Rare 'Star Wars' Collectibles Stolen From Rancho Obi-Wan

By: Dominic Jones

Long time Star Wars fans will be familiar with Steve Sansweet, the former head of fan relations at Lucasfilm.  While Sansweet retired from Lucasfilm in 2011, he remains active in the Star Wars fan community as the owner of the world's largest Star Wars collection, known as Rancho Obi-Wan.  Unfortunately, Rancho Obi-Wan was the victim of a major theft over the past few years.  Sansweet released a statement today, informing fans of the situation.

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Steve Sansweet Recaps The History Of Star Wars Toys Ahead Of 'Force Friday'

By: Benjamin Hart

"Force Friday" is mere hours away and anticipation is building as fans grow increasingly excited to get their hands on all the newest merchandise from The Force Awakens. In preparation for the occasion, Lucasfilm and Disney have looked to the most infamous Star Wars collector on the planet to take us all the way back to the beginning and recap the history of Star Wars toy collecting. Steve Sansweet, the former head of fan relations at Lucasfilm, is now the owner and curator of Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, California, which houses the World's largest Star Wars collection. In a video shared by Disney, Sansweet gives us a tour of the museum and points out several toys from the past six films. You can watch it below:

The Force is strong with these collectibles. Tune in to Star Wars YouTube at 2:30 p.m. PST for a live unboxing event marking the release of products from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Full details: http://di.sn/6186ByR98
Posted by Disney on Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Source: Disney(Facebook)

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Rancho Obi-Wan Announces "Inspired by the Force: Star Wars Fan Artifacts & Art" Book

By: Dominic Jones

Steve Sansweet's legendary Star Wars collection housed a Rancho Obi-Wan in California is about to be commemorated in book form.  Rancho Obi-Wan announced today the first in a new series of books called The Treasures of Rancho Obi-Wan.  The first book, titled Inspired by the Force: Star Wars Fan Artifacts & Art will be feature many of the fan made items in Sansweet's collection.  The book will cost $25 and will be available for pre-order in March and pick up at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim.  

The official Rancho Obi-Wan site describes the book saying,

Rancho Obi-Wan’s 900-square-foot exhibit at Celebration Anaheim April 16-19 will focus on how Star Wars fans through the years have made their own tremendous contributions to that far-away galaxy, and in commemoration the nonprofit museum will make available a limited print-run book, “Inspired by the Force: Star Wars Fan Artifacts & Art.”

The full-color, hardcover 72-page book will act as an exhibit guide, containing photos and stories of scores of the items on display. Written and photographed by Steve Sansweet and Anne Neumann, with design and layout by Stan Stice, the book is intended to be the first volume in a series, “The Treasures of Rancho Obi-Wan.” It also includes a 4-page centerspread foldout that has hundreds of photos of visitors to Rancho and to our exhibits at past Celebration events.

The new book, with an initial printing of just 1,000 copies, is one of several surprises that Rancho will reveal in the weeks leading up to what many believe will be the largest and most exciting Star Wars fan event ever.

The Rancho Obi-Wan Experience exhibit will feature fan objects and art starting in the late 1970s through today, from an airbrushed van tire cover and hand-tooled leather backgammon board to a Chewbacca tissue box cover and bird house, from amazing art mash-ups based on a print by Goya and a painting by Picasso to bizarre limited edition figurines made by urban artists.

The book will cost $25 and pre-orders for pick-up at Celebration will begin in March on this web site.

Both Steve Sansweet, chairman and CEO of Rancho Obi-Wan, and Anne Neumann, vice president and general manager, will be available at posted hours to sign the new book at no charge.

More exciting news about the Rancho Obi-Wan Experience Exhibit and other Rancho activities will be announced soon.

I have to say this book looks fantastic.  I will definitely be picking up a copy for myself.  I saw the Rancho Obi-Wan display at Celebration Europe in 2013 and it was fantastic.  I can't wait to see what they have in store for Celebration Anaheim!

Source: Rancho Obi-Wan

 

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Steve Sansweet & Rancho Obi-Wan Coming To Celebration Anaheim

By: Benjamin Hart

Legendary Star Wars collector Steve Sansweet is confirmed to be attending Star Wars Celebration Anaheim next year, and with him he'll be bringing part of enormous Rancho Obi-Wan museum. As with it's past two Celebration exhibits, Rancho Obi-Wan will be showcasing a different selection of memorabilia from Sansweet's collection, which is the largest in the World. The exhibit is expected to include 300 items in a 900-square-foot section of the main exhibit floor.

The Rancho Obi-Wan exhibit will be open every day of the convention, which takes place April 16th - 19th, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention center. Be sure to head over to the official Celebration web site and get your tickets now! It will no doubt be an incredible event.

Source: StarWarsCelebration.com

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E-Mail Auction for Filoni's Fedora

By: Lillian Skye

While Rancho Obi-Wan's eBay"Obi-Than" raised over $15,500, their was only one problem: eBay closed down the auction for the iconic Dave Filoni hat! Apparently, this is the second time that eBay closed down the Ranch's auction for the iconic “Dave Filoni Clone Wars Hat,” which is autographed by Dave Filoni, Sam Witwer, Tom Kane, and Matt Lanter.

The highest bid for the hat was $860, but, due to the large percentage of people who bid at the last minute in an attempt to win an item, Rancho Obi-Wan has decided to have it's own auction for the hat via e-mail.

Here are the new rules, according to the Rancho Obi-Wan website:

If you’re interested in entering the auction—remember, there’s a current top bid of $860 on the table—please send your email address and the subject line “Filoni Hat Auction” to hat@ranchoobiwan.org. Deadline for getting on the list of bidders is 9 PM Pacific Daylight Time Saturday night.  

On Sunday night, the auction will be open from 6:30 PM to 7 PM Pacific Daylight time. That is when to submit any bids topping $860. At 7 PM we will email ALL active bidders with the current high bid. You will have five minutes to enter a higher bid. This will continue, if necessary, until a five-minute period passes without any new bids. We will then let all bidders know that bidding has ceased and inform the winner. Payment is accepted through PayPal only (info@ranchoobiwan.org) and must be paid within 24 hours. 

If your life is going to be absolutely meaningless without Filoni's hat, enter the email auction before 9 PM Pacific on Saturday. Not only does the money the Obi-Than receives go toward maintenance of the Ranch, but you will have an epic hat to wear to the next Star Wars Celebration.

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Filoni's Hat Up for Auction

By: Lillian Skye

On March 2nd, Rancho Obi-Wan's fundraising auction, appropriately deemed an "Obi-Than," launched on Ebay. The funds gathered form the auction are used for insurance, building maintenance, and preserving the Ranch's Star Wars memorabilia. Art Nouveau, original movie posters, and Star Wars Kellogg's cereal from 1984 are a few of the rare pieces being auctioned. (If you're feeling generous, they accept donations here, too!)

Among classic movie posters and Japanese interactive toys is an even rarer item that Clone Wars fans will immediately recognize as Dave Filoni's hat. A quick google search will bring up an array of Filoni photos from conventions, screenings, and Disney events, yet Dave Filoni is rarely spotted without his trademark. 

In addition to Filoni's doodle and signature, Clone Wars actors Sam Witwer (Darth Maul), Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker) and Tom Kane (Yoda) have also signed the brim of the hat. With five days and two hours left in the auction, the hat is currently priced at $685.01.

Hat's off to the bidder who scores this iconic prize!

Sources: Rancho Obi-Wan

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Rancho Obi-Wan Announces Fundraising Events

By: Dominic Jones

Star Wars fan community legend Steve Sansweet has announced his upcoming fundraising plans to support his Rancho Obi-Wan museum, home of his world record holding Star Wars collection.  Two events will be beginning on March 2nd (this coming Sunday), the first, the Rancho Obi-Thon, is an auction consisting of many rare and one of kind items, the second, known as Rancho Obi-Wan Dupe Deals, is also an auction this time for items which Steve has multiples of.

The Rancho Obi-Wan website describes the Rancho Obi-Thon as, 

"First up is Rancho Obi-Thon, a seven-day eBay charity auction to raise funds for the ongoing cost of running Rancho. There are original artworks and prints, one-of-a-kind fan-made collectibles, autographs, posters, prototypes and many other items. Featured is a double-sided Revenge of the Sith theatrical poster autographed by George Lucas, Samuel Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, Hayden Christensen and others.

Donors include artists such as Dan Bergren, Katie Cook, Doug Cowan, Ingrid Hardy,Adam Hughes, Erik Maell, Eli Rutten, Allison Sohn, and Jerry VanderStelt. Other contributors include Tom Nelson, Prop Store, Paula Rosenberg, Walt Crowley, Gentle Giant, Highbridge Audio, Super7 and Funko.

Rancho Obi-Thon starts on eBay on March 2, 2014 at 12 Noon Pacific Time."

If the Revenge of the Sith poster signed by George Lucas, Samuel Jackson, Ian McDiarmid, and Hayden Christensen doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will!

The Rancho Obi-Wan website describes the Rancho Obi-Wan Dupe Deals as,

"Also starting March 2nd will be a continuing series of eBay listings under the title Rancho Obi-Wan Dupe Deals. These are duplicate Star Wars items that owner Steve Sansweet has amassed over the years, usually by forgetting he already had an item and buying it again! Steve is contributing all of the items for the auctions, and proceeds will go to Rancho Obi-Wan. Each purchase will be accompanied by a certificate attesting that the item is a duplicate from the world’s largest Star Wars collection."

This sounds like a great way to make some additions to your collection!

Find all the details about the event here.

You can follow Dominic on Twitter: @DominicJ25

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Rancho Obi-Wan Recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records 2014

By: Dominic Jones

Congratulations are in order to Mr. Steve Sansweet, who's massive Star Wars collection housed in his famous Rancho Obi-Wan has been recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records 2014 as the world's biggest Star Wars collection!  Sansweet, who's been collecting since the very beginning owns over 300,000 pieces of memorabilia (though only 90,546 have been properly counted and cataloged and thus 90,546 is technically the record) from all corners of the Star Wars galaxy!

On behalf of the SWU, Congratulations Mr. Sansweet on the well deserved, and long overdue honor!

Check out this awesome video of Steve Sansweet discussing his collection with the folks from Guiness:

Pick Up the Guinness Book of World Records 2014 from Amazon here.

And be sure to "Like" Rancho Obi-Wan on Facebook

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Steve Sansweet Bringing Rancho Obi-Wan Experience to Star Wars Celebration Europe II

By: Dominic Jones

The official Star Wars Celebration website announced that Rancho Obi-Wan CEO, Star Wars author, Lucasfilm fan relations adviser and collector extraordinaire Steve Sansweet will be attending Star Wars Celebration Europe II this July 26-28 at the Messe Essen in Essen, Germany.  Sansweet, who is a veteran of all Star Wars Celebrations, will be bringing the Rancho Obi-Wan experience to CEII so that fans can get a taste of his legendary Star Wars collection,  housed in his museum Rancho Obi-Wan.  The Rancho Obi-Wan experience debuted with enormous success at Celebration VI this past summer.  Sansweet promises a variety of unique items will be brought to Germany saying "We are making our selections now, but we will be bringing an assortment of items related to the making of the films and the merchandise, vintage toys that collectors rarely have a chance to see in person, and many one-of-a-kind pieces."  This is can't miss opportunity at Celebration.

Buy your tickets for CEII here.

Listen to our interview with Steve Sansweet on the SWU Podcast here.

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SOLD! For $11,500

 By: Dominic Jones

We reported last week on a huge action figure auction to benefit Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi-Wan Museum.  The collection was made up of 1950 loose Star Wars action figures and it has been sold for $11,500!!  Congrats to Steve Sansweet for raising so much money, and to whoever bought this collection: ENJOY!

Don't forget to "Like" Rancho Obi-Wan on Facebook.

Also listen to Steve Sansweet talk about Rancho Obi-Wan (among other things) in Episode 46 of the SWU Podcast.

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Rancho Obi-Wan Action Figure Auction

By: Dominic Jones

Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi-Wan is what many collectors aspire to.  Now Rancho Obi-Wan is giving fans a chance to get closer to that dream, they're auctioning off 1,950 loose Star Wars action figures to benefit the museum!  The figures, which were donated by ILM model maker Fon Davis, make up approximately 85% of all officially made Star Wars action figures.  The auction closes on December 9th, 2012 at 11:00 am PST.  You can place a bid on the collection here.

Don't forget to "Like" Rancho Obi-Wan on Facebook.

Also listen to Steve Sansweet talk about Rancho Obi-Wan (among other things) in Episode 46 of the SWU Podcast.

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Rancho Obi-Wan Coming to Celebration VI

By: Dominic Jones

For many fans Steve Sansweet's Rancho Obi-Wan is the ultimate Star Wars collectibles museum. Now fans attending Star Wars Celebration VI this August 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, will have to opportunity to get a taste of what Rancho Obi-Wan is like. It was announced last week on the Rancho Obi-Wan Facebook page that Steve Sansweet will be bringing several rare items for fans to see. The announcement read:

"The Rancho Obi-Wan Experience is coming to Star Wars Celebration VI! Filling a large 600-square-foot space on the exhibition floor, this will be a specially curated exhibit of some of the treasures from ROW, ranging from props and prototypes to original art and fan-made wonders. Stop by and chat with Steve about your collecting passions, get your books signed, pick up some special souvenirs, and get help planning a future trip to ROW."

This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of the many treasures stored in Rancho Obi-Wan. For a look a Steve's collection check out the video below:

You can get a preview of some of the items that will be brought to CVI here.

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The SWU Podcast Episode 21 | 1/31/2012

In this episode of the SWU Podcast, hosts Chris, Jordan, Kyle, and Savanna welcome special guest Consetta Parker, publicist for James Arnold Taylor and Catherine Taber. Consetta talks about her career, experience with the 501st Legion, and job at Rancho Obi-Wan and gives her opinion on the Bounty Hunters Clone Wars Arc. The hosts discuss the latest episode, Friends And Enemies, and read your fan comments and this week's Star Wars headlines.



» Right click here and select save link as to Download MP3.

» Parker Publicity

» "Talking To Myself" Trailer

» Rise Of The Consultants

» Rancho Obi-Wan

» Fangirls On Felucia

» The Star Wars Talk Show

» Secrets of the Force

» EmpireFails on Youtube

» Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

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