Collecting Diary 2003-12-23

Episode I Bootlegs

Stocking stuffers from the dollar store? That's what I was out shopping for! Instead, I happened upon this little stash of Episode I bootleg merchandise. What a bargain for only $1.00 each!

The first piece I ran into was what looked like an odd colored Queen Amidala treasure keeper. From across the room, it just looked odd. Figuring it was just discolored from years in a dollar store, I shopped on and ran into the rest of the bootleg goods. Curious, I doubled back and re-examined Amidala. No manufacturer marks, and the paint was brittle and shiny! Suspicious, I threw one in my basket. Sure enough, when I got home I began comparing. This one is slightly smaller, missing the gold paint on the hair pieces, and the hook is smaller. Definately not the same as the licensed merchandise! Since I just got my new glasses today, I patted myself on the back for being able to see again! What a find!

The 3-D magnetic phone books didn't require up-close examination. The Yoda-in-Oda Gunga, Amidala-in-Oda Gunga, and Jar Jar-in-Space images were enough to determine on-the-spot that Lucasfilm Licensing would not have let the art out into production with such blatent scene/plot errors. Nonetheless, another great find of unique goodies.