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Introduction:
Although most mature collectors are aware of these mail-order action figure packs, few have realized just how many were released. In fact, literally hundreds of these packs were issued between 1978 and 1985, and by several different retailers. The purpose of this feature is to document these interesting collectibles, so that collectors who are interested in them can identify what they have, as well as determine what they'd like to find. However, this feature does not cover the many premiums that Kenner offered directly to consumers through the mail. Information about these mail-away items can be found here.
Each pack listed on these charts is accompanied by a number. This is the code assigned to it by the catalog in which it was listed. Not only do these numbers provide us with an easy ordering system, they also allow us to identify from what retailer a particular pack came. The unique numbering prefixes of these retailers are as follows:
Sears (U.S.): 49-XXXX As you can see, J.C. Penney employed several different prefixes; as far as I know, those of the other retailers remained fairly consistent. It should also be pointed out that some packs were issued by two or even three different stores. In such cases, the boxes the figure combinations were shipped in were printed with the catalog numbers of each retailer through which the pack was available. I have only noted such overlaps when multiple box numbers have shown them to exist. Additional overlaps are suggested by the chart information, which often shows similar packs as being offered by different retailers during the same years. Furthermore, some packs were available in multiple years through the same retailer. When this happened, the pack would often retain its distinctive number, even though it was being released in a different year.
This sums up our look at this large and often monotonous area of vintage Star Wars action figure collecting. Of course, the bulk of the relevant information regarding mail-order figure packs is contained in the checklists below, so check them out in order to give yourself an idea of what you have, what you're missing and what you might want to start looking for. Contributions were made to this Feature by Andrew Boscardin, Scott Bradley, Mark Clark, Chris Georgoulias, Steven Lynehan, Jim McCallum, John Muse, Ross Nitkin, Chris Stojonowski, Nick Thurn and John Wooten. The vast majority of images come from the collection of James Boryla, who is always looking to expand his collection of mail-order figure packs. James also sells quite a few Star Wars items, and maintains a web site at SWSeller.com. Thanks also to Cloud City Collectibles for contributing a few images. More contributions can surely be made. If you have any information and/or photos to add to the below charts, please e-mail me.
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Update: June 2018: Well, I finally got around to updating this feature. Special thanks to Shane Carter, Chris Eddleman, Pete Fitzke, Danny Katzel, and Andrew Neo for sharing their collections.
When I published this, about 18 years ago, it was the first overview of its kind. Catalog mailers were known by collectors, but they were generally treated as oddball items. Few had a sense of the shape or extent of the category, and misattributions were common. I became interested in this area through collecting catalogs: In obtaining the catalogs of major mail-order retailers, I gradually came to realize that one could document what was out there by obtaining all the catalogs. Being highly suggestible, and perhaps borderline autistic, I attempted to do just that. In 2003, John Kellerman's great book on Star Wars action figures provided a more complete list, and 15 years later collecting catalog mailers is a certifiable thing. No doubt, the grading trend has encouraged that rise to prominence: Encasing these items in acrylic, with all the figures displayed alongside the box, can make a rather mundane item seem downright flashy. Some stray points:
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