THE DAVID WATSON STAR WARS COLLECTION

Picture this; it's early Christmas morning 1978 and a young seven-year-old Irish boy has just ran hurriedly down the stairs to quickly open the door to the sitting room in heightened anticipation to see what Santa Claus has brought him. 

Before him are many gifts but the one that he immediately gravitates towards is a book called ‘Star Wars Annual No: 1.' As he opens the book and begins to flip through the pages of a colourful story, he becomes instantly engaged in a fantastical depiction of a battle between an evil empire and a courageous group of rebel freedom fighters. For this boy who at that time was being terribly bullied at school, he had found an escape to a ‘Galaxy Far Far Away,' where friends fought valiantly to protect others. Like many others during the late 1970s, life would never be the same.

The young boy depicted in that story was me. Allow me to introduce myself - my name is David Watson. I have the pleasure to bring to your attention my vintage Star Wars collection that has been amassed over a period of 45 years, and is now being sold at auction. 

For me, the story and meaning within Star Wars has allowed me to be brave, bold, resilient, courageous and at times audacious in pursuing and achieving my goals, dreams and ambitions. 

My vintage Star Wars collection which includes my original figures, ships, toys, games, books and a whole lot more, means a great deal to me. Of particular note is the handwritten letter I received from Antony Daniels (The actor who portrayed C-3PO) explaining how his character was brought to life in the movies, it’s made all the more special by the fact that it is on letterheaded paper with the movie’s title as ‘REVENGE OF THE JEDI’. This movie title has become part of Star Wars lore as the title would be changed by George Lucas before being finally released to cinema screens worldwide as ‘RETURN OF THE JEDI’.

What makes the collection special is the fact that its origins come from a place of 'love.' Were it not for my wonderful, departed parents Margaret and Bobby Watson I would not have been able to collect so many wonderful pieces. It was their love for son who beamed with excitement on every trip to Hanna’s Toy Store in Enniskillen every two weeks during the late 1970s and through to the mid-1980s, that enabled this collection to begin.

As with every great story there must be an ending. So, why have I chosen to let this amazing collection be purchased by others? Well, sadly I had to say goodbye to my mother in 2015 and my father a short time later in 2017. Losing them taught me a valuable lesson that sometimes to overcome our lowest moments of deepest despair, we must ‘let go’. Thus, I have made the decision that the time is right to allow my collection be enjoyed by others from all around the world.

Every piece in the collection has been meticulously cared for and stored safely. I know this isn't the 'world’s best Star Wars collection,' but it is my collection, and it is my deepest wish that the collection will bring as much joy and fun into the lives of its new owners as it did me throughout my Lifetime collecting it.

To all my fellow Star Wars fans - May The Force Be With You!

David Watson

View David's collection HERE