Photoart for Action Figure Spread from 1981 Kenner Toy Fair Catalog: The above piece was the original master used to produce the two page spread from Kenner's Toy Fair Catalog from 1981. This piece of photoart consists of a high quality photograph mounted on a thick piece of presentation board. Usually an artist at Kenner would use an airbrush to physically alter photographic elements directly on the photo; in today's toy industry most tasks like this are done digitally with programs like Photoshop. A hand written line on the bottom notes how the photo should be reduced in size to be used in the catalog and a few other notes.

Its interesting to note that a number of the figures used in this photo are early pieces; the figures from the 41-Back series are hand-painted hardcopies. The Leia and Rebel Commander in particular (it might be tough to see from the photo) have flesh painted hands instead of the "gloves" used on the production figures.

Pieces like these are quite interesting and give an interesting insight into just how much work went into every piece of literature Kenner printed. For collector Broc Walker who focuses on 41-Back release items, it's quite a treat.

Description: Steve York
Photo: Broc Walker
From the Collection of Broc Walker