Steve Sansweet Meets with Fans to Sign Their Books and Answer a Few Questions

June 19, 2003 - by Sebulbadoug

Steve Sansweet is the Ultimate Star Wars Collector. For the very few that still may not be aware, Steve Sansweet is the curator and owner of the world’s largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Word has it that the collection occupies a 7,000 square foot addition to his house located in Sonoma County, California. Steve started his collection almost as soon as the original Star Wars hit the screens in 1977. His collection includes everything from newspaper articles to actual props used in the films.

In addition to collecting, Steve has also authored or been involved with several books. Among the titles credited to him are:

“The Punishment Cure”, (1976)
“Science Fiction Toys and Models”, (1980)
“STAR WARS: From Concept to Screen to Collectible”, (1992)
“Tomart's Price Guide to Star Wars Collectibles”, (1994, and again in 1997);
“Quotable Star Wars: I'd Just as Soon Kiss A Wookiee”, (1996)
“Star Wars Encyclopedia”, (1998)
“Star Wars Scrapbook: The Essential Collection”, (1998)
“The Pocket Manual of Star Wars Collectibles”, (1998)
“The Star Wars Masterpiece Edition: Anakin Skywalker/The Story of Darth Vader”, (1998);
“Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive”, (1999).
“Revised Core Rulebook” (Star Wars Roleplaying Game), (2002)

He also contributes to the Star Wars Insider magazine, the magazine of the Official Star Wars Fan Club, and Topps' Star Wars Galaxy Collector magazine. Fans can reach Steve through either of the magazines, or at StarWars.Com.

In his professional life, Steve was a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and eventually became the Journal’s Los Angeles bureau chief, working in that capacity for nine years. Then in 1996, Steve took a position in Marketing at Lucasfilm. Talk about turning a passion into a profession!

One of Steve’s responsibilities at Lucasfilm is fan relations. As a result, Steve can be found at many Star Wars related functions, such as the Fan Club Breakfast at Disney-MGM’s Star Wars Weekends. Loads of fans took advantage of the opportunity to meet Steve personally at “The Writers Stop” bookstore located in the park, and have one of their Star Wars books autographed by Steve when he was in Orlando for the event.

When it was my turn to have my book signed (“Star Wars Scrapbook: The Essential Collection”), I used the opportunity to ask Steve if anyone had ever considered bringing some of the displays used in “The Magic of the Myth” to the Star Wars Weekends. Steve said that most of the displays in “Magic of the Myth” require at least two weeks of setup, making many of them difficult to use at the Disney events. However, he said that the idea had been discussed with Disney, and while he didn't say that it would happen in the future, he didn't say it wouldn't, either. Personally, I think it would be fabulous if something could be arranged. I think the displays would draw as many fans as any of the major attractions at the park, including the Star Wars Weekends exclusive events. I’d even be willing to pay an additional charge to see the display, and I think it would add immeasurably to the Star Wars Weekends events. Let's hope something comes of it.

It was great to be able to meet Steve, as he is easily as much a legend to collectors as the stars of the films are to fans in general. Steve seems to always have time for the fans, making him a great ambassador for Lucasfilms.