The Toltoys ESB Vader Large Size Action Figure
Thanks to the great detective work of Bill McBride over at the Darth Vader Toy Museum we now have conclusive proof that persistent rumors of ESB boxed characters (other than Boba Fett and IG-88) being released at retail in Australia were true!
Ever since I started collecting I’ve been aware of stories about people who claim to have purchased ESB boxed examples of Vader, Stormtrooper and R2-D2 at retail in the early 80’s, combinations that should not exist since the line was cancelled after the release of the Fett and IG-88 mentioned above. Bill’s discovery proves that specific and different boxes were produced for at least Vader in Australia, ruling out suggestions that the examples discovered here were simply unreleased Kenner salesman samples or made up box-flats or similar.
Toltoys went to the trouble of producing three Toltoys branded figures for the Star Wars line, so couldn’t they have at least test-marketed some of the more popular characters in ESB livery? Stranger things have happened down here that’s for sure.
Check out Bill’s site above for all the details on how to spot the real thing, plus more than you ever thought you needed to know about the big man in the black hat.
The hunt is now on for the rest of the crew!
Cheers,
Will
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