The Ontario Star Wars Collectors Alliance (OSWCA) would like to invite you to a first-of-its-kind event celebrating the history of Kenner Canada & Canadian vintage Star Wars collecting with special guests from both Irwin Toy & Kenner!
Join us in Toronto on Saturday, October 22nd for panel discussions with key Irwin Toy personnel (George Irwin, Brenda Yonge), Kenner USA Toy Designers (Jim Swearingen, Stephen Geddes) and the hobby’s premier Kenner Canada experts (Scott Bradley, Jim McCallum).
There will also be exhibits featuring some of the most illusive Canadian vintage Star Wars collectibles and we will cap the night off with an opportunity to buy, sell and trade with your fellow collectors! We hope to see you there!
Tickets are limited so order yours today!
MAY THE NORTH BE WITH YOU is a non-profit event organized by the OSWCA. All profits from ticket, merchandise and raffle sales (after convention costs) will be donated to Sick Kids Hospital.
CEO of Irwin Toy
George Irwin started working at the family business in 1972 as a Junior Salesman.
In 1976, just before work on Star Wars began, he became Product Manager and then was promoted to Senior Brand Manager in 1981 and VP of Marketing & Product Development in 1983 and eventually became CEO in 1991.
We are honoured to have George at May The North Be With You. This opportunity to speak with someone with first person knowledge of Kenner Canada history is truly amazing!
Principal Conceptual Designer, Kenner
Jim Swearingen
Spend too much money on vintage Star Wars toys? Blame Jim Swearingen. In 1976, after every other toy company turned down the Star Wars license, Jim was instrumental in pushing Kenner to make Star Wars toys after reading the script.
He started at Kenner in 1972 as a product designer for their pre-school toy lines. In 1976, Jim worked as conceptual designer on 11 of the first 12 Kenner Star Wars figures. He also developed the prototypes for the X-Wing and TIE Fighter vehicles. He was one of the first people to see Star Wars at the first public showing in San Francisco.
Jim also worked to develop the trap door mechanism found on Kenner’s Dewback and Taun-Taun. He was one of the first people outside LucasFilm to see a sneak preview of the prototype Boba Fett costume at Skywalker Ranch. "They brought a guy out in the Boba Fett costume so we could photograph him and get enough stuff to get started on development," Swearingen recalls. "My boss had wandered off with a producer, and I was left alone to have lunch with George Lucas and his dog."
We’re excited to have Jim Swearingen join us at May The Force Be With You to share his tales of Star Wars lore.
Translator, Irwin Toy 1977-1985
Brenda Young worked at Irwin toy from 1977-87 translating English packaging to include French. This included preparing art work for printing using a four colour process that involved actual cutting and pasting. Finished packaging would then be sent back to LucasFilm for approval.
Sculptor, Kenner 1977-85
Stephen Geddes was a Kenner sculptor from 1977-85. He worked on many iconic toys and figures such as Dagobah Playset, Taun-Taun, Rancor, Hoth Luke figure and Ben Kenobi 12-inch figure.
Stephen's Dagobah Playset sculpt is iconic not only because it's a great depiction of the Yoda's home, but because he sculpted in the names of his daughter and wife into the intricate vines of the hut.
At May The North Be With You, Stephen will show all these hidden easter eggs in the Dagobah Playset and will be available to autograph your playset. Plus, find out which other Star Wars toy Geddes added his hidden name to.
Author “Irwin Toys: The Canadian Star Wars Connection”
Jim McCallum started collecting vintage Star Wars in 1992. Jim considers himself a MOC focused collector with a good knowledge on Sears multi packs. Jim once owned the largest collection of US Star Wars Proof Cards.
Jim authored the book “Irwin Toys: The Canadian Star Wars Connection”, the most definitive guide to Canadian vintage Star Wars toys.
Jim is now the co-owner of the largest vintage collectible comic store in Canada, Guardian Comics, and is an advisor to the Overstreet comic book price guide.
We are excited to have Jim join us at May The Force Be With You to share his deep knowledge of Canadian Star Wars collectibles and variants.
Creator of “The Canadian Star Wars Gallery”
Scott Bradley has been a Star Wars fan and collector since he first saw the movie in 1977. Scott created the website: “The Canadian Star Wars Gallery” and his main collecting focus is on items produced/released in Canada from 1976-1986.
He has been involved in the hobby for decades, presenting at various Star Wars Celebrations, writing articles for collecting magazines, supporting various book/website projects and participating in various Star Wars-related podcasts. If it’s Canadian and Star Wars-related; Scott is interested!
Specific panel topics and timing will be released shortly
Registration
Pick up your badge and swag then head into the hall for mingling with other vintage Star Wars collectors.
Morning Panels
Panels featuring early Kenner employees Jim Swearingen and Stephen Geddes. More info to come...
Break for lunch (not provided). Plenty of great restaurants in the area.
Afternoon Panels
Exploring the history of Kenner Canada with George Irwin (Irwin Toy CEO), Brenda Young (Irwin Toy Translator), Scott Bradley (Canadian Star Wars Gallery) and Jim McCallum (Author). More info to come...
Break for dinner (not provided).
Swap Meet
Buy and/or sell some vintage Star Wars stuff! Table space is free, open to anyone and first-come-first-served. Cash bar available.
4th Moon Toys
4th Moon Toys will host an open house at their shop located at 276 Carlaw Ave.
4th Moon Toys
4th Moon Toys will host an open house at their shop located at 276 Carlaw Ave.
Come learn and celebrate the history of Kenner Canada in the Star Wars universe
Learn about the history of Kenner Canada from those who made it
Bring vintage Star Wars to sell and buy some new stuff. Plus amazing raffles and contests.
Hang out with a hundred other hardcore vintage Star Wars nerds
Speakers will be available for autographs (extra cost)
Holiday Inn Downtown Toronto
We’ve secured a great rate of $199 cdn plus taxes at the convention hotel, the Holiday Inn Downtown Toronto. Rates are available for October 19 through October 25th. Rooms must be booked directly through the hotel by calling 1-416-977-6655 and asking for the “May The North” block of rooms. Rooms must be booked by 10/11/2002.
30 Carlton Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5B 2E9
Canada