Vintage UK Star Wars Helix Returns to our Galaxy

Hi guys,

Like to share a recent collectors Journey.

Helix are officially revisiting their vintage stationery range from 1978.

Over the past few months the Beyond the Toys Facebook team (Grant Criddle, Mark Daniels, Craig Spivey) have been helping Maped Helix explore their Star Wars legacy and not only, took their entire workforce through a version of our Star Wars Celebration Europe III 'That's no moon… it's a pencil sharpener' presentation, but have also allowed them access to key items from our collections.

The Helix Star Wars stationery (and in particularly the Death Star sharpener) were showcased by the collectors who defined our hobby long before our own enthusiasm bubbled over onto the internet, though – whether it's been podcast features and early presentations at Farthest From (Grant), or the formation of this group and artist's impressions of the 'Empire line that never was' (Mark) or working with Helix to promote their Star Wars association in the press and through their sponsorship of the Gallery in the Galaxy exhibition (Craig)– we like to think we added to myth along the way.

Helix have been delightful to work with and all three of us have been impressed with their whole approach to the project. They are Star Wars fans themselves and they want to get it right for kids, casual fans and us collectors too. Carrying the 40th Anniversary logo, these are not just straight reissues. We have seen some the prototypes and the quality and love is there – contemporary with a vintage sensibility.

Their deal with Disney was finally signed today. Finally we can let collectors know.

There will be lot's more of this story to talk about over the coming weeks and months and The Vintage Rebellion will go into much more detail in their next podcast, but for now we'll leave it at this official release and a quick snap of a prototype of the 2017 Death Star pencil sharpener...

Hope you enjoy,

Grant, Craig and Mark

Such an exciting project.

Massive congratulations to all three of you.

Any idea when the first stuff will hit the stores and which outlets will be stocking the items???

April is looking like the launch, ready for 40th Anniversary.

As its stationary, it should be quite cheap- hoping parents can enjoy it with their children.

Great stuff, and also bound to draw some more interest to the vintage Helix line too!

Also did you say 'prototypes'...? I trust you are going to try and 'bagsy' one of them!

What a fantastic idea. I can't wait to see this line!

Awesome stuff from all involved, can't wait to see this on the shelves of WHSmith and the like very soon!

Yeah- the prototypes are great, they really took on board ideas and concerns and have delivered in a big way. I'm still not sure what we are allowed to say outside the press release (trying not to sound like a cock :? ) but the last time we visited they were kind to give us the first prototypes of the Death Star Sharpener.

The biggest concern was reproduction of the vintage line, but its safe to say that you will easily tell the difference as well as the inclusion of modern twists.

Now you make me want one of those death star pencil sharpeners!! :lol:

NB Anyone selling one??

From what we've seen the range looks amazing, they've really captured the vintage vibe that made their original stuff so popular, and sought after today. The whole Helix team are brilliant to work with and I'm sure I speak for Craig and Grant when I say it's been an amazing experience so far to help see an old line bought back to life.

Can't wait until we can show you more of what's instore.

Wow this is great news! Will pick these up for sure.

Cheers Lads

Heres the catalogue:

http://www.mapedhelix.co.uk/c/2017-maped-helix-catalogue

Oh man this is well exciting Many congrats Grant and the boys. I am so gonna get me one of those DS sharpeners and other bits

Awesome work lads. Look forward to seeing it all in the shops!



Jason

Great job! I'll certainly be picking up a pencil sharpener.

Excellent news and well done on helping to make it happen!

I really liked the pencils

That's fantastic news and it must feel unreal being part of this project 8) Well done guys

******* outstanding.

Cheers lads- please buy loads of this stuff as gifts etc. It needs to sell well.

We have approached them to finish what they began in 1978...............there are 2 other films.

Grant_C said:

Cheers lads- please buy loads of this stuff as gifts etc. It needs to sell well.

We have approached them to finish what they began in 1978...............there are 2 other films.

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I want the gift set when it comes out..and some alone time.

I will definitely have to work a trade or two, with you guys. 8)

Commander Clint said:

I will definitely have to work a trade or two, with you guys. 8)

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Email me your address mate and I'll get a set sent out to you in April. Might be bringing a ton to celebration.

Grant_C said:

Email me your address mate and I'll get a set sent out to you in April. Might be bringing a ton to celebration.

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Grant, That would be great. I'm also planning to be at celebration as well. 8)

Amazing news and all I can say is they're going to need to make a lot of pencil sharpeners! Keep us posted with he release as I'm not sure if these will be available in the US so may need to order direct from them.

Ian

Congratulations. Fantastic news.

Fond memories of the original line, so I'll be snapping these up, once they hit the shelves.
The DS sharpener looks the dog's whotsits.

Palifan said:

Amazing news and all I can say is they're going to need to make a lot of pencil sharpeners! Keep us posted with he release as I'm not sure if these will be available in the US so may need to order direct from them.

Ian

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Pretty sure we can sort you and Todd out no problem!

Congrats guys, a great project and it looks like Christmas is sorted next year

It's great to see a company respecting their product history. It's also great to see the fans involved in the creation of new products and what look like some fantastic designs. I'm really looking forward to seeing these and can see them doing really well.

Guys, will the pencil cases smell like 1977 pencil cases? I hope you've conveyed the smell of 70s and 80s PVC to the right people. This is a deal breaker for me. No smell = no retro pencil case.

Nah, I'll be lapping it all up and cradling my memories of the smells on my own in a darkened room later.

Great idea, great work! I can't wait to see more about it in the fullness of time.