A Visit to the Star Toys Museum
During the Star Wars Mudfest - I mean Celebration - this past spring, I met Thomas Atkinson, curator of the Star Toys Museum just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. After we laughed about my living only an hour away in Virginia, Thomas graciously extended an invitation to me to come visit the Museum. I recently did so, and I have to admit, I came pretty close to not wanting to leave!
By Jody Reeves
Published 1/10/00
The Museum is located in an unassuming house; nothing outside indicates the treasure within. The first impression I had when entering Thomas’ house was – whoa. Thanks to the merchandising from Episode I, two rooms are no longer enough to contain this collection. You’re treated to shelves and boxes and toys galore the moment you walk in.
Thomas led me into the first room, which contains the bulk of the collection. Here, he keeps the majority of his action figures, models, ceramics and ships. Dominating the room is a six-foot diameter Millennium Falcon, which Thomas won in a drawing at the local Toys-R-Us. Action figures from the original series dating from 1978-1985 and the subsequent Special Edition releases are housed in and on glass display cases. Many of the figures were arranged with backdrops or play sets, showing how the figures were originally meant to be used – as toys.
The next thing that caught my eye was the R2-D2 soda display case. These were in every 7-Eleven and Shopper’s Food Warehouse. To make it even more fun, Thomas placed a collection of various R2 cups, figures and models inside the case.
After getting my voice back from the shock of seeing so many goodies, I asked Thomas a few questions –
Echo Station: How did your collection get started?
Thomas Atkinson: It began when I saw Star Wars in 1977, I was just shy of thirteen years old.
ES: Did you begin by picking things up as they came out?
TA: Yes; though I wasn’t able to get everything back then. I later got many items by going to comic book stores, flea markets, thrift stores and conventions.
ES: There’s so much here, and this is probably a silly question, but if there were a fire here, what would be the one thing you would grab before running out of the house?
TA: [laughs] Well, if there’s one thing, it would be the original 1978 R2-D2 action figure. It’s one of my favorites.
ES: Is there any one item here that made you ask ‘What the heck were they thinking?’
TA: It would have to be the Episode I Jar-Jar tongue candy.
Thomas continued to show me more of the collection, pointing out unique pieces like the Star Wars Sand Art craft kit and the Luke in bacta sculpture by Applause. One piece Thomas is proud to have is an original R2-D2 toy box. He didn’t get it when first available, but was happy to find it on Ebay.
Thomas has also found items from overseas – he has a Death Star play set that was released in Britain, a Japanese plush Darth Vader, and of particular interest, a science-fiction toy gun from Italy that has fake Star Wars art that was copied from the original “Empire Strikes Back” theatrical poster.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay all day and check out every piece. Considering that there’s over four thousand items, I would have to move in! If you’re ever in the Baltimore area, contact Thomas Atkinson via his website, www.meerkatmeade.com, and arrange for a personal tour of the collection.
Thomas Atkinson, curator of the Star Toys Museum
The Episode I collection begins here
Artoo? Where are you?
Millennium Falcon
Action figures galore
More figures, including some from the 12” series
Boba never looked so good
Your own personal bacta tank
British Death Star play set
I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it
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