R5-D4 proof card & cromalin run

[olisuds]

Here's a an update for my R5-D4 proof card and cromalin run.

The R5-D4 card back has always been one of my favourites. The photo depicts a classic Star Wars scene with other major characters like Luke Skywalker, Jawa and R2-D2. Most of the known proof cards and cromalins are one of a kind so it's been a challenge putting together this run. Hopefully one day I'll pick up the remaining pieces and complete the run but i'm happy with what I've acquired so far, particularly knowing that this includes all of the known offerless R5-D4 proof cards.

Top Row:
ESB 41 back sample card (1 of 2 known)
ESB 45 back proof card (1 of 2 known)
ESB 47 back sample card (1 of 1 known)
ESB 48a back sample card (1 of 1 known)

Middle Row:
RevOTJ 48 back proof card (1 of approx 50 known)
RevOTJ of the Jedi 48 back name plate mock-up (1 of 1 known)
ROTJ 65 back proof card (1 of 1 known)
POTF 92 back sample card (1 of 1 known)

Bottom Row:
RevOTJ offerless cromalin (1 of 1 known)
ROTJ offerless cromalin (1 of 1 known)

If anyone can help with the whereabouts of the ESB 48c proof card or the POTF cromalin please let me know.

Thanks for looking

 

[Mr-shifter]

Hi Oli

Thanks for sharing. Nice collection you have there. Just a quick question about the photo sample. I take it that it is a standard production figure, or is it any different, and do they have a way of identifying it as the photo sample other than the providence it obviously came with to be graded as such.

 

[Grant]

Love your run Oli. Still owing ya a PM.

 

[olisuds]

Hi Oli

Thanks for sharing. Nice collection you have there. Just a quick question about the photo sample. I take it that it is a standard production figure, or is it any different, and do they have a way of identifying it as the photo sample other than the providence it obviously came with to be graded as such.

Thanks Stuart. Yes you are correct, this photo sample is effectively a production like figure. Both provenance and visual evidence are important in identifying a photo sample. This specific example came direct from the Kenner photographer and has been matched to the card backs using high resolution photographs.

High resolution picture of Photo Sample figure

High res photo of 65 back figure grouping

High res photo of 77 back figure grouping

High res phot of 92 back figure grouping

High res photo of 32 figure catalogue grouping

Of course some photo sample figures, particularly on the earlier cardback releases are pre production and may be first shots, protomolded figures or even hardcopies.

The R5-D4 used for earlier cardbacks had a rough silk screen sticker and a protomolded and handpainted dome. Unfortunately it was destroyed when the sticker became damaged and was replaced with my example.

And of course before this on some of the earlier European Catalogues a mock up R5-D4 figure was used.

 

[JuniorChubb]

Nice Oli, some quality pieces there, love the Arfive Defour

Thanks for sharing, but next time, SWFUK first please :wink:

Edit: Just read the photo sample info and was wondering about that myself, great story and piece, the winking R5.

 

[Mr-shifter]

Thanks for the info Oli,

I assumed as you said it was used for the later cardbacks it wouldn't be pre production since it had been in production for a few years already and it seemed unnecessary to use a first shot or hardcopy here.

Im not a big fan of grading, but in an instance like this having the piece differentiated from the normal pieces is essential. I sort of figured if it was a production figure the route back to the photographer would be an essential piece of evidence.

Did it come from Kim Simmons, or was it an different photographer.

 

[olisuds]

Yeah that's right although the initial prototype was used up until the 48 back. If the sticker hadn't become damaged there's no reason why it couldn't have been used further for the ROTJ and POTF card backs.

I'm not a big fan of grading either. This is the only piece I own that is graded. I just felt that with it being a production like figure and relying on provenance and high res pics to authenticate, it was better to have it encased with a COA from someone I trust.

The figure was in a huge lot of photo samples that Tom Derby bought directly from Kim.

It's not strictly correct to call it pre production since it's a production like figure. Although QC stuff also seems to get lumped into the pre production category. I guess you could classify it as "internal Kenner". Since there are no known figural prototypes existing for R5-D4 this was a significant piece for me and unlike some other photo samples it was easily identifiable from the photos.

 

[olisuds]

Sorry Ben, just noticed I called you Stuart! It could have been worse though :lol:

 

[Mr-shifter]

Sorry Ben, just noticed I called you Stuart! It could have been worse though :lol:

That's ok mate. Funnily enough a couple of people have done that. He wishes he could be me.

Although not pre production the piece certainly is unique. I agree with you on the grading for this, albeit through gritted teeth

Works really well as a showcase, especially since you have the relevant proofs that it has featured on.

 

[olisuds]

Love your run Oli. Still owing ya a PM.

No worries fella, take your time - I probably didnt have anything important to say anyway And your not as slow at responding to PMs as me :lol:

Thanks for sharing, but next time, SWFUK first please :wink:

Yeah poor form on my behalf :lol: I had an old limelight here a while ago but the photos are hosted on RS and not showing up now. Most people have probably seen them before but I'll get them up on here soon just in case.

 

[andy x-wing pilot]

Great run of R5's Oli.
Cu at FF Stuart

 

[itfciain]

Very nice - you don't see to many focuses on this little bugger (probably because there isn't that much out there)

Considering the amount of time he got in the film then I guess he was lucky to be a figure in the first place !!

 

[olisuds]

Thanks Iain. R5-D4 has always been one of my favourite characters but the lack of pre production stuff was what always put me off. Now I've been lucky enough to pick up a few pieces I feel I'm on my way to building something decent. I've been tempted on several occasions to collect the foreign stuff but I'll leave that until I'm satisfied with my pre production run.

Old Red had a more significant part in the film than some of the other droids and of course if R5 hadn't blown his motivator Star Wars would have been a very different story :lol:

 

[JuniorChubb]

Old Red had a more significant part in the film than some of the other droids and of course if R5 hadn't blown his motivator Star Wars would have been a very different story :lol:

Wasn't he a Jedi in the EU :?

Well Force aware at least...

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

WOW Oli.

My Jaw dropped to the floor in awe mate

Tremedous stuff! I am going back for another look.

8) 8)

 

[Stormtrooper37]

Fantastic pieces :shock:

 

[Frunkstar]

Really stunning run you've put together already Oli, one of my fave figures, dam shame the other photo sample figure was destroyed, what a loss, but the one you have is deffo the cream of the crop for me, I spot the proto PD just getting a glimpse, be fantastic to find those mock up one of both these droids & the insect headed DSD, do you know if they still exist Oli?

 

[olisuds]

Yeah unfortunately my "production like" photo sample is the only one to survive. The earlier pre production sample and mock up before that have never turned up. As far as I know the Death Star Droid mock up with bug eyes is the only one from the early European catalogues known to exist.

 

[Frunkstar]

Thats such a shame Oli, be amazing if they ever turned up, think I may have to have a go at modeling one of the kit bashed PD's together myself, its long overdue me getting some more custom work in the pipeline.

Any chance you could pm me the image please.

 

[olisuds]

It's not the same one but there's this