We’re doing some basement cleaning over here, and my partner has a significant amount of Star Wars memorabilia (some of which will go up on eBay).
We have the following item that we can’t really find a description for online…she thinks she got it in 77 when she wrote to George Lucas expressing admiration for the original film, and believes it might be something handed out at the movie premier.
It’s an 8.5 by 11" “folder” (opens to reveal a two-page layout) printed on glossy lightweight cardstock. Navy blue w/the silver/gray Star Wars logo on the front.
The inside foldout lists the technical crew on the left hand side, and the miniature and special effects crew on the right. The cast is listed on the back of the folder and there’s a 20th Century Fox logo underneath.
Any thoughts on how collectors might describe this item?
Hmm… I am no collector and I am not sure what you are talking about, but it sounds similar to the types of things we used to get at the newspaper that were publicity packets for a movie. We’d get a folder from the production company and it would have the movie’s logo on it and inside would be black and white photos we could use in our newspaper. There would also be something like a press release inside and a list of the cast and crew for reference during reviews we’d publish. Does that sound like it could be it? A publicity packet?
As far as I can determine, it is not part of any of the official press kits given out at the time, like what Shawn describes.
It is also definitely a stand-alone folder. My partner has always been meticulous about not damaging anything she owns…all the comics, cards, etc. are completely intact and stored in their own plastic sleeves with cardboard backing.
Press kits usually include photo stills, which from the OP’s description this one was missing. It may be part of the press kit that was easier/cheaper to reproduce that they had extra pieces of.
However, cast listing and technical crews were usually included on s separate sheet of paper, while this one (if I’m reading correctly) is printed on the actual inside cover of the folder. Definitely not standard for a PK.
I have something very similar for Blade Runner. As far as I know, it was only given out at a couple special Academy screenings (I was ushering, not invited, alas, although I did get to see the movie at the Academy Theatre, which was amazing. Not a bad seat in the house.)
So, maybe the publicity materials for a particular Academy screening when it was up for several technical Oscars?
The print logo used by 20th Century Fox at the time of Star Wars looked different from the one ArchiveGuy linked to. Most likely if it’s from the 1977 era the logo would look like this.
