On deck today is the second installment in my TNT collector series. You may remember last month I started profiling collectors and their collections and began with a feature on Gary (click here to refresh your memory). Today you will get to meet another friend of mine, Mathew and see his equally amazing trove of collectible goodness.
As you will discover, just like most collectors (or at least the ones who know what they are doing) Mathew has a very specific definition of what it is he collects.
“I collect Star Wars toys.” He said without hesitation and began to explain why. “it is simply because that is what I collected as a kid.” Like many of us the first movie came out right at that time when we were very impressionable and Mathew, who was five at the time, was hooked. “That was all I played with” he said.
The first figure he got came from a local department store called Kings, he was just six years old and now the proud owner of his favorite character Han Solo. To be more specific, and to use Star Wars parlance, it was the large-headed original version.
He explained that most kids in his area would get a Star Wars ship for Christmas and another one for their birthday. Figures would be given at other times as rewards for doing chores or behaving at an important function.
He remembers being envious of other kids and their much larger collections of Star Wars toys, but he was quick to point out that in later years when he rediscovered the toys from his childhood safely stashed in his parents’ attic, “I had far more toys than any kid ever needed, and I am not sure why I thought I was deprived.” I know why… you wanted more more more… you were a kid.
He recalls that he took extra special care of his toys and never really played with them outside. However ten years ago when he was excavating in the attic and came across them again and discovered, much to his surprise, that they were in very poor shape. “They had chipped paint, broken thumbs, and missing weapons.”
The next thing he told me I found quite surprising, he got rid of all of them. It seems he had no sentimental connection to the actual toys from his youth. He explained that it was because within his bag of 100 figures there were many multiples of his favorite characters, so the attachment to a particular one just wasn’t there. I am pretty certain if they were mine I would have kept them just coz, but each to his own. That being said as you read on you may discover another reason why.
He started really collecting again in about 2004 (around the attic rummaging time) and he decided he wanted to get the main characters in the original figures, but this time he wanted them in really good shape. Now for those of you who don’t know Mat when he says really good shape what he means is pristine and as near to perfect as possible. I joke with him about whether toys are in Mat-shape or not.
Looking at his toys though does prove that he has stuck to that. I have seen a lot of figure collections in my time and I can’t say I have seen a better one, not even mine! Some of you you may be able to match it, but it will not be bested.
So the real answer to why Mathew didn’t keep his original toys? Simple… they were far to beat to allowed in to his now hallowed display cases.
One way his collection is different to most others I have seen is that it is so stripped down and pure. Basically he collects the 3.75″ figures, some of the ships, the large format figures, die-casts, and few other miscellaneous items… period.
In the pursuit of the best examples possible he has no problem buying a boxed or carded vintage piece and then just tearing it open. Some of you are probably hyper-ventilating right now, but remember people it is just stuff.
He is very proud of Princess Leia large format figure as well as the c3PO and R2-D2 who were all liberated from their packaging. His strategy has merit because those pieces really are spectacular.
Notice how gleamingly white that stormtrooper is… you don’t just find that. No that was found by looking carefully at many many different ones and waiting until the right one finally surfaced.
So what is he still looking for? He has all of the A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi 3.75″ figures, “now I am going for the final 15.” He knows it will take a while, both because of his exacting standards and his collector savvy about waiting for a good price. Reality though… that is the hobby, how much fun would it be if you just completed everything today? What would you then do tomorrow? Patience is seriously underrated by the majority of collectors.
Another thing he is looking for… “I am always looking to upgrade my pieces.” A perfect example…
Luke’s belt really bugs him. As you can see, it is such a disaster… R-I-G-H-T!
So if there was a fire, what two things would you rescue?
No real hesitation, “my large format Han Solo and Princess Leia…” or he continued, “my Millennium Falcon and my Empire Strikes Back vinyl figure case.”
Interestingly, Mat is not a completist. “I only want 10 of the 12 large format figures.” As a result there are seemingly significant gaps, but if you go back to his original mission he is right on target. Not enough people do that, they buy things just to have it and then never really take the time to enjoy them.
Outside of Star Wars there are a few other things that have crept into his collection.
He and his wife enjoy Farscape and have a nice set of the figures including some very tough pieces such as this Crichton, Scorpius and Rygel as well as this ultra tough version of Aeryn Sun.
“The muppets are [my wife's]“… yes, of course they are 
In closing I have got to say Mat’s quality versus quantity strategy really works well, and given the constraints of apartment life I think it makes a lot of sense.
I couldn’t resist snapping a shot of Mathew with one of his treasures. Here his is with his beloved Falcon.
FYI - for the Star Wars fans out there Mat has a few items listed in the Toy Exchange here. Point being, if you want some really nice quality stuff you should buy it from him. Click here to see his AT-ST, B-Wing Fighter and Y-Wing Fighter you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to Mat for giving us a look at his collection, and as I said before if you would like to be profiled here let me know by dropping me an email at scifinds@yahoo.com.
Flickr = 24,957
There are currently 51 items listed on the ToyNerd Exchange check it out.
Beautiful collection of vintage Star Wars. I have seen Mat’s collection up close and can attest to just how minty it is.
… just like toothpaste
Great stuff! I can also attest to everything being in “Mat-shape”. (they should add that to the grading scale above mint)
The thing about vintage star wars toys is that there are plenty of mint items out there. And with some patience, you can get 85 of the 99 figures (loose) for under $20 mint, many for $10. Even if you budgeted $40 a month, in 2 years you could have all but the “final 15″ easily.
Practical as ever… hence Mat has such a great collection.
Listen and ye shall learn. Where once you were the apprentice you can now be the master.