jimmyshoes said:
Hey! I've been studying Palitoy ESB for a while and can thoroughly recommend Mr Palitoys cardback guide for a great matrix of what figure/cardback combinations known to exist as well as a great visual guide to the various sub-variation.
I agree with everything that's been said so far. I think there are two key things to bear in mind when starting out collecting Palitoy ESB.
1) Some figures are prohibitively expensive unless you are very rich. A 30b Fett recently sold on Vectis for around £18k.
2) Toy Toni. There are many 45b figures that were allegedly sealed up from old factory leftovers by him. Again Mr Palitoy has a comprehensive list of what should be considered suspect.
If you go into it accepting that there are some cards you'll likely never own due to cost/rarity and avoid the 45b cards, you should be fine. Personally I love the 30 backs as they were the ones I remember on the shelves when I first became aware of Star Wars as a kid.
Cheers
JS
Hey Jimmy, welcome to the forum! It's great to know there's a new Palitoy collector on the forum (you'll find a few of us here). You'll find this site will catapult your knowledge beyond what is readily available on the web. We have collectors here with examples of "one only known" MOCs in their collections and some of those guys have numerous different "one only known" items MOCs. There's some very knowledgeable sorts here, of which I do not class myself as one
Sure, there are some prohibitively expensive examples Palitoy MOCs out there just as there are of pretty much any manufacturer, including bootlegs like Uzay. However, this shouldn't put folks off as there are also stacks available for almost no money at all, including "rare" items! I recently watched a SEALED Palitoy 30 back go for £124. Nope, not kidding. There are bargains to be had whatever you collect. And anyway, you can collect common, cheap Palitoys like BBG and AT-AT Commander on 45a: both readily available for little more than £100 in great condition.
As for avoiding all 45b Palitoy cardbacks: great idea! If only more people did this I could afford many more for my collection :lol: There really is no need to avoid all 45b Palitoy. Yes it is a minefield but there are only, what, three Pali 45b cards on the list? Bossk, TFP and Chewie. 45c are worse hit. But even then, getting out to fairs, handling the MOCs and reading the numerous threads here should give you a much better chance of avoiding costly mistakes. And if in doubt walk away. There's always another one waiting.
