Ok here we go. It was pretty tough to decide between certain pieces even though I only have 9 items to choose from but here you go anyway:
5. Series 1 Unproduced Prototype Box Flat
I believe only about 5 or 6 of these box flats survived and one of those was lost in transit to me some time ago.) This box flat represents one of the final stages before production began. Strangely, this box flat has a sellophane window on the front of the box which shows that Kenner obviously considered a window on the shadow box to provide further protection to the bubbles. In all honesty, it probably would have provided little protection. The only other change to be made now to the box would be the introduction of the hanger tab style punch.
260 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
262 by
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263 by
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074 by
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075 by
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4. ESB Series 2 Bepin Set - Quality Control Sample
As far as I know there are only 2 QC Sample 3 packs in the world. This one and a Star Wars series 2 Creature Set. This is the only version with a sign off sticker which as you can see has been signed off by Don Huler. (11th Sept 1981)
IMAG1855 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1856 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1857 by
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3. Series 1 Kenner Employee Prototype Android Set
This set represents a stage very close to production where only fairly minor changes needed to be made. Such changes included the adaptation of the single round punch to the better known and more functional Hanger Tab style. This insured standardisation across the Star Wars action figure line. Another feature to be removed was the black bar along the top of the window which was seen to obscure the view of the title for the "Android Set." There is evidence of marker pen on the box in the bottom left corner and on the top right of the outer window. It is not known where this originates from or whether it was done at Kenner or afterwards. I would suspect afterwards. This set originates from a previous Kenner employee.
002 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
003 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
2. ESB White Prototype Engineering Pilot Test Package - Rebel Set
The purpose of this packaging style was to test the dimensions of the box prior to printing. The box has no text and the bubble/ window is hand glued without the standard kenner production "Waffle Pattern." This set is one of 2 known examples in the world. Similar prototypes were produced for the other sets in this third series run. (Imperial set and Bespin Set) These plain white packaged prototypes are also often referred to as Engineering Pilots.
006 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42329595@N07/7892768732/in/photostream/
1. ESB Series 1 - Canadian Imperial Forces Set
This particular set originates from Simpsons and it still has the price sticker on the side of the pack. Canadian 3 Pack sets are notably much more scarce than their US counterparts. In this case, as far as I can tell, only 2 examples of this set have surfaced so far and this is the nicer of the 2. The reason being, is that these sets were only available in small quantities to certain department stores who signed up to the department store programme. There are a number of key differences between the US and Canadian sets.
You can see some of the differences by checking the link to the SWCA where this set is pictured at the bottom of the page and there is a link to the US vserion in the text..
http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=62555
IMAG1775 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1777 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1776 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1778 by
Caswell2009, on Flickr
Thanks for looking! Chris.