New to the Hobby and need advice please.

[Airborne77]

Hi Gents

I am very new to the hobby and I wanted to ask some advice before I go ahead and make my 1st purchase. I am really interested in collecting the original 12 Back Star Wars figures. I am thinking the best way to start the collection is to buy top items that have been AFA graded and are still in their original packiging . I know they are expensive so it will take a really long time to complete but that is most of the fun anyway.

I have been taking a look at E Bay over the past few weeks and I have been trying to get an idea of what items are good and what are fakes. Please could you advise me on a really good book on Star War Toys that I can read and learn before I make that 1st purchase. ?

My 2nd question is please could you advise on some well respected dealers that sell honest original items ? Or how I go about finding these items to buy. I live in South Africa so it is not easy to get to collectors shows etc .

I am in no rush to start buying but I would like to start researching as much as I can so I don't get burnt with a fake

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks
Shaun

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Hi Shaun. Welcome to the forum

You have certainly come to the right place.

I would recommend the John Kellerman Guide to Vintage Star Wars to you. Is really is a bible for any star wars fan particularly if you looking at starting a MOC collection. Unfortunately they cost a pretty penny due to there production run. You used to be able to pick a copy up for around £100. Recently prices have sky rocketed tho and you looking at £120-150+

As for your second question Id recommend this very forum. Post a Want to buy thread in the Most Wanted section with what you would like and I am sure someone will have something for you

Good Luck in your search!

Liam

 

[Airborne77]

Thanks Liam great advice and very much appreciated.

Best Regards
Shaun

 

[HothJim]

Hi Shaun,

I am a new collector too and have received some excellent advice from the folk on the forum. Much of that advice can be condensed into this thread: http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20904 which offers the newbie collector some useful pointers.

I would suggest taking your time with the hobby, and not splurging 100's in the first few weeks and going forth; you will regret it.
At first I just bought loose figures I liked the look of, but this scatter-gun approach did not last and I am now focussing on completing my first 12 loose figure set before carrying on my loose run.

A final tip from me- use the forum, and listen to the podcast! As I am sure others will have notice, I have been on the forum reading threads a lot since joining (teacher, summer holidays, laid up with minor sporting injury) so have had a chance to immerse myself in the world of vintage collecting. I am listening to the podcast as I type!

All the best pal.

Jim.

 

[Michael Sith]

Hi Shaun and welcome to the forum

Take your time, research the 12 backs, ask questions on here, you will get plenty of assistance from the experts ( not me).
As you ask questions, discuss, and study the threads and limelights on here, you will gain experience and confidence. There are always members on hand to help you out with advice, and from a purchasing perspective you will get bona fide SW on here safe in the knowledge that trusted members are supplying, at very fair prices also. You then need not worry yourself about fakes and ebay scams.

Great that you have posted your intentions on here and shows your going about the hobby in a sensible fashion.

Great forum great guys...enjoy

 

[plantman]

take your time, as mentioned buy the kellerman guide or borrow it at least lol

do a search on the forum topics and post as many questions as you need, the imperial gunnery forum also has some fantastic visual guides too.

 

[pizzathehutt]

I treated myself to that kellerman book december 2008 from forbidden planet in london, it was half price £25 down to £12.50, i noticed it just sat on my shelf just collecting dust not being used so a few years ago i stuck it on ebay mot knowing it was rare, it went for £70 i was stunned and very happy also

wish i had held on to it now, one went for £140 the other week.