This is where it all began, the first production cardback to hit retail. It is identified against other 12 back kenner cards by having a very short saber tip in the graphics. I refer to it as "First issue short (1mm) saber tip"
A revision to the first issue 12A, this cardback gives a slightly longer 3mm saber tip (instead of hardly any tip on the 12A) in the graphic explaining how to work the "Light Saber".
A revision to the 12B, this cardback changes the instructions for how to use the lightsaber and now suggests to "pull saber out" instead of "push arm lever". Perhaps this coincides with the retirement of DT sabers in favour of the single piece sabers that would continue for the rest of time.
This cardback is a sticker variation of the 12 back card. A colourful sticker is applied to the lower portion that shows additonal figures now available from the ESB range, and encourages you to now "collect all 32". The image shows this sticker applied to a 12B card, but I am not sure if it is exclusive to this. In Star Wars Tracker, the presence of the sticker is enough to denote it a 12D categorization.
The first in a new wave of Kenner Star Wars cardbacks that now include 8 figures beyond the first 12. One way to distinguish this from the other 20 back cards is the prototype Cantina and Land of the Jawas playsets. Actual production playsets ended up being slightly different.
This cardback is very similar to the previous 20A, however the keen eye will note the differentiating detail being the Cantina and Land of the Jawas playsets are now the recognized production versions.
It all begins here - the first appearance of the now infamous "rocket firing boba fett". This cardback dedicates most of the top half of the cardback for the promotion of this new action figure. It would ultimately disappoint a complete generation of youngsters, whilst simultaneously giving rise to one of the most recognized holy grail pieces in this hobby.
After an enticing glimpse of the rocket firing mechanism from the new Boba Fett figure on the 20C, the 20D cardback is basically "damage control" on what would otherwise turn out to be false advertising. An attempt to reset expectations for the new figure are made by applying a black sticker over the firing mechanism image.
This is probably the most common Boba Fett Star Wars offer cardback with a vibrant yellow sticker covering up the rocket firing mechanism from the 20C. The sticker is known with both round and square corners.
The first of many "special offer extended" variations to redeem your proof-of-purchase seals for the Boba Fett figure. This one extends the offer to end of March 1980 via a round sticker on the all-black sticker from the 20D.
Another "special offer extended" variation to redeem your proof-of-purchase seals for the Boba Fett figure. This one extends the offer to end of March 1980 via a round sticker which is placed over the yellow Boba Fett description sticker.
Another "special offer extended" variation. This one further extends the free Boba Fett promotion, with a new expiry date of 31st Dec 1980. The new deadline is provided on an additional "square" sticker, right on top of the earlier dated "round" sticker.
Another "special offer extended" variation. This one further extends the free Boba Fett promotion. A square sticker with an expiry date of 31st Dec 1980 is placed over the black "cover up sticker" of the 20D.
Yet another "special offer extended" variation. This one is characterized by the square red sticker on the yellow Boba Fett sticker. The offer is extended to 31 Dec 1980.
This Kenner 20 back card has a sticker applied to the top half for a new promotion. The "secret action figure" is not revealed, but it does indicate it is from the new Empire Strikes Back movie.
This is the first 21 back card - Boba Fett is now in the figure line up with all the others. One of the main ways I use to tell this from the other similar 21 back - this one has the collector case in the first row on the left of the other items.
This cardback now advertises a range of 77 figures. It is probably the most common cardback in the Kenner range. Besides the 77 figures on the now classic "yellow staircase", this cardback is easily identified by the Jedi accessories on the lower half of the cardback such as the Rancor Monster and Rebo band.
The second of five Kenner 65 backs, this one now unveils the two previously *blacked out* ewoks. Enter Logray and Chief Chirpa!
The first of five Kenner 65 backs, this one is characterized by the two ewok figures *blacked out* by shapeless silhouettes. This is the first cardback to introduce the first major wave of new Return of the Jedi figures.
This cardback is the first of the Return of the Jedi series - announcing a new figure "Nien Nunb" as a special offer.
Very similar to the 77A, this cardback now features the additional two ewoks - Lumat and Paploo. Comparatively, 79 backs are harder to find than 77 backs, but still not particularly rare. For some reason, a lot of the 79 backs seem to originate from Australia.
This cardback includes Yoda as the 32nd figure, and is most easily distinguished from a 32A by the presence of the Darth Vader Collectors Case at the bottom right hand corner.
Known as a "tri-logo" cardback, this card features multiple languages but is often mistakenly referred to as a 79 back. Have you ever looked closely at the cardback - the numbers do go up to 79, but the number sequence jumps over certain slots! Some cardbacks only make sense when seen with the front and this is one of them. You know a 70B (as compared with a 70C) if the front has the lower left copyright text as white on the black background.
The famous 92 back that most of us base a complete set of loose figure run on. This is the very last production cardback produced. These are a favourite with most collectors due to the coin being added to the package. Some of the rarest POTF issued carded figures seem to only have appeared in Australia such as Anakin, Gammorean Guard, AT-AT driver and Nikto. Note, Yak Face does not appear on this cardback, but only on the Canadian version.
This cardback is similar to other tri-logo cards and only makes sense in the context of the front. The 70D was produced for the last 17 figures. The easiest way to identify this cardback is the presence of a big "barcode" on the front top-right corner.
This 65 back has a free "Anakin Skywalker" offer sticker applied across the lower half of the card (and a circular offer sticker on the cardfront).
The first of several Palitoy 65 backs, this version has the Nien Nunb mail away offer, and is also known by having 5 lines of copyright text in the lower left hand corner.
This cardback now advertises 45 figures and is unique for the "display arena" mail away offer.
This cardback is more or less the same as the 45A, except the promotional offer has been extended to 31st July 1982 with a sticker applied over the original printed end date. These very rarely come up, so always look for this tiny detail when you see a 45 back!
This 41 back can be identified easily compared to other 41 backs by the with the figures being in individual photos, and the Darth Vader carry case included in the accessories image.
This 48 back has a sticker applied to the lower half for the "free Admiral Ackbar" figure offer. This cardback is also famous for advertising the final movie in the trilogy with the "Revenge" of the Jedi title.
This 41 back is the "twin" of the 41B. The difference here is that all the available figures are now in a group shot together (instead of individual figure boxes). Again, the Darth Vader carry case in the left accessories image helps to clarify this version further.
Similar to the 48B cardback, this time the Admiral Ackbar "Revenge of the Jedi" offer is part of the printed cardback (instead of being a sticker applied to the bottom half).
This 65 back has a mail away offer for "The Emperor". The offer is part of the printed card, having a lower right triangular promo on the card front, and the offer explained on the lower half of the card back.
This is the first empire strikes back card. This version continues to advertise the already released 21 figures, but also now contains a printed offer for a "secret star wars action figure". The previous "secret" and "Bossk" sticker promotion variations are likely to have co-incided with the retail release of this cardback.
This cardback is similar to the 21G, except a rectangle offer extension date sticker has now been applied for the secret action figure. The offer is extended till end of December 1980.
This cardback is similar to the 21G, except a large round offer extension date sticker has now been applied to the top half of the card. The sticker is now quite explicit about "BOSSK" being the secret figure.
One of several Kenner 41 back cards. The stand out features of this cardback are the hoth figure accessories. This is very similar to the 41C, except the figures are in a group photo instead of individual boxes.
This cardback now advertises 47 figures. It also promotes a special offer for "4-LOM" on the bottom half of the card.
The second of the Palitoy 65 backs, this version is very similar to the 65A, continuing with the Nien Nunb mail away offer. However, this version has only four lines of copyright text in the lower left (instead of 5 lines on the 65A).
This 31 back is similar to the 31A, but easily differentiated by the presence of the Darth Vader carry case in the lower right hand corner.
This is the first release 31 back and is easily identified from the 31B by the presence of the Millennium Falcon ship in the bottom centre of the card.
This is another of several Kenner 41 backs. It is most similar to the 41E back in terms of the Hoth playsets and vehicles, however it is one of the very last cardbacks where we will see each figure photographed in their own box.
This is the very first Return of the Jedi cardback. This carries over the previous 48 figures from the empire cardbacks, but has a free figure offer for "Nien Nunb".
This cardback contains the "secret action figure offer" sticker with an additional "offer extended" square sticker. The extension is till end of December 1980 and is the same sticker used on the 20 backs for the Bobafett time extension.
This cardback contains the "secret action figure offer" sticker on the lower half of the card, with the addtion of a large round offer extended sticker naming "BOSSK" as the secret figure.
This cardback shows all 21 figures available at the time. A quick way to tell this apart from the similar 21A is by the "Land of the Jawas" playset on the left in the lower half of the card that advertises the other sets.
This is the first of several Star Wars 21 back variations that has a sticker covering the bottom half advertising a free "secret action figure" as a mailaway promotion.
This cardback contains the "secret action figure offer" sticker on the lower half of the card, with the addtion of BOTH a large round offer extended sticker naming "BOSSK" as the secret figure, and the rectangular "Offer Extended" sticker prolonging the promotion till 31st Dec 1980.
This cardback is very similar to the 79A - only difference being there is now the free "Anakin Skywalker" sticker over the lower half (and likewise a promotional sticker on the front).
This cardback is very similar to the 79B - however, the free "Anakin Skywalker" offer is now part of the printed card.
This cardback is very similar to the 77A - only difference being there is now the free "Anakin Skywalker" sticker over the lower half (and likewise a promotional sticker on the front).
This is the last Palitoy cardback to have the classic red, white and blue Palitoy logo on the front of the card. This card has a yellow "Special Offers!" heading for a "Bounty Hunter" mail away offer. There is a choice of items to redeem the cardback name plates against.
This Palitoy 45 back is very similar to the 45A, however the front of the card no longer has the Palitoy red, white and blue logo - instead having no logo, and a new shadow effect under the ESB logo. This card has a white "Special Offers!" heading for a "Bounty Hunter" mail away offer. There is a choice of items to redeem the cardback name plates against.
This offerless cardback is distinctive for the Hoth figure accessories and mini-rigs that fill up the lower half of the back. There are several variations of how the text "Star Wars Action Figures. Collect all 48!" is layed out, but all are considered 48A in this guide.
This cardback is known as a "Tri-Logo Hybrid" cardback. The reverse side has the usual tri-logo display of 70 figures with the three languages, however the front of the card is a carry over of the single language ROTJ card-fronts. There are only 6 known figures on this style of cardback.
This is one of only two Tsukuda cardbacks - both being 65 backs. The Tsukuda 65B is identified with the distinctive Japaneze sticker on the lower half of a Kenner 65B card, meaning the full range of figures are on display (Logray and Chirpa are *not* blacked out).
This is the debut cardback for Palitoy. One distinguishing feature of the 12A compared to other Palitoy 12 backs is the extra text for the X-Wing Fighter: "with retractable wings; Laser Light and sound". The UK issued X-Wing never had these features, so the text was later revised out.
This 12 back has now removed the misleading claim that the X-Wing has "Laser Light and sound". It simply now has "retractable wings".
This cardback is unique for having the cardboard Palitoy Death Star playset featured on the top half of the cardback.
This cardback introduces 10 new figures (with nice clear images of some pre-production versions). What is also interesting, is that the photo is a "mirror image" with their weapons in the wrong hands! (eg, Luke has Saber in the left arm instead of right). You can tell a 30A (from a 30B) by the absence of "Made in Hong Kong" in the silver race-track at the bottom of the card.
This cardback is almost identical to the 30A, except the silver race-track at the bottom has the text "Made in Hong Kong". This is absent on the 30A.
This cardback shows 41 figures in individual boxes with Hoth playset and accessories.
This cardback shows 41 figures like the 41A card, however this version has "non Hoth" playsets and accessories. Notably, it shows the Darth Vader Star Destroyer playset - "with figures". Versions of this card may sometimes have this "with figures" text scratched out with pen, or have a blue sticker covering it up.
This cardback shows 41 figures like the 41B, however the Darth Vader Star Destroyer playset is no longer advertised "with figures". This text is no longer printed on the cardback.
This 65 back replaces the Nien Nunb mail away offer on the previous ones with a "Chewbacca Bandolier Strap" promotion.
This cardback is essentially identical to the 65C, continuing with the "Chewbacca Bandolier Strap" promotion. However, the difference comes from the front of the card which no longer has the "shadow effect" beneath the ROTJ logo (65A, 65B, 65C all have this shadow effect).
This tri-logo cardback is essentially identical to the 70B. Again, this is a cardback where the front of the card has the differentiating feature. In this case, the 70C has the copyright text printed with "black text" within the white border around the figure. 70B has this printed with "white text" below the white border.
This is a European sticker variation of the Palitoy tri-logo 70 back. It contains a Clipper llicensee catalogue, advertising various figures and accessories. It is stuck onto the back of the card.
This is the first cardback for the Italian Harbert licensee. It displays the first 12 figures like other initial Star Wars cardbacks. Some interesting (and unnecessary?) translations for some figure names such as D3BO (C3PO) and C1P8 (Artoo). Very few get away without a name translation!
PBP was the Spanish retailer for vintage Star Wars, and as such this cardback is mostly written in Spanish. It shows the same picture as used on Kenner 65 back cards, but has a mail away offer for Nien Nunb.
Takara, a Japanese licensee, had the rights to the initial Star Wars releases. This cardback is identical to the Kenner 12A cardback, with the difference being a Japanese language sticker on the front in the lower right corner.
Clipper, a Netherlands licensee, had the rights to distribute Star Wars in parts of Europe. This cardback takes the image from a Palitoy 45 back, but has a unique white section outlining many mail away offers.
General Mills produced a limited set of cardbacks during the Empire Strikes Back era in Europe. This cardback takes the image from a Palitoy 45 back, but has unique German language. It includes an "English header" which is absent on the 45B.
The Kenner 32A is most easily identified by the inclusion of Yoda in the top left hand corner, along with the Millennium Falcon being part of the advertised vehicles and playsets.
This is the first cardback to advertise 41 figures. Besides this, it is most recognizable for the survival kit mail away offer that takes up the bottom third of the cardback.
Meccano, the French licensee, produced this unique square cardback to coincide with the second wave of Star Wars release figures. This cardback is notable for including the Vinyl Cape Jawa and the cardboard spherical Death Star playset.
An interesting and unique cardback from the Italian Harbert licensee. In addition to showing the first 20 figures, the lower half of the card depicts the diecast ship range - some of which are prototype examples.
This Meccano square cardback was used with the Empire Strikes Back version of the card front. The main difference with the Meccano SW 20A is the Meccano logo being in red (it is black and white on the Star Wars square card).
Very unassuming and often unknown to a lot of collectors, this is one of the rarest Kenner issued cardbacks going. What makes this special is the "Survivial kit offer sticker" on the lower half. It is believed to be an extremely limited run, with only a handful of MOC examples surviving. This sticker is the precursor for the 41A cardback where the offer is printed as part of the overal card.
In similar fashion to the 31C but now having the image of Yoda, this cardback is often unknown to a lot of collectors. Again, one of the rarest Kenner issued cardbacks, the "Survivial kit offer sticker" is the defining feature. This sticker is the precursor for the much more common 41A cardback where the offer is printed as part of the overal card.
Glasslite, the Brazillian licensee, came into the mix very late in the vintage line. They only had this single cardback for the normal star wars line (they also produced a cardback for Droids figures). There is only a very limited range of figures available on this cardback, which incidentally, not all of them are the same as those pictured on the back.
Takara, the Japaneze licensee, issued this cardback which is identical to the Kenner 12B. One way to identify this cardback against other early 12 back cards is the slightly longer lightsaber tip, but still using the advice to "push arm". These points differ on the 12A and 12C. Being Takara, the defining feature is the Japaneze sticker on the *front* of the card.
Lili Ledy, the Mexican licensee, introduced this cardback as one of the first in their ROTJ line. This cardback is known as the *negative* image version, being a throwback to a photography term where the image colouring is reversed.
This cardback from the Mexican licensee pictures 50 figures available from their ROTJ line. This cardback is known as the *negative* image version, where the background is black and everything else is white in colour.
This Meccano cardback features the familair Palitoy image of 65 figures, but has the logo and other text in French language.
From Argentina, this cardback was used for a very limited figure range. The cardback reuses the *first 12* cartoon figure image, with an additional 5 figures displayed from the Return of the Jedi range on the lower half of the card.
Classified as a Clipper cardback due to the Dutch "wrap around" sticker/catalogue, this would otherwise be identical to the Kenner 65A where the two ewok figures are "blacked-out".
This French cardback has a unique depiction for the analogous action figure stand that was also advertised on the associated Kenner 12 backs. The cardback reuses the same artwork, but is mostly written in French (with some unexpected character name translations).
This Spanish cardback reuses a common display of 45 figures, but is unique for the "buy five, get one free" offer. The offer suggests that you will randomly get either a Bossk or Dengar figure.
This offerless Spanish cardback displays 65 figures including the two ewoks that are no longer "blacked out". The cardback is otherwise empty with no further promotion or advertising of accessories to collect.
This Italian cardback shows 32 figures along with four vehicles representing the diecast range of items.
This French cardback uses the familiar group shot image of 45 figures. The rest of the card is written in French, and has the unique Miro-Meccano logo on the bottom right corner.
This Dutch cardback is the same as the 12A Clipper, with the addition of the free Boba Fett offer sticker being applied.
Toltoys was the Australian licensee with the rights to distribution in Australia. This 12 back card is one of the first produced, and replicates similar images from other fringe licensees beyond Kenner (early 12 back Kenner cards advertise a figure stand - this is notable absent).
This Australian licensee release is essentially identical to the Kenner 20A. The main difference is on the front of the card that has the distinctive blue and black Toltoys logo.
This Clipper cardback is notable for the wrap-around catalogue sticker stuck to the lower half of the card. It is otherwise a Kenner 65B card (distinguished mainly by the two ewok figures now being visible and not blacked-out).
This Clipper cardback is notable for the wrap-around catalogue sticker stuck to the lower half of the card. Without the sticker, it would otherwise be a Palitoy 65 back card (distinguished by the two ewok figures that are blacked-out).
This Australian cardback is unique in that the Nien Nunb offer is on a 65 back, as opposed to the American Kenner 48 back. What's more interesting, and highly desirable to collectors, is to obtain Nien Nunb as an MOC on this cardback with this offer! Always look for the Alexandria postal address - this is the easiest way to spot Toltoys cardbacks.
This cardback has similarities to the Kenner 65C. Essentially, this is the 65 back "Emperor offer" cardback, but it is unique for having the additional free "Anakin Skywalker" offer sticker on the back (and on the front of the card too). This is actually a rare but often under-rated cardback. Only a few figures out of the full range are known to come on this combination.
This Dutch cardback is essentially the same as a Kenner 77A, however the bottom half of the cardback has a wrap-around sticker advertising "bonus" items available.
This Mexican cardback is unique for the line art drawings of the action figure range. This version is known as the "negative" whereby the background is dark, and the line art is in a lighter colour (like an old film photo negative).
This Mexican cardback is very similar to the 30A except now the colour palette has been reversed and is no longer a "photo negative". The background is a light cardboard colour, and the detail has been given in black ink. Together, a 30A and 30B make for an interesting comparison side-by-side.
This is the first issued Dutch licensee cardback. It has the familiar cartoon figure lineup, but is unique with the text being bi-lingual throughout.
This is the first Canadian cardback issued for the first 12 figures of the Star Wars line. Canadian cards are unique in that they are required to advertise in both English and French language. This version has the saber instructions with the image of a very short saber tip.
This Canadian cardback is very similar to the 12A, except the description of how to work the light saber now has the image with a longer tip (12A card has a very short tip).
This is the first Canadian cardback to introduce the unique "pyramid" logo on the card front (also present for the 12D). This version is missing the metric measurements for R2-D2 and C3-PO in the upper "english" section.
This is an alternative Canadian cardback with the unique "pyramid" logo on the card front (also present for the 12C). This version has the metric measurements for R2-D2 and C3-PO in the upper "english" section (missing on the 12C).
This Canadian cardback pictures the first 20 action figures. It is very similar to the 20B but has prototype versions of the playsets. In addition, it has a white price rectangle on the upper left of the card front (where retailers could put their sale price).
This Canadian cardback pictures the first 20 action figures. It is very similar to the 20A but now has production versions of the playsets.
This cardback displays the Boba Fett mail away offer, with the figure covered up by a black sticker.
This cardback now displays a unique yellow sticker with a depiction of the free Boba Fett action figure. Four proof of purchase seals would need to be mailed away to get the free figure.
This cardback contains a mail away offer for a "secret" star wars action figure. As usual, being a Canadian card the offer is repeated in both English and French.
This cardback shows 31 figures available along with 3 vehicles. Presence of the Millennium Falcon is a quick and easy way to tell at 31A from the 31B. As usual, being a Canadian card much of the text is repeated in both English and French.
This cardback shows 31 figures available along with 3 accessories. Presence of the Darth Vader collectors case is a quick and easy way to tell at 31B from the 31A. As usual, being a Canadian card much of the text is repeated in both English and French.
This cardback shows 32 characters - Yoda being the 32nd. Both the 32A and 32B share the same accessories in the lower half of the cardback, so the difference between them is very subtle. The 32A has the Yoda box with a curved *upper left* hand corner (on the 32B it is curved on the lower right).
This cardback shows 32 characters - Yoda being the 32nd. Both the 32B and 32A share the same accessories in the lower half of the cardback, so the difference between them is very subtle. The 32B has the Yoda box with a curved *lower right* hand corner (on the 32A it is curved on the upper left).
This cardback shows 41 characters and has a mail away offer for the action figure survival kit. As usual for Kenner Canada cardbacks, most of the text is provided in both English and French.
This cardback shows 41 characters along with various accessories and playsets in the lower part of the card. One easy way to tell the 41B from other 41 backs is the presence of the Darth Vader carry case.
This cardback shows 41 characters along with various accessories and playsets in the lower part of the card. One easy way to tell the 41C from other 41 backs is when these accessories are from Hoth (snowspeeder, AT-AT, Taun Taun etc).
The only Canadian 45 back, this has an offer for the display arena with four backdrop scene pictures. The mail-away address is Toronto, with the usual dual language being the hallmark of Kenner Canada packaging.
This cardback has the mailaway offer for the new 4-LOM action figure. The mailing address is in Toronto and as usual for Kenner Canada cards, dual English/French language features throughout.
This cardback is interesting for the Nien Nunb mail-away offer appearing on a 65 back, all the while this figure being included in the 65 figure line-up image. In contrast, the American Kenner version has this offer on a 48 back.
This cardback contains the Emperor as a mail-away offer. As usual for Canadian cardbacks, the text is duplicated in French and English.
This cardback contains the all familiar 77 figure line up. As usual for Canadian cardbacks, the text is duplicated in French and English.
That's no random piece of cardboard, that's one of the rarest MOC cardbacks across the whole vintage line! Known as the Sear's "skin wrap" packaging, only a handful of different figures were released in this style from this department store in Canada. The front of the card is a non-descript black cardboard with the ESB logo. The cardback of course displays zero figures.
This Mexican issue cardback contains 50 figures in unique line-art style.
This is an interesting Spanish hybrid tri-logo cardback which has a Nien Nunb offer. However, the front of the card has the familiar tri-logo layout. Other tri-logo cards have 70 figures on the back, not 65.
This is a sticker variation MOC created for the Dutch market by the Clipper licensee. It is a Kenner 41 back card, but has a unique yellow wrap-around sticker advertising several mail away promotions available.
This Turkish cardback was used by the Uzay licensee for a selection of bootleg figures (so I use the term licensee lightly). Although not endorsed as official, these variants have become extremely desirable within the collecting community. Few, if any carded examples trade publicly.
This French cardback is interesting for it's square dimensions compared to most other cardbacks that figures were released on. This version differs from the 20A with the Meccano logo in red and white (20A has the logo in black and white)
This square French cardback was released as part of the first wave of empire strikes back figures. Several empire figures are now included, as well as the Hoth imperial attack base.
This 45 back features the trademark dual English/French language. The main feature though is a sticker covering the lower half advertising the new Admiral Ackbar figure from Return of the Jedi.
This cardback was used for the American release of this cartoon series. 12 figures were available, however 2 were reused from the main film action figure line (Bobafett and A-Wing pilot).
This cardback was used for the Brazilian release of this cartoon series. 7 figures are pictured including the infamous Vlix!
This Canadian cardback was used for the Droids cartoon series. 12 figures are displayed (including Boba Fett and A-Wing pilot from the regular line). As usual for Canadian cards, there is both French and English text.
This is one of those cardbacks where the difference is all down to the card front. On the reverse, this is a standard Kenner Canada 77A card, but on the front this 77B has a unique yellow triangle exclaiming "Collect all 77 figures!". Even more interesting, Boba Fett is the only known figure to feature this.
This 47 back features the trademark dual English/French language. The main feature though is a sticker covering the lower half advertising the new Admiral Ackbar figure from Return of the Jedi.
This cardback is a Kenner Canada 41A with the survival kit offer, but has the Admiral Ackbar offer Return of the Jedi transition stickers.
This cardback has a transition Return of the Jedi sticker with the Admiral Ackbar offer on top of a Kenner Canada 41B (Dagobah/Cloud City accessories) or 41C (Hoth accessories) card. The sticker covers up the area that would display the accessories, so it is usually not possible to tell exactly which card has the sticker hence the 41E designation to cover both possibilities.
This cardback was created for the German market during the ESB wave. This 45B is very similar to the 45A, the only difference being the absence of some English text at the top of the card inspiring you to "Collect all 45!"
This cardback is otherwise a Kenner 12C (with the longer lightsaber graphic and "Pull" text description), with a Japaneze local market sticker on the front of the card.
This Australian issue 45 back is very similar to the American Kenner equivalent. However, those with an eagle eye will note the Alexandria address for the mail away promotion. Also uniquely, the expiry date for the offer is June 1982 as part of the printed card (the Kenner card has the offer expiring in May 1982).
This is a Canadian cardback found exclusively with only one figure - Yak Face! Yes, this is the prized POTF Yak Face cardback that all collectors dream of owning. An American Kenner POTF version of a carded Yak Face was never issued (note the dual language here), so the Canadian version is the only way to have one on a POTF cardback.
This Spanish card is unique in the vintage offering for having a horizontal line-up of available figures. The 41B has a yellow Poch logo on the card front
This Mexican cardback is extremely rare, with very few sealed examples known. These ESB cards are more of a "test run" for the ROTJ line that came soon after, since the front of the card is a generic space scene no matter what figure was sealed to it. Well done to any collectors holding one of these!
This Canadian cardback is unique to one figure - the R2-D2 wind-up toy! This is not normally considered part of the loose figure run, but a side-line item for collectors to pursue if interested. In any case, since the cardback lists figures from the official line, it's an interesting piece.
This is one of the first Lili Ledy cardbacks advertising 12 figures and two vehicles. This version has the printing in *negative* with white drawings on a black background. The eagle-eyed will notice these earlier cardbacks use the word "retorno" instead of "regresso" in the Jedi logo.
This is the last cardback that was branded as General Mills for the German market. It is essentially the same as the ESB issued 45B card but updated with Return of the Jedi branding.
This Italian cardback is a scarcely seen empire strikes back branded back. It has the familiar Kenner images for the first 21 figures, but includes some of the diecast range of vehicles in the lower half of the card which is quite unique.
This cardback is a sticker variation of the usual Kenner 47A. It contains a UK specific sticker overlaid on the bottom half of the card that provides the Palitoy mailing address for the free 4-LOM figure offer.
This cardback is a sticker variation of the usual Kenner 48B. It contains a UK specific sticker overlaid on the bottom half of the card that provides the Palitoy mailing address for the free Admiral Ackbar figure offer.
This cardback is a sticker variation of the usual Kenner 48C. It contains a UK specific sticker overlaid on the bottom half of the card that provides the Palitoy mailing address for the free Admiral Ackbar figure offer.
This Australian cardback is very similar with the American Kenner version - the difference lies in the address for the free 4-LOM figure. The easiest way to tell if it's Toltoys is if the mailing address contains "Alexandria".
This cardback is similar with the American Kenner version. However, there is a unique white text box at the bottom of the card claiming to be "marketed in New Zealand by Toltoys". The Toltoys licensee covered both Australia and New Zealand, but this is one of the very few that reference New Zealand explicitly.
This cardback from Spain is unique with its horizontal figure line up and photography not found on any other cardback. If you look closely, some figures have been cobbled togther with strange accessories such as Stormtrooper (Hoth rifle) and Original Luke (Bespin saber instead of telescoping saber).
This is a Dutch sticker variation from the Clipper licensee. It consists of a Palitoy 45 back, and has the "wrap around" sticker catalogue on the lower half of the card.
This is an Italian sticker variation from the Harbert licensee. It consists of a Kenner 41 back card with a local market sticker covering the lower half.
This is one of the earlier issue Mexican cardbacks when the Jedi logo used "Retorno" in the title. This is the "photo negative" version with a black background and white drawings.
This is one of the earliest issue Mexican cardbacks when the Jedi logo used "Retorno" in the title, with 12 line art figures depicted. However, an interesting difference here is the quality assurance sticker over the lower third of the card which tells it apart from the 12A.
This Australian cardback is very similar to the Kenner 41A survival kit offer. The one unique difference is the address for the mail away promotion - being Alexandria N.S.W.
This French Meccano square cardback is similar to the 20B, but now has blue "Made in Hong Kong" text on the lower left, just inside the race-track.
This Spanish cardback shows 31 figures in their own image boxes. It has the unique "Poch" company logo along with Spanish text throughout including a revision to the empire strikes back logo text: "Imperio Contraataca".
This Australian cardback is a transition for the 12 backs to now have measurements using the metric system. So figure sizes are now communicated in millimetres instead of inches.
This is a unique cardback incorporating influences from three separate licensees. Firstly you have a Palitoy 65 back card, secondly a Clipper wrap-around sticker and then finally a Spanish mail-away promotion sticker on top!
This is a sticker offer variation of the Dutch empire cardback. It has a Palitoy sticker across the bottom third advertising the free Nien Nunb figure (only for UK residents though).
This Australian cardback is a sticker transition between imperial (inches) and metric (centimetre) measurements for the action figures. A sticker now indicates how tall each of the figures are. This is a precursor to the Toltoys 12C where the measurements are printed on the card instead.
Has a ROTJ transition sticker over the ESB card front logo. Underlying card is otherwise a 32A.
This unique Canadian cardback is the skin wrap sears exclusive, with transition Return of the Jedi stickers (0A does not have these stickers).
This is a sticker variation for a free Nien Nunb figure which has been placed over a Palitoy ESB 45 back.
This is one of the strangest cardbacks across all licensees. From Italy, this cardback paired up an Ewok figure with two UHU glue sticks. These carded figures are matched in their oddness only by their rarity.
Similar to the 45B, this now has a promotion sticker applied at the bottom of the card for the new Nien Nunb action figure from Return of the Jedi.
This clipper cardback now has a wrap around sticker promotion applied on the bottom third of the card. The promotion details a choice of 5 mailaway promotions available.
This cardback from Spain is unique with its horizontal figure line up and photography not found on any other cardback. If you look closely, some figures have been cobbled togther with strange accessories such as Stormtrooper (Hoth rifle) and Original Luke (Bespin saber instead of telescoping saber).
This 12 back has revised the text in the header to make it clear the action figures are "scaled to fit the large size non die-cast vehicles"
This Australian cardback is notorious for the mysterious ESB Toltoys vinyl cape jawa
This cardback from Spain is unique with its horizontal figure line up and photography not found on any other cardback. If you look closely, some figures have been cobbled togther with strange accessories such as Stormtrooper (Hoth rifle) and Original Luke (Bespin saber instead of telescoping saber).
This cardback from Spain is unique with its horizontal figure line up and photography not found on any other cardback. If you look closely, some figures have been cobbled togther with strange accessories such as Stormtrooper (Hoth rifle) and Original Luke (Bespin saber instead of telescoping saber).
Palitoy ESB 41 back card with a yellow clipper wrap around sticker