One of the joys of fandom is collecting, and while my wife keeps me on a short leash with the “toys” I buy (They are COLLECTIBLES woman!!) there is a new book out by a guy who took collecting to a whole new level.
GeekTyrant quotes the release:
The book by Stephen Sansweet with Anne Neumann is the book Star Wars collectors have been waiting for — a 568-page virtual exhibit of Sansweet’s personal Star Wars collectibles museum — called “Rancho Obi-Wan” — showcasing 1,000 hand-picked items from the world’s largest Star Wars collection. Accompanying each image — and there are over 1,000 — are historical tidbits, little-known facts, and personal stories drawing the reader into the rich universe of Star Wars collecting. It’s a sugar rush of eye-catching imagery and quirky commentary matched with an engrossing account of one collector’s mission to preserve the merchandising legacy of Star Wars for generations to come.
Back in October ’07 I wrote about Gus Lopez’s home (they have dubbed The Bobacabana) which is entirely a shrine to Star Wars showcasing his very impressive collection and managed to form an online aquaintance with his wife (an avid Lilo and Stitch collector).
When I asked her about this collection (naively thinking they would be offended by this guy’s claim to having the largest private collection) Pam gushed about Sansweet’s influence on the super insane world of Star Wars Collectibles. I was rebuked in thinking their entire home’s worth of collectables was the epitome of their pasttime.
Rancho Obi-Wan is Steve Sansweet, dude! He has the most awesome-tacular Star Wars collection in the known galaxy! It’s not even in his house – he had to build a special collecting barn to hold it all! And THEN he has ANOTHER building to hold the overflow!
The guys has *parade floats*!! No, I am NOT kidding! And he even hired a full time person just to keep track of his stuff.
Pam set me straight, and as insane as Gus’ collection is the real inspiration behind it comes from Stephen Sansweet!
This book is on my Amazon wishlist (ahem.. hint hint)
So much money in the Star Wars franchise!
Looks like a dirty pleasure to read.
I totally just put this on my Amazon wish list too! And Steve Sansweet is not just the owner of the largest Star Wars collection ever, he’s also the head of fan relations at Lucasfilm! He pretty much rocks.
He’s a heck of a guy and a blessing to fans. He has a great sense of humor about it all. I attended Celebration IV in LA and he was on stage the opening night dressed as an Ewok!
CV in Orlando 2010!