The Children's Museum of Indianapolis Acquires
an Extraordinary Star Wars™ Toy Collection!
WHO/WHAT: |
Thirty years ago, an entire generation began an unparalleled journey that began with the now famous line, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The thrill of the journey and the love for the 1977 film has never waned. Just in time for the 30th anniversary, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has acquired a 5,000+ piece Star Wars™ toy collection from local private collector Randy Barker.
At three years old Barker saw the original film, was fascinated with its epic battles and legendary characters and began collecting toys. “My parents collected Hummel figurines so I was familiar with collecting and really enjoyed the process. By the time I was eighteen my dream was to open my own museum so that other fans could see the collection,” Barker said.
He collected toys in pairs so that he could keep one set boxed and display the other in mini-dioramas. His love for the action figures, games, comic packs, and one of his favorite items – a life-sized Darth Maul overflowed from one room to two. It was time to realize the dream of having others see the items he so patiently collected through the years and The Children’s Museum was the perfect place.
Randy says, “It will be strange not to see the collection every day and I’ll miss it. But I’m glad that so many fans will be able to come to The Children’s Museum to see it.”A collection of this magnitude could take several years to catalogue. Visitors to the museum will get a sneak preview before the Museum’s collection department begins the extensive process of cataloguing and photographing it. |
WHEN: |
Saturday, June 2 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
WHERE: |
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St. |
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Press Photos:
#1 Jabba the Hut: Star Wars Collection |
#2 Star Wars Collector Randy Barker
and life-sized Darth Maul |
#3 Action figures from the Star Wars collection
at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis |
#4 Children's Museum Director of Collections
Sheila Riley & Randy Barker |
#5 Star Wars collection at
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis |
#6 Star Wars collection in Randy Barker's home
before the move to the museum |
#7 Life-sized Darth Maul figure |
#8 Collector Randy Baker displays the
action figure collection |
#9 Dir. of Collections Sheila Riley and Barker |
#10 Ewok toy from the Star Wars collection |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
For more information, contact:
Kim Yates, Customer Relations Coordinator
(317) 464-6164
No. 07-05-06
Postal Web Page: www.usps.com
1-800-ASK-USPS |
May 22, 2007
May the Force be with you!
U.S. Postal Service Issues Star Wars Stamps
 Indianapolis, IN – Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Darth Vader and, of course, R2-D2 are among the unforgettable Star Wars characters debuting on 15 new 41-cent postage stamps available later this month from the U.S. Postal Service.
An unveiling ceremony for the new stamps will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at The Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian Street, in Indianapolis. Jeff Patchen, CEO of The Children’s Museum, and John McEwen, Postmaster of Indianapolis, will join forces for the presentation. Members of the local chapter of the 501st Legion of Storm Troopers as well as the Indy Knights will be on hand, in full costume, to celebrate the issuance of the stamps and bring the characters of Star Wars into the real world and share the magic with others. The new Star Wars stamps will be available for purchase at the unveiling.
The commemorative stamps, issued just in time to honor the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, feature images from all six movies in the Star Wars saga. Because of the movies’ popularity, it is possible that these stamps have the potential of reaching the blockbuster status of the Elvis stamp.
Attendees at the June 2nd unveiling will also have the opportunity to “sneak preview” an extraordinary Star Wars toy collection recently acquired by The Children’s Museum. Visitors will get the opportunity to view the 3,000 piece acquisition before the museum’s collection department begins the extensive process of cataloguing and photographing the items. Hours of the event are from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
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An independent federal agency, the Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation – 146 million homes and businesses – six days a week and also has 37,000 retail locations. It relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. USPS has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers more than 46 percent of the world’s mail volume.
STAR WARS and related character names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
For more information, contact:
Kim Yates, Customer Relations Coordinator
(317) 464-6164
No. 07-05-07
Postal Web Page: www.usps.com
1-800-ASK-USPS |
May 22, 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
U.S. Postal Service Issues Star Wars Stamps
| WHAT: |
Unveiling of Star Wars stamp and “sneak peek” of new Star Wars toy collection acquired by The Children’s Museum |
| WHO: |
Jeff Patchen, CEO, The Children’s Museum
John McEwen, Postmaster, Indianapolis
501st Legion of Storm Troopers and Indy Knights |
| WHEN: |
Saturday, June 2, 2007, 11:30 a.m. |
| WHERE: |
The Children’s Museum, 3000 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis |
| FACTS: |
Issuance of the Star Wars stamps coincides with the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars movie. The Star Wars saga, written and directed by George Lucas, quickly became an international phenomenon. Phrases such as “May the Force be with you” and characters such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader became a part of American culture. The stamp sheet features 15 Star Wars images, including Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo and Princess Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi and of course, R2-D2.
Members of the 501st Legion of Storm Troopers as well as the Indy Knights will be on hand to greet attendees. Those present will also have the opportunity to “sneak preview” an extensive Star Wars toy collection recently acquired by The Children’s Museum.
|
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STAR WARS and related character names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
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