The Modern Way returns after a long break as Stuart, Dan, Jez and Peter discuss all that has been happening in the world of Modern Collecting over several months whilst they've been away.

From Black Series and The Vintage Collection to Haslab and Epic Hero Series, the team settle in to discuss what they've missed.  As well as discussing the most beautiful Leia Tiki which all the team have acquired.

Stuart shares his love of Conquerors Challenges and their new Star Wars challenges, pretty sure by the end of it we've reeled in Jez.

Plenty of modern discussion as the team gets back into their groove.

Enjoy the show!

Those Old Fossils Episode 22 Vintage Star Wars collecting podcast is now live. Picking up the Pieces!

Massive thanks to Lee Bullock and Mark Daniels for joining Jez, Dan and Peter with hosting duties for this episode. It was wonderful to have these seasoned collectors enrich our discussion. Along with talking about their top purchases over the last 6 months the lads discuss the state of the vintage collecting market in 2024, including tales of how the most recent Echo Live and Farthest From events worked out for everyone.

Dan gives his analysis of Star Wars Tracker provided loose figure prices over the years and discovers some interesting climbers and fallers. Can you guess what they are?

In addition to the hosting team of 5, the lads are also joined by 5 guests, first of all Clint Garniss and Mike Freeman join Jez to talk all about their exciting ‘May the North be with You’ Canadian collecting convention, which sounds absolutely brilliant. Jared Cope, creator and owner of the much talked about Star Wars Tracker pops in to explain all about this fantastic platform which is so much more than just a brilliant price guide. Finally, Nick and Olly Dykes drop on by to talk all about their exciting new venture ‘Oberon Auctions’ which has its first vintage toy collecting auction this week with some outstanding pieces including carded Power of the Force Yak Face and Anakin, plus a sweet 30 back Palitoy Luke X Wing. For their first auction they have some absolutely awesome examples.

Thanks to everyone for the prompts to get another one out!  We all hugely appreciate the support and encouragement. This has been our first ‘round table collecting show’ since Craig Spivey passed away.  Master Luke Skywalker was right though, no one is ever truly gone….

This episode features our interview with Barry Gingell.

Barry worked as a Graphic Designer on both seasons of Andor, he also appeared on screen in the series as rebel Anto Kreegyr.  He is a massive Star Wars fan and provides an enthusiastic insight into the series, sharing details of his involvement and many of the hidden Easter eggs.

This was recorded in front of a live audience at the Farthest From Xmas Dinner on Saturday 9th December 2023, when Barry joined Jez on stage as part of the Generation Skywalker take over of the event.

This show is also available on our YouTube channel, with the video recorded of the interview.

Enjoy the Show!

We Are Generation Skywalker!

Welcome to the third instalment in our trilogy of Those Old Fossils Specials, in which we celebrate Palitoy and the Star Wars products they released between 1983 and 1985.

Dan returns! Pete returns ! And guest hosts Jon Aves and Dave Tree return! As we continue to move through the eighties and into the era of The Return of the Jedi. Dave opens with an overview of what was happening behind the scenes at Palitoy in 1983, then gives us a breakdown of Palitoy’s mail away offers that year. Then the team works their way through the Star Wars toys Palitoy released during that period. Pete takes us through the vehicles, creature and play-sets and Jon takes us through the figures and the various card backs.

Dave sets the record straight with the story of the sheet of uncut Trilogo cards he uncovered. And no, they weren’t use to wrap meat!!!

As well as the items Palitoy released, we also look at the Kenner toys that didn’t make it to the U.K. and finish by discussing the end of the Palitoy brand in 1985.

Along the way the hosts all share memories of the toys from their childhood and as adult collectors.

Enjoy the show.

We Are Generation Skywalker!

2024 marks 25 years since the release of The Phantom Menace.  

Just in time for May the 4th, Generation Skywalker delivers its commentary episode for this land mark movie, described by Stuart as 'the greatest movie ever made'!

So tee up Disney+ or your DVD player, or even your VHS with Episode One, and join Stuart, Dan and Jez, as they take a walk down memory lane for an irreverent deep dive into the first part of the Prequel Trilogy.

Earlier this year, Craig Spivey, our dear friend and fellow Generation Skywalker host sadly passed away.  Peter, Jez, Stuart and Dan are joined by our old friend Mark Daniels, in a show dedicated to celebrating Craig.

The team share personal memories of Craig, discussing Craig's Star Wars fandom along the way and the many adventures it led him on.  The team cover how Craig has influenced their own collections, as well as the wider collecting community, and talk the body of work Craig created with Generation Skywalker and the legacy of content he has left for us to continue to enjoy.

The best thing that ever happened, is about to happen again!

Welcome to the second in our trilogy of Those Old Fossils specials, where we celebrate Palitoy and the Star Wars products they released between 1980 and 1982.

Dan is back! Pete is back! Craig is back! And guest hosts Jon Aves and Dave Tree are back! As we move into the early eighties and the era of The Empire Strikes Back.

Dave opens, with an overview of what was happening behind the scenes at Palitoy in 1980, then gives us an breakdown of Palitoy’s Boba Fett mail away offer, as well as an insight into the psychology used by toy makers with these kinds of offers.

Then the team works their way through the Star Wars toys Palitoy released between 80 and 82. Jon discusses the trials and tribulations of collecting 30, 41 and 45 backs, and Dave shares his passion for Palitoy’s Bounty Hunter Offer.

Craig drops in again to tell us about the Palitoy items that went beyond the toys and covers the advertising and point-of-sale materials the company continued to deploy to sell us those wonderful toys.

As well as the items Palitoy released, we also cover the Kenner toys that didn’t make it to the U.K. Along the way the hosts all share memories of the toys from their youth and as adult collectors.

It’s wall to wall Palitoy talk, and we would be honoured if you would join us.

Join Dan, Jez and Craig for a re-watch and in-depth spoiler-filled review of all eight episodes of Ahsoka.

So much more than just a 'live action Rebels season 5', we explore the back story, the characters, this season's arc and all of the implications for Star Wars going forward.

Cross referencing Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB ratings with our own social media polls, gives episode some wider context, even if the team doesn't agree on every single detail.

It was a thrill to see some of these characters brought to live action for the first time, but who were the hits and misses?

Which scenes sizzled?

What left us colder than a Dathomiri witch's reanimated body part?

And which other long-running franchise did the art direction put Craig in mind of?

Listen along and let us know your thoughts.

Join Jez for this very special episode of Those Old Fossils (Vintage Star Wars Collecting), as he interviews Gaz Bond and Tony Kai from the Darkside Alliance – one of the most successful Facebook pages dedicated to selling vintage Star Wars toys and figures.  

Jez quizzes Gaz and Tony on how the Darkside Alliance came to be and how they constantly seem to source a never ending supply of vintage goodness, so if you ever wondered how to set up and run a hugely successful selling page this is the episode for you!  Gaz and Tony spill the beans in a very open and insightful way.

Never underestimate the power of the Darkside!

Welcome to the first of a planned trilogy of Those Old Fossils specials, where we celebrate Palitoy and the Star Wars products they released in 1978 and 1979.

Join Dan and Pete, along with guest hosts Jon Aves and Dave Tree as we step back in time to the late 1970’s, for a Death Star-sized slice of nostalgia, UK style. Dave sets the scene and helps us understand the landscape of the UK toy industry in 1977 and provides context to the lengths Palitoy had to go to, to convince retailers to stock their Star Wars line ahead of the movies December release.

Then the team work their way through the Star Wars toys Palitoy released in 78 and 79 and explore changes made to a number of the items for the UK. market. They gush over the Palitoy Death Star and try to find answers for long standing mysteries around some aspects of the range from those initial years.

As well as the items Palitoy did release, we also cover the Kenner items that didn’t make to the great British shores during those years. Craig also drops in to tell us all about the early Palitoy items that went beyond the toys and covers the advertising and point-of-sale materials the company deployed to sell us those wonderful toys. Along the way they share memories of the toys from their youth and as adult collectors.

It’s a Palitoy extravaganza we hope you can join us for.

What happens when four vintage art fans decide to pool their resources to bid for 29 pieces of original Star Wars artwork in a high profile auction?

Craig and Kimberley are joined by Will and Robin Arnold – not only to discuss Propstore, art collector William Plumb and artist Ken Barr – but to sit and review each piece ‘in person’ for the first time.

These hand drawn originals, including characters, vehicles and scenarios from the first three movies, were created to illustrate Random House’s 1984 'Star Wars Word Puzzles' book, and make for a quirky, yet stunning spread of images.

If you think some of these big auction lots are out of your reach, this story might make you think again.

(This podcast is also available as an image-rich video here.)