Return of the Jedi 48-Back Tusken Raider
Both the ESB and ROTJ lines include what are sometimes called "transition backs." As the name implies, these cards feature early versions of the ESB and ROTJ fronts, but have backs which are hold-overs from those of the preceding series. The above picture depicts the fronts of two such blister card variations as they occur on the Tusken Raider or Sand People cards. The figure to the left is the ESB 21-Back variation, which features what is commonly known as the last back in the Star Wars series; the figure on the right is a ROTJ 48-Back, which was available briefly following the transition from the ESB to ROTJ logo. The fronts of both of these card variations are distinguishable by their printed offers: every ESB 21-back has a printed "secret figure" offer, and every ROTJ 48-back a "free nein nunb" offer. The only figures issued with such back variations were pre-existing figures that had already been available prior to the debut of the new card fronts. This means that no figures which were first issued in ESB packaging (Luke Bespin, Han Hoth, etc.) were available with 21-backs, and none which debuted in ROTJ packaging (Luke Jedi, Gamorrean Guard, etc.) were released with 48-backs.

It is also notable here that the title of the figure changed between the debuts of these two cardbacks. While the nameplate reads simply "Sand People" on the ESB card, it changes to "Tusken Raider (Sand People)" on the ROTJ.

Description by: Ron Salvatore
Photo: Richard Cox
From the collection of: Richard Cox
Country:United States
Film:Return of the Jedi
Licensee:Kenner
Year:1983
Category:Toys / Action Figure Related / Small Action Figures (Licensed)


  


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