Meet Joe Gamez: Star Wars Collector

Welcome to the first installment of Collectors’ Bounty.  In this edition, we give a warm welcome to Joe Gamez as he tells us a little about his Star Wars collection habits and showcases some of his favorite pieces. Be sure to follow Joe on Instagram for updates on his collecting journey. @jawaman77

Joe with John Williams

Joe with the great John Williams

 

When did you first see Star Wars and which is your favorite film?

I saw the original Star Wars at a drive-in theater in California back in 1977. My favorite film is Return Of the Jedi.

Who is your favorite character?

Luke Skywalker. From when he’s looking at the twin suns wishing he could be somewhere else, knowing he is destined for better, to the mistakes he makes along the way, and finally the success in his mission to bring his father back to the light. I just identify with so much of his character.

How long have you been collecting?

I started in 1995 when they released the Power of the Force 2 collection. I was around in 1978 to 1985 when the original Star Wars figures were the hottest thing on the shelves. Unfortunately, I grew up without a lot of money and wasn’t able to take part in having any of those toys. When the POTF2 figures came out, I was 22 years old, had a job, my own money and I was finally able to experience the fun of hunting down figures. Even driving to stores in different states just to see if I could get lucky enough to find a newly released figure or a variant of one I already had. I know the POTF2 isn’t everyone’s favorite line, but they will always have a special place in my heart because of the experience I had collecting them.

Which was your first Star Wars figure?

Right before the POTF2 release, I purchased a mint on card (MOC) 1984 77 back Wicket.

Wicket mint on card

 

What is your favorite piece in your collection?

The Vintage Collection Return of the Jedi AT-AT. I LOVED the AT-ATs when I was younger, and always wanted one. This was a gift from my girlfriend, so on top of it being an awesome piece to have in the collection, it also has sentimental value.

ROTJ AT-AT

 

What is your rarest/most valuable item?

This is a question that gets asked a lot. For me, my collection is always about how much joy it brings me, how much fun I had hunting an item down, and if I’m really lucky, how much sentimental value an item has. That is why the most valuable item in my collection is a Don Post Darth Vader helmet. I know….not worth thousands of dollars. Ya see, my mother gave me that helmet, it was the last gift she gave me before she died in 1999. This isn’t an item you can run out to the store and buy! Someone could offer me millions and I would turn them down, so it is easily my most valuable item in my collection.

Star Wars helmets

 

Do you have a focus?

I am a HUGE fan of the Vintage Collection line. (We won’t speak of how horrible Hasbro is treating this line at the moment!) I love the look of this line, reminds me of the carded figures that were in the store when I was a kid. I own every original trilogy vintage collection figure but one….ill get to that one in the next question!

What is the grail item that you are still on the lookout for?

The only original trilogy vintage collection figure I need is the Canadian VC20 Yoda on the Return of the Jedi card back. I’ve lost a few auctions, and recently missed out on a Facebook purchase by about 30 seconds I was told! One day I’ll have him!

VC20 Yoda Canadian variant

Any other information you can share about you and your collection?

I almost quit collecting last year! In February 2019 my house was hit by a bad flood. I had tons of collectibles in bins, stacked high on shelves. Unfortunately, the water made the shelves fall over, dumping almost half my collection into the muddy water. I lost about 130-150 figures, a POTF Millennium Falcon, X-Wing, and tons of old promotional materials and every lifesize cardboard standup. The most painful was my 21 back R5-D4 and the only Empire Strikes Back vintage MOC I owned, the Snowtrooper. I could spend the next hour listing things I lost.

What changed my mind about quitting was the Star Wars community. I posted pics of the flood online and a bunch of fellow collectors literally came out of nowhere to rescue me! Everyone demanded my address so they could send me some figures. And that gesture alone is what made me think, “How could I leave a group of amazing people like this?”. It’s a great community to be a part of and I continue to meet people who eventually end up becoming really good friends. For me, the two things collecting is all about are the joy it brings you, and the amazing people you meet along the way! MTFBWY

Big thanks to Joe, now let’s check out some more of his Star Wars collection!

Joe's Collection Room

Joe's Collection Room 2

Star Wars Collection on shelves

Joe's carded Ewoks

Black Series carded exclusives

Thanks for sharing your collection, Joe!

 

11 thoughts on “Meet Joe Gamez: Star Wars Collector”

  1. Nice collection, Joe. Praying the water stays away!!! Sorry you lost all those other pieces. Congrats on getting “in print”! You’ve made “the Big Time”! 😁 Love you! Aunt T

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  2. Awesome collection and feature! I remember as a kid seeing all of your collections hanging at the house! It’s so fun watching you collect and seeing the excitement when you find your pieces! – Dana

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  3. I’ve spent the night in this room when it had enough space for a bed. I can see the collection has increased exponentially. Joe and his girlfriend are legitimately two of the most kind hearted and generous people you could meet and I felt an ache in my heart hearing the news of the flood and the items that were lost because I know how much passion goes into his collection. This is some well deserved recognition and you would be hard pressed to find someone who deserves this spotlight more than Joe!

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  4. Awesome collection! The Vintage Collection has been dear to me too because of the traditional size and cardbacks. I also enjoy collecting them and have done so since about 2012. Shortly after their release. I admire your passion and interest to keep collecting. I had stopped too, for some reasons, and then came back to it. I really have fun looking for rares and seeing everyone’s best figures. What a treat. May the force be with you Joe!
    Steve from Dallas, TX

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  5. Joe and his gf are both amazing people, and I really enjoyed spending time with them when they lived in Baltimore. Now, thru Facebook, I get to share Star Wars memes and admire the additions to his collection. It does take dedication. I personally collect Matchbox Trucks/Convoys, so I know what it takes to stay focused and working to own an example of every piece ever offered. It takes a special kind of person to maintain that dedication, and Joe is definitely in it until the end. BTW, miss you bro, stop by the next time you are in town!!! BKM

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  6. I’m trying to assess the value of the R2D2 I have. It has a fixed head, button, lights, 7 or so sounds, takes 3 watch batteries and is in great shape. The light is only on the front and the head is NOT chrome. ??! Thanks

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  7. JOE awesome collection my friend and Im glad you decided to remain a collector and your so right about most prized articles in your collection my son has been giving me home made pictures and I think there my favorite things in my collection I myself are missing the Canadian variant yoda vc 20 just cant shell out 600 to 900 Canadian dollars for it anyway im glad to have heard your story and hats off to Tim for all he does for the community

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  8. I have a star war menoply game in original packagingng never opened. Would like to sell it, don’t know how much I should ask or where to start. Can you help?

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  9. Have a blockbuster collector starwars series listed on facebook marketplace in Ludington MI if interested. Check it out.

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