No line of unlicensed Star Wars figures is as sought after as the Turkish line known as Uzay. Produced sometime in the latter part of the 1980s, the primary charm of the Uzay figures lies in their blister card art; not only are the card images incredibly cheesy, at their best they border on the psychadelic. To some collectors, a figure like the Imperial Gunner, the blister card of which shows the figure standing beside a cleverly-photographed calculator, is just too goofy to resist. And don't get me started on the Chewbacca blister. Do you think they really have gourds on Kashyyyk?
Trying to complete a set of Uzay carded figures is a daunting task; it might even be impossible. For one thing, the figures are exceedingly rare. Although certain figures, such as the AT-AT Driver and Stormtrooper, have turned up on the collector's market with some degree of frequency, others, among them the mysterious Head Man figure, are thought to be one-of-a-kind pieces....and their owners are often not easily persuaded to sell. Additionally, the packages of these figures are quite fragile; their bubbles, for instance, are made from a very weak and brittle plastic, which often breaks given the slightest abuse. In short, if you're a collector who wants to start collecting Uzay figures, you'd better be prepared to 1) spend a lot of money, and 2) accept lesser-condition pieces when the situation necessitates it. But don't worry, such concessions are made in the interest of collecting high quality, beautiful merchandise, right? Um...right?
Seriously though, Uzay toys are some of the most colorful, fun and challenging items a Star Wars figure enthusiast can choose to collect. Just ask Joseph Yglesias, a collector who has assembled one of the most complete Uzay collections in the world. Joseph has graciously allowed us to showcase this collection here, so that collectors can have the benefit of seeing these figures together, in one place, and determine just what from the line they would like to pursue. Admire them! Covet them! Laugh at them! Wonder what in the world a bright blue Stormtrooper is doing standing in a pile of orange sherbert in the first place.
6 comments:
I love the Imperial Gunner's calculator control panel!
God, yes, that's probably the funniest feature...but there's so much to choose from! The random planetscapes, the Emperor's Guard on Tatooine, the very non-StarWarsy spaceship behind the TIE Pilot. How confused is that Death Star Droid? "What the fuck room is this?! The desert room? Where's the damn door?"
Awesome post, my friend. Uzay!
I've been peeking at these all morning and the fun never stops. The "StarsWar" logo, the way the Klaatu fig (on that first back-of-card photo) is holding his weapon at the bottom, like he's balancing it -- just the goofiness of a blister card having a picture of the toy on it instead of a movie still or drawing. You don't need a toy pic on a blister card, that's the whole point!
Who's this "mysterious Head Man" figure? Does it have to do with Head of the Family?
Oh I know! Like, what the hell is that "AT Trooper" standing in? What is Chewie walking through? It's just endlessly funny! Where's the Emperor's Royal Guard's robe?
I SO want one of those blue snowtroopers.
Yeah, I must admit it's kinda cool!
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