able to strip back the card backs to purely printed cards and narrowed them down to 34 cards. With what we know about the stickers that were applied and which card back they were applied to we can make a good judgement as to other possible applications of the stickers. The flowcharts allow you to look at a full set of say 20 Back card backs (both with existing and predicted) and you can see how logical the predicitons are.

Hope that answers your question and thanks for the interest! We will be making some announcements next week we hope you will like.

 

[Dagobah151]

Found this very interesting:

 

[GuardsOnCards]

Found this very interesting:

This book needs to happen!

 

[Read Five Designs]

We are still working through some of our layouts for the variations section and although this layout will probably change (as we think its a little too untidy) here is a preview of what's in store:

 

[Read Five Designs]

More updated on the variations. Still need some tweaks but gives an idea of the books depth.

 

[Lt__Brenn_Tantor]

Star Wars Toy Guide: Vol 1 - Kenner Action Figures 1977-1985

Please don't wait to the last minute to support this project, two more weeks left .

 

[Dagobah151]

Either people are waiting last minute or think it’s not going to reach its target so don’t bother backing at all but if most think like that then it will never happen! As far as I know you back your reward and are not charged until the campaign is successful!

 

[GuardsOnCards]

Either people are waiting last minute or think it’s not going to reach its target so don’t bother backing at all but if most think like that then it will never happen! As far as I know you back your reward and are not charged until the campaign is successful!

I'll echo this! The team has been great about keeping in touch since I backed it and they have a VERY fair price given the amount of color pages and photography.

If you're a carded collector this is going to be a fantastic reference book and will have a prominent place on the bookshelf (or, in my case, coffee table).

 

[Dagobah151]

It's worth pointing out AGAIN that if people back this project, they are not charged for their reward straight away. You only get charged if the book is successful at the end. So for my own selfish reasons (because I want this book) GET BACKING!!!

 

[KlaatuBaradaNikt]

What could be better on a rainy Sunday afternoon than cracking open a book like this and taking a trip down memory lane?

Get to backing!!!

 

[Read Five Designs]

Last 17 Limited edition will be available tomorrow 8th December, 6pm GMT along with the silver edition.

 

[Shawn_Byrne]

I just went in the site at 18Z GMT to get one of the Gold dust covers as specified by your post. All gone. Within one minute?! I’m out. Best of luck to you on the project.

 

[Read Five Designs]

Only a few days left to get in your order. Only available through Kickstarter!

Here we have another insight into the book showing the list of figure packs available from the 1978 Sears Wish Book (again, still work in progress). It shows the depths this book will cover and not only covering Sears but also Alden’s, Spiegel, Montgomery Ward and JC Penny along with other sources for the bagged figures.

 

[porkinsred6]

Only a few days left to get in your order. Only available through Kickstarter!
View attachment 370754
Here we have another insight into the book showing the list of figure packs available from the 1978 Sears Wish Book (again, still work in progress). It shows the depths this book will cover and not only covering Sears but also Alden’s, Spiegel, Montgomery Ward and JC Penny along with other sources for the bagged figures.

Sometimes (everytime?) the red snag box the text was red on the box

 

[Read Five Designs]

Only 69 copies left of the Silver Edition!

 

[TVC15]

Backed! Fingers crossed it will reach its goal.

 

[Read Five Designs]

Backed! Fingers crossed it will reach its goal.

Thank you!

 

[Tobedesu]

It looks so good.
I (or rather the missus) just can't justify the postage to japan.
If I was still in england then it's a clear cut decision.
Good luck with it chaps.

 

[x98lbwuss]

I wonder if this will arrive sooner than the bluemilk book.

 

[handedtorn]

Only 69 copies left of the Silver Edition!
View attachment 370767

I hope I can buy it before it runs out.

 

[Vicfett]

Just backed it, really hoping it makes it! I didn't even know about it until yesterday, looks amazing, fingers crossed!

 

[jediknight49]

Over £101,000 now pledged. Only 2 days left to get onboard.

Really hope it gets to the target as the book looks fantastic.

 

[Airborne77]

Numbers picking up nicely in the last few days! only $33000 to go. Back this project Gents, we want this book.

 

[jediknight49]

Target met. Excellent news

 

[toyman941]

Backed it. Just getting the book. Looks great

 

[JediJones77]

It's hit both stretch goals now with four hours to go. While I was checking on it I noticed someone cancelled their pledge for the "sold out" 77 limited gold edition and one was available again. I managed to switch my pledge to that version. I hope I'm the official last one to order it and get #77! Just have to hope no one else cancels and bumps me down to #76.

 

[Luke9Lindsey]

Got my email saying they made it and took my pledge $

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[TVC15]

I'm happy they (we) crossed the finish line and can't wait to see this book!

 

[Read Five Designs]

Thanks to all those above who have backed the book and made this campaign successful. We could not have done it without the amazing support of this Star Wars collecting community. We can now look forward to getting the book finished and out to you all! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[toyman941]

And we can't wait to read it .lol

 

[toyman941]

Has Anyone heard an update or progress check yet.

 

[toyman941]

Anyone hear anything

 

[Read Five Designs]

 

[Read Five Designs]