Our good friend Pete Vilmur, Head Of Fan Relations at Lucasfilm, takes a look at one of the earliest Star Wars collectibles — the Majestic Wookiee Mug….
In the main lobby of Lucasfilm’s San Francisco headquarters, a small display of early memorabilia featuring Han Solo, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian has been gathered to commemorate the return of the roguish trio in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Tucked to one side of the display among the action figures, comic books and trading cards is a piece that ranks as one of the very first — and finest — items to ever grace Star Wars fans’ collections.
Released in early 1978, ahead of the iconic action figure line, the earthenware Chewbacca tankard sculpted by Jim Rumph and produced by California Originals is still considered a gem by both vintage and modern collectors alike. Adored for its artistry, quality and personality, the tankard (a term which by design evokes an “olde tyme” air) actually became an early favorite of George Lucas himself, who, according to Steve Sansweet’s From Concept to Screen to Collectible, often imagined a Wookiee mug sitting on his desk while he penned his epic space adventure.
Read the full article at StarWars.com now.
