World’s Worst Collector Backs Barge!

Let's think back to Toyfair 2018. After years of disappointment and frustration, Hasbro finally had something for those of us who are too classy for 5-POA and too nostalgic for 6". We got to see new figures for the Vintage Collection. Not repacks. New stuff. Sure, some of it was from the Han Solo movie that may or may not be any good, but Yakface! From Return of the Jedi. I want him. I want a Yakface. That made me happy. Then we got even bigger news. An idea that has been kicking around collector forums for years: Production runs for narrow collector-oriented items based on pre-orders. That's exciting. And the first project is something that collectors have been asking for, and Hasbro has been denying. The Sail Barge! And it's... only... $500! Yay?


So here's the thing. I never wanted the Barge. Back when some fans were trying to get a petition together, I didn't sign it. I knew that if Hasbro ever made the Barge it would be too big and too expensive for my collection. Thus, this announcement didn't really excite me. Sure, it's a beautiful piece, and if I had room to display it, it would be a great addition, but my space is limited and Jabba's goons have never been my favorite part of collecting anyway.


I'm a lazy man. For the past couple of years, I've been looking at my cramped collection and thinking about selling all the stuff that brings me no particular joy. I decided to post all my Marvel figures. I gave up on that line when it became clear they were never going to make exactly what I wanted. So I did my research and posted it all on eBay. I decided that if this stuff sold for enough to get me most of the way to a Barge, I'd buy one. More for the community than for myself. While I have sold most of it, eBay is the worst and shipping costs seem to have risen dramatically since the last time I sold anything. Despite my frustration, I plowed ahead. This weekend, I actually posted some "extra" Star Wars stuff that I've had stashed away. If it all sells, I'll have enough to cover a Barge. It's not even the money. It's more a matter of principle. I don't want to spend "real" money on something I don't really want, but this way I can look at it as a trade.


I'm pretty sure when this idea was floated by the other nerds here at Bantha Skull, who know more about this stuff than I do, I was apathetic. I don't care about vintage reproduction cards. I open my figures and play with them. Usually in the snow or in piles of dirt. Packaging is for the trash. I'm also a terrible speculator. I tend to sell way too early, or pick the wrong items (I'm still waiting for my packaged B'omarr Monk to increase in value). But Hasbro's announcement did push me a little. I don't want a carded Yakface. But, even if I sell this too early (which I will), I'll recoup a good chunk of the barge price. But it also shows effort. Effort that has been seemingly lacking on Hasbro's part for the last few years. They care about this line, and, in turn, that makes me care about supporting it. This isn't just an investment in terms of monetary value, but it's an investment in The Vintage Collection. An investment in 3.75" collector-oriented product.


If the worst collector in the world can bring himself to #backthebarge, it seems like we should be able to get this done. I'm not doing this because I want to set up an awesome barge display (though that would be a great reason to do it), and I'm not doing this to sell the barge for $12,000 when I'm in my 60's. I'm going to open the sucker and let my kids play with it. It's a toy. The railings will get broken. Pieces will get lost. The cat will probably poop in there at some point. But if this is what Hasbro is willing to do for the adult collecting community, then we have to show that we want more. A Death Star? Not my cup of tea, but it could be nice. A set of figures from Maz Kanata's castle? The rage would be delicious. The point is that this is an opportunity to not only get something that honestly should never be made, but to show Hasbro and Disney and retailers that collectors are actually a viable market. In conclusion, this morning I put in my order. I've backed the Barge. Have you?

---

comments powered by Disqus