Posted By Dan Greenfield on Nov 30, 2023 | 1 comment

A TOYHEM SPECIAL! Issue XI (A New Digest) takes a Mego break (of sorts) and celebrates the merchandise from the movie that changed us all…

Benjamin J. Holcomb, Mego guru of the first order (not the First Order), is for the first time dedicating an issue of his fabulous World’s Greatest Toys Digest not to Mego — but to the 1970s merchandising blitz that altered the course of collectibles history: Star Wars.

If you’re familiar with the World’s Greatest Toys Digest then you know that you’re in store for a thorough exploration of a galaxy far, far away. (And yes, that includes Mego’s missed opportunity, too!) Dig the official description, provided by Benjamin, and enjoy a special TOYHEM EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK at the cover (above) and the interior (with some pages blurred because who wants to give away the store?)

In this special oversized issue, we dive into that spectacular summer of ’77 to examine the Early Birds of Star Wars merchandising. Kicking things off, we meet the man who manufactured the very first Star Wars toys for Kenner.

Other highlights include:

— Behind The Toys: A deep dive into Kenner’s Early Bird Certificate Package.

— May The Source Be With You: A tale of “He Said/He Said” regarding Mego, the earliest bird.

— 1977’s Early Bird (Pre-Film) licensees, including Ballantine/Del Rey, Don Post Studios, Marvel Comics, Kenner and more.

— Early Bird Spotlight: Factors, Etc. was one of the earliest and most important Star Wars licensees. They were fascinating masters of movie merchandise… and they were criminals.

–– Epic ads, photographs, facts, cartoons and quotes not seen or heard since 1977.

Issue IX is $16.77, plus shipping and handling. It will be released in December. To order, please email your name and shipping address to benjamin@worldsgreatesttoys.com for payment information.

—

MORE

— The Complete TOYHEM INDEX of Stories and Features. Click here.

— The TOP 13 ORIGINAL STAR WARS TOYS — RANKED. Click here.