Throwback: STAR WARS RETURNS!
In 1997, a year after Hallmark introduced its first Star Wars™ related Keepsake Ornaments, Star Wars™ celebrated a milestone anniversary, the 20th Anniversary year of the original theatrical release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope™. In response to the anniversary year, Lucas re-released the original trilogy in theaters*. This along with the impending release of the first installment of the long awaited prequel (just two years out) once again energized the Star Wars™ universe.
This set the tone for the new Keepsake Ornaments that were offered that year, including a new first in series piece. In honor of Star Wars Celebration, here is the original article about the 1997 Star Wars releases. Reprinted from Collector’s Courier: Volume Eleven, Number One.
With a major theatrical release of the (STAR WARS™) trilogy planned for this year*, STAR WARS enthusiasts are already gearing up to celebrate the 20th year of the original film.
The excitement began in 1996 with the “Millennium Falcon™” Keepsake Magic Ornament and “The Vehicles of STAR WARS” three-piece Keepsake Miniature Ornament set. This year, STAR WARS collectors and Keepsake Ornament collectors are eagerly anticipating the four STAR WARS Special Issue Ornaments that will arrive in Hallmark stores in time for the Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July.
“There’s been a very high level of anticipation among STAR WARS collectors for the Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments,” says Steve Sansweet, author of three books about STAR WARS memorabilia and owner of the largest private collection of STAR WARS memorabilia in the world. “These ornaments will be highly sought after because they’re dated, and they’re only being issued one year.”
The 1997 Keepsake Ornament line features four Special Issue Ornaments based on the original STAR WARS movie. Heading the cast of favorites is “Luke Skywalker™,” the first in the STAR WARS Collector’s Series.
Luke Skywalker
1st in the Star Wars™ series
Luke’s charming sidekicks—the best known team of droids in the Rebel Alliance—are known as C-3PO™ and R2-D2™. The team is so inseparable it’s hard to imagine them as anything but a two-piece Keepsake Miniature Ornament set!
Perhaps one of the most lovable STAR WARS character, the diminutive Jedi Master “Yoda™,” is being featured as a Keepsake Ornament that complements the STAR WARS Collector’s Series.
A dramatic Keepsake Magic Ornament, “Darth Vader™” is cloaked in black and looks every bit the threat that he is to those in the Rebel Alliance. The Imperial Commander’s light saber glows continuously and, with just the press of a button, you can hear the voice of James Earl Jones from the movie saying: “The force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet!”
Did You Know?
- The original STAR WARS movie was introduced in 1977. A major theatrical release of the STAR WARS trilogy is planned for this year, the 20th year of the film.
- STAR WARS trilogy videos released in 1995 sold 22 million units, making it the best-selling live-action video ever.
- A new STAR WARS novel came out in 1991. It jumped to No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in its second week.
*The Star Wars Special Edition was a theatrical anniversary edition of the original trilogy, in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
The three movies were shown in USA from January through March with a monthly interval between each. A New Hope was released on January 31, 1997, followed by The Empire Strikes Back on February 21, 1997, and Return of the Jedi on March 7, 1997, but due to the box office success of the first two (mostly A New Hope which grossed the most of the three re-releases) it was pushed to a week later on March 14.
Hallmark Introduces Event-Exclusive Products for Star Wars Celebration
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 25, 2015) — Hallmark is doubling up on excitement at this year’s Star Wars Celebration with a pair of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments and a pair of the popular itty bittys® plush collectibles to be available exclusively at the fan event.
The two-packs will be sold in limited quantities each day of the event, scheduled April 16-19 at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
An Epic Vision is the name of the Keepsake Ornament two-pack that features Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader locked in a heated lightsaber duel as inspired by the styling of famed artist Ralph McQuarrie in preproduction art for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Nearly 40 years since their creation, McQuarrie’s original visions for the Star Wars galaxy of characters, craft and planets continues to inspire and delight fans. An Epic Vision has a total production run of 2,000 and sales will be limited to 500 per day ($40 per set).
An Epic Vision
Star Wars IV: A New Hope™
Set of 2 ornaments
Inspired by the styling of famed artist Ralph McQuarrie in preproduction
Sales limited to 500 sets per day for total production run of 2,000
Bossk and Dengar join Hallmark’s itty bittys line with a Celebration-exclusive two-pack of the fearsome bounty hunters seen in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
More than a dozen heroes, villains and creatures of Star Wars are now among the iconic characters of film, comics and television to appear as sweetly and uniquely styled plush itty bittys exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown® stores and online at Hallmark.com.
This bounty hunter two-pack has a total production run of 2,200 and sales will be limited to 550 per day ($20 per set).
Bossk and Dengar
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back™
Sales limited to 550 sets per day for total production run of 2,200
Star Wars Celebration News
Although news travels fast, when it is coming from a galaxy far far away… it takes a little longer than we would hope for. Check back later today for information on the limited-quantity offerings Hallmark will be selling at this year’s Star Wars Celebration event.
Artist Insights – Orville Wilson
Take a walk on the dark side with Orville Wilson as he recalls how he “captured” a famous villain.
The Rise of Lord Vader
Star Wars™: Revenge of the Sith™
“When I was creating this (The Rise of Darth Vader), I just kept hearing ‘Lord Vader, rise.’ I watched over and over as the table tilts up and you see the steam and the fog, and you know you’re seeing the transition from the good into the dark. It’s a big moment for ‘Star Wars,’ and it was a big moment for me as I made the ornament.”
Possible 2015 Sneak Peek
Here is a picture of Keepsake Artist Kristina Gaughran working on a Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™ Keepsake ornament featuring Luke Skywalker’s training session with Yoda on Dagobah. Could it possibly be one of the Star Wars Keepsake Ornament offerings for 2015? Post your thoughts in the comment section of this post.
There Is No Try
STAR WARS™: The Empire Strikes Back™
by Kristina Gaughran
Keepsakes Head to Comic-Con in 2014
This year Hallmark will return to Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 24-27, 2014) and New York Comic Con (October 9-12, 2014) with sneak peek previews of 2015 Keepsake Ornaments as well as three limited-edition ornaments available only at those events:
- Wampa™ (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™)
- Arkham’s Avenger (Batman: Arkham City)
- War Machine™ (Iron Man™)
Two Keepsake Ornaments Ship Early for Father’s Day
Two Keepsake Ornaments will ship early (to qualifying retailers) for Father’s Day.
2013 CVO™ Breakout™
16th in the Harley-Davidson®
Motorcycle Milestones series
Scout Trooper™
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™
18th in the Star Wars™ series
Hallmark Reveals Plans and Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments for Comic-Con 2013
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 25, 2013) — Hallmark will make its sixth appearance at Comic-Con International next month in San Diego, taking part in the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. Hallmark will provide more than 100,000 attendees access to Comic-Con-exclusive Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, a brand that celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2013. Other perks include visits with a Keepsake Ornament artist and sneak peeks of Hallmark products to be released in 2014.
During the convention, held July 18-21, 2013, Hallmark will sell limited quantities of the following Keepsake Ornaments:
Wrath of the Rancor
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™
Created especially for event sales, this ornament captures Luke Skywalker’s struggle with the savage creature dwelling below Jabba the Hutt’s palace as seen in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi™. The Keepsake Ornament is part of Hallmark’s commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the film’s release. Sales limited to 200 pieces per day at each event for a total production run of 1,800 ($35 each).
Federation starship U.S.S. Kelvin provided the wildly exciting and emotionally stirring scenes kicking off 2009’s feature film Star Trek. Featuring battery-powered light, this is a “battle-scarred” variant of the same Keepsake Ornament available starting July 13 in Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. Sales limited to 175 pieces per day at each event for a total production run of 1,575 ($35 each).
U.S.S. Kelvin
Star Trek
Man of Steel
Superman
Inspired by this summer’s big-screen adventure of the same name, this event exclusive features Superman™ in the dark version of his iconic uniform he wore while experiencing General Zod’s nightmarish vision of Earth’s future. This is a color variant of the Keepsake Ornament available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores in July. Sales limited to 150 pieces per day at each event for a total production run of 1,350 ($25 each).These event-exclusive Keepsake Ornaments will also be available to attendees at New York Comic Con, Oct. 10-13, 2013.
“We’re thrilled to return to Comic-Con this year as we celebrate 40 years of turning memories into magic with Keepsake Ornaments,” said Beth Dorr, associate merchandise manager for Keepsake Ornaments. “We look forward to interacting with our passionate fans and sharing first looks at our new Hallmark products. We’ll also have fan-favorite activities, such as daily pin giveaways, autograph sessions with a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament artist, and for Star Wars fans, appearances by the 501st Legion, Stephen Costantino and Deep Roy, and an Ewok photo-opportunity.”
Visitors to Hallmark’s booth in the Lucasfilm Pavilion will be able to meet and receive free autographs from Orville Wilson, one of the Hallmark artists behind the Man of Steel Keepsake Ornament. The actors behind Star Wars characters Droopy McCool (Deep Roy) and the Gamorrean Guard on Jabba’s Sail Barge (Stephen Costantino) will also be on hand to sign autographs.
Also making a return are character visits from fan favorites hoops&yoyo. Attendees can view many of the new 2013 Keepsake Ornaments, including Iron Patriot™ and K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, as well as get a sneak peek of what’s ahead for 2014.
A series of collectible buttons featuring five Keepsake Ornaments will be available for fan pick up. The series features five designs, with a limited quantity of one design given away each day of Comic-Con.
An official schedule of all Hallmark fan activities at Comic-Con will be available at the Hallmark booth in the Lucasfilm Pavilion.
2012 Reveal: Star Wars Celebration VI Exclusive Ornament Set
Star Wars Celebration VI
August 23-26, 2012
Obi-Want Kenobi and Ponda Boba
Star Wars: A New Hope™
Set of 3 ornaments.
Hallmark has created a special edition, limited-quantity set, of two (plus) Keepsake ornaments featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ponda Baba (and the hapless alien’s severed arm that can be hung separately on the tree) exclusively for Star Wars Celebration VI. This Lucasfilm produced gathering is scheduled for August 23-26, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
- Orange County Convention Center
9860 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
2012 Comic-Con Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments
Three limited-quantity exclusive Keepsake ornaments with specific fan appeal will be offered at this years Comic-Con International* (July 11-15, 2012) and New York Comic Con (October 11-14, 2012) events.
A daily allotment of each design will be available for purchase at the Hallmark booth at each event.
4-LOM and Zuckuss
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™
Set of 2 ornaments
Comic-Con International: 1,000 sets
New York Comic Con: 800 sets
The Dark Knight Returns
Batman
Comic-Con International: 875 sets
New York Comic Con: 700 sets
Cylon Centurion
Battlestar Galactica™
Comic-Con International: 750 sets
New York Comic Con: 600 sets
Additional Information
*Comic-Con International is an annual fan convention that was founded in 1970. It is traditionally a four-day event (Thursday through Sunday — though a four-hour preview night on Wednesday is open to professionals, exhibitors, and some guests pre-registered for all four days) held during the summer in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center.
Originally showcasing comic books, science fiction/fantasy and film/television, and related popular arts, the convention has expanded over the years to include a larger range of pop culture elements, such as horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. The convention is the largest in the Western Hemisphere.