Echo Base Live is a Star Wars event that returned for its tenth instalment on 2nd April. Echo is primarily a Star Wars vintage toy trading event as its roots are stemmed from a fantastic Facebook group called Echo Base UK Trading Vintage Star Wars 1977-1998. The group was set up by UK collector Wayne Totty as a safe place for old and new collectors to be able to buy and sell with confidence. As with most hobbies, reproductions are a massive issue these days and having solid trustworthy groups run by experienced people gives new collectors the best possible start. What appealed to me about Echo is it always brings in several Star Wars signers, and this event was no different!

Guests in attendance were: John Simpkin, Chris Bunn, Mike Edmonds, Andrew Lawden, Brian Wheeler, David Stone, Paul Blake and Femi Taylor.

All the guests had a £20 signing fee other than Andrew Lawden, who was charging £15. Guests were also advertising a £5 fee for pictures. My experience was that if you bought an autograph the guests where happy to pose for pictures for free which was great.

Echo Base Live was held in an empty shopping unit within the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in Redditch, which is in the Midlands of the UK. Parking was plentiful when we arrived just after 11am and it took just under three hours to drive from Southampton. Whilst walking through the shopping centre to the event we noticed some full-sized Star Wars displays which was a nice touch, and lots of posters pointing us in the right direction. Echo was offering early bird tickets for £10 but it was free entry after 10am.

On arrival I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of vintage items packed into the many tables in the shopping unit. It really took me back to my childhood days of shopping at CarreFour or Woolworths in Southampton with my dear old Nan and begging her to buy me a figure. She would always say “OK” and just allow me the one, which I would take my time working out which one to get. I sometimes couldn’t even wait till I was out of the shop to open and play with it! There must have been nearly every vintage figure, creature and vehicles released back in the 80’s available to buy here, both loose and packaged. There was also a good representation of modern Star Wars toys and re-issues following the Disney buy out. I am not a currently not vintage collector myself, but I have an interest, and always have. I was there to immerse myself in this vintage toy collecting event which proclaims to be the biggest in Europe, and meet some original trilogy Star Wars guests to add some more autographs to the collection.

After an initial lap of the floor, I soon bumped into some UK autograph collector friends and went about catching up and prepping pens and items to be signed. First up was the ever friendly, warm and welcoming Mike Edmonds. Mike played an Ugnaught in Empire Strikes Back, helped to puppeteer Jabba the Hutt, and also played the Ewok Logray in Return of the Jedi.

I’ve met Mike many times before and his positive approach to fans has been consistent on every occasion, this time was certainly no different. Mike was the first autograph I’ve added in person to my new Ewok 10×20 OPX multi. I had Mike sign with a silver Sakura Pen Touch. I asked Mike about his documentary, Under the Radar. I really hope it’s available to view again soon as I missed out the first time around

Sat next to Mike was Brian Wheeler, Brian played an Ewok and Jawa in Return of the Jedi. I’ve not met Brian before; he was in good spirits and happy to talk about his time on the film and was proud to still be a working artist. Brian also signed my Ewok multi and happily recorded a quick video hello to the Star Wars Autograph News community.

Paul Blake (Greedo in A New Hope) was well in demand for autographs throughout the day. I got an 8×10 Celebration image signed with a Blue Edding paint pen. Paul offered me some options for quotes and ensured he signed exactly where I wanted it. He told me about the image and said it was a puppet that they put acid on the back of to create the smoke effect seen coming off the back after Han fired the shot, and yes Paul Blake will always say Han shot first!

As well as meeting up with fellow collectors I did spend some time chatting with Michael Havens who runs the ICCC show in Nashville Tennessee. We spoke about the convention and about Ian McDiarmid and Anthony Daniels both attending the event signing. Very tempted to go next year and will keep a close eye on dates! Mike had some rare vintage and bootleg variants on his table.

Here’s some images of the vintage Star Wars toys for sale from some tables I visited. I thought there were some crazy prices, but I know nothing of vintage and the current value! Speaking to collectors there that know their stuff, the prices where good compared to eBay with some bargains to be had, if you know what you’re looking for.

Here was something special, a vinyl caped Jawa and yes, it is priced at £38k!

I had to pick up a figure, all be it not a baller figure like the ones pictured above! I went for a loose Darth Vader for £30 to accompany my Vader display

Overall, it was great to experience this side of Star Wars collecting and see all of the vintage figures, creatures and vehicles all under one roof. It was almost like time travelling back to a time where there was a huge Star Wars sale on in one shop, except of course back in the day you could have picked up a machine on card figure for £1.99! Echo ran a charity raffle which I regret not buying tickets for as there where so many prizes that were dished out to lucky winners. There was a DJ mixing original trilogy music with modern classics which was a nice touch and provided a soundtrack for the event. A great atmosphere all round with a good mix of people, young and old, all there to share passion for Star Wars. I have no doubt I will return to Echo and would recommend it to any autograph collector interested in something a little different.

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