A major new exhibition showcasing one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters is set to open at Beverley Art Gallery this Saturday, June 6.
To mark the launch of “May The Toys Be With You,” visitors to Beverley Town Centre and the Art Gallery should keep an eye out for a special appearance from the Echo Base Galactic Alliance, alongside iconic Star Wars characters Boba Fett and Bo-Katan.
The free exhibition is both a celebration of the now highly collectable vintage toy line and the iconic design work and art of the original movies. The touring exhibition arrives in Beverley having already broken visitor attendance records at a host of museums across the country.
Owner and curator Matt Fox, who has amassed an extensive collection of around 300 toys and movie posters including rarities from all around the world, traced his passion back to his very first cinema trip. He said: “I first saw Star Wars when I was 5 years old in 1977, it was my very first trip to the cinema and blew me away.
“Afterwards we went to a toy shop and I got my first Star Wars figure, which was a Darth Vader figure on a Palitoy card – I still remember sitting on the back seat of the car opening my toy and this smell of pungent plastic coming out. I turned the card over which displayed the other figures you could get and it said collect them all and I’ve been trying to obey that simple command to this day.
“One of my favourite toys which is on display is the Palitoy Death Star, Palitoy are based in Leicester and they created this cardboard death star which looks a bit like a dolls house. Not many of these survived because they were left on bedroom floors, kids would jump off their bunk beds and land on them but we have a lovely one for people to come and enjoy here.
“Also on display is original movie posters from the 70s and 80s, back when they were painted artworks. This was pre photoshop so they were painted by artists and they really are beautiful. They showcased their fantastic designs of Star Wars and we have one in particular which is a really large Return Of The Jedi poster.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This new and exciting exhibition will give families and visitors alike the opportunity to experience memorabilia from one of the most famous film series of all time. Those who come along will be able to get up close to the collection, exploring iconic figures such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. Beverley Art Gallery will also be hosting a programme of family-friendly Star Wars themed events and activities to support this exhibition, so we hope to see the public come along and enjoy these.”
The free exhibition runs from Saturday, June 6, until August 29. Beverley Art Gallery will be hosting Star Wars-inspired events throughout the summer, with full details available on the What’s On section of the East Riding Museums website.