Caswellbot
Sith Lord
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2010
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Hi guys, well its been over a year since I last updated my limelight and I have had a few new acquisitions and have let a few things go so its probably about time. The new limelight coincides with the arrival of my Series 2 Villains set which turned up this week.
I am not really focusing on trying to put together a set of production 3 packs as you can see. My focus is more towards preproduction and oddball/ rare 3 pack related items. I want it to be a really varied selection of some of the most unusual 3 pack related pieces. There are still quite a few pieces I am searching for but in the meantime I hope you enjoy the pics!
All the best. Chris. 8)
My Collection Jan 2014
005 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Prototype/ Pre Production Pieces/ QC Pieces
Preproduction Items by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Individual Pieces
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.
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
003 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Unproduced Prototype Box Flat
I am currently unaware of exactly how many of these Box Flats have survived (at this stage I believe around 5 or 6) but it seems to me that they represent one of the final stages before production began. It is evident that black bar along the top of the window has now been removed as too has the single hole punch. 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 Caswell2009, on Flickr
263 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
074 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
075 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Prototype Empty Box
What is interesting about this piece is that it represents yet another stage in the 3 pack packaging process. The box still carries the single round punch that is evident on the first series Kenner Employee prototype Android Set. However, one difference is that the black bar has been removed allowing much better visibility for the title of the set if one was included which in this case it wasn't as the box has been left empty. This prototype box lacks the cellophane window which is present on the box flat. Perhaps Kenner felt that it would cost too much or that the cellophane would obscure the look of the figures and its aesthetic drawbacks outweighed it protective impact. It is my suspicion that this box represents one of the final stages of the design process before production. The only subsequent change to take place was the adaptation of the hole punch to the hanger tab style.
008 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
009 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
1st Issue 1978 3 Pack Store Display Box Flat - AFA 85
3 Pack Display Box Flat 1 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
3 Pack Display Box Flat 2 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
3 Pack Display Box Flat 3 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Australian Series 2 Droid Set
There is only one major difference between the US release and the Australian release and this appears on the reverse of the box. At the time (1979) the US were still using the Imperial Measurement system whereas Australia had moved to using the metric system. This meant that all of the imperial 3 3/4 inch measurements on the reverse of the box needed to be edited out. At first I thought that these measurement had been crossed out with a black marker but on closer inspection, it would seem that this was done as part of the actual printing process. Whether these were made up in the US prior to shipping or knocked up in Australia is uncertain at this time.
The most conclusive proof came when I carried out some research on the price sticker present on the side of my set. It would appear that “Waltons” was a department store in Australia and at it s peak in 1972 it had 92 stores with flagship stores in Melbourne and Sydney. Waltons was sold off in 1987 and became Venture outlets which in turn went bust in 1994. It is quite possible that Waltons was the only department store stocking these 3 packs as there weren't many large department store chains in Australia at this time.
Hopefully this new acquisition will conclusively prove the theory and creates the definitive link between Waltons and the stocking of these sets. There is no evidence to suggest any of the other waves of 3 packs were released in Australia apart from this second series.
IMG_3199 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMG_3200 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
View attachment
IMG_3202 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMG_3204 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
US VERSUS AUSTRALIAN BACKS by Caswell2009, on Flickr
US Series 2 Vilains Set
001 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
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..
Empire Strikes Back 3-Pack Imperial Forces (Bossk, IG-88, Hoth Stormtrooper) - Star Wars Collectors Archive
IMAG1775 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1777 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1776 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1778 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB Series 2 Bepin Set - Quality Control Sample
IMAG1855 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1856 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1857 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB White Prototype 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/
Mini Group Shot
066 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Chris. 8)
I am not really focusing on trying to put together a set of production 3 packs as you can see. My focus is more towards preproduction and oddball/ rare 3 pack related items. I want it to be a really varied selection of some of the most unusual 3 pack related pieces. There are still quite a few pieces I am searching for but in the meantime I hope you enjoy the pics!
All the best. Chris. 8)
My Collection Jan 2014
005 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Prototype/ Pre Production Pieces/ QC Pieces
Preproduction Items by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Individual Pieces
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.
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
003 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Unproduced Prototype Box Flat
I am currently unaware of exactly how many of these Box Flats have survived (at this stage I believe around 5 or 6) but it seems to me that they represent one of the final stages before production began. It is evident that black bar along the top of the window has now been removed as too has the single hole punch. 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 Caswell2009, on Flickr
263 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
074 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
075 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Series 1 Prototype Empty Box
What is interesting about this piece is that it represents yet another stage in the 3 pack packaging process. The box still carries the single round punch that is evident on the first series Kenner Employee prototype Android Set. However, one difference is that the black bar has been removed allowing much better visibility for the title of the set if one was included which in this case it wasn't as the box has been left empty. This prototype box lacks the cellophane window which is present on the box flat. Perhaps Kenner felt that it would cost too much or that the cellophane would obscure the look of the figures and its aesthetic drawbacks outweighed it protective impact. It is my suspicion that this box represents one of the final stages of the design process before production. The only subsequent change to take place was the adaptation of the hole punch to the hanger tab style.
008 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
009 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
1st Issue 1978 3 Pack Store Display Box Flat - AFA 85
3 Pack Display Box Flat 1 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
3 Pack Display Box Flat 2 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
3 Pack Display Box Flat 3 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Australian Series 2 Droid Set
There is only one major difference between the US release and the Australian release and this appears on the reverse of the box. At the time (1979) the US were still using the Imperial Measurement system whereas Australia had moved to using the metric system. This meant that all of the imperial 3 3/4 inch measurements on the reverse of the box needed to be edited out. At first I thought that these measurement had been crossed out with a black marker but on closer inspection, it would seem that this was done as part of the actual printing process. Whether these were made up in the US prior to shipping or knocked up in Australia is uncertain at this time.
The most conclusive proof came when I carried out some research on the price sticker present on the side of my set. It would appear that “Waltons” was a department store in Australia and at it s peak in 1972 it had 92 stores with flagship stores in Melbourne and Sydney. Waltons was sold off in 1987 and became Venture outlets which in turn went bust in 1994. It is quite possible that Waltons was the only department store stocking these 3 packs as there weren't many large department store chains in Australia at this time.
Hopefully this new acquisition will conclusively prove the theory and creates the definitive link between Waltons and the stocking of these sets. There is no evidence to suggest any of the other waves of 3 packs were released in Australia apart from this second series.
IMG_3199 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMG_3200 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
View attachment
IMG_3202 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMG_3204 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
US VERSUS AUSTRALIAN BACKS by Caswell2009, on Flickr
US Series 2 Vilains Set
001 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
002 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
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..
Empire Strikes Back 3-Pack Imperial Forces (Bossk, IG-88, Hoth Stormtrooper) - Star Wars Collectors Archive
IMAG1775 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1777 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1776 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1778 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB Series 2 Bepin Set - Quality Control Sample
IMAG1855 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1856 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
IMAG1857 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
ESB White Prototype 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/
Mini Group Shot
066 by Caswell2009, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Chris. 8)
