Inside Australia’s biggest Star Wars collection
THERE’S collecting, then there’s this. A floor-to-ceiling five-bedroom home crammed from some of the most sought-after and valuable Star Wars collectibles on the planet. Welcome to the home of Aussie Vader, Mick Pylak.
1/27Mick Pylak pictured in his Aussie Darth Vader costume at his home with his epic collection of Star Wars paraphernalia. Picture: Jonathan Ng
2/27Mick Pylak’s $10,000 Millennium Falcon signed by Harrison Ford. Picture: Jonathan Ng
3/27Generations of Storm Troopers and bounty hunters along side Rebel Alliance and the Emperor’s Royal Guard there is every helmet imaginable. Picture: Jonathan Ng
4/27Pictured is his rare $10,000 Jawa figure. Picture: Jonathan Ng
5/27Carded Kenner figurines of Chewbacca and Hans Solo figurines. Picture: Jonathan Ng
6/27A special commemorative Yoda wearing 3D glasses and eating popcorn (right) released in 1999. Picture: Jonathan Ng
7/27Mick has thousands of figurines spanning the entire Star Wars film universe. Picture: Jonathan Ng
8/27The life-size Han Solo in Carbonite. Picture: Jonathan Ng
9/27A complete collection of figurines covers a wall in the five-bedroom home. Picture: Jonathan Ng
10/27Jedi mentor Yoda. Picture: Jonathan Ng
11/27Some of Mick’s limited edition Adidas Star Wars shoes. Picture: Jonathan Ng
12/27Boxes of Star wars lego sets and other toys stacked in the house. Picture: Jonathan Ng
13/27The variations in Mick’s collection are awe-inspiring, from mint figurines to life-size Darth Vaders. Picture: Jonathan Ng
14/27Limited Edition Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope Stormtrooper Blaster. Picture: Jonathan Ng
15/27The Empire Strikes Back pinball machine released in 1980 by Hankin worth between $5000- $7000 Picture: Jonathan Ng
16/27Kenner Stormtrooper and R2-D2 figurines. Picture: Jonathan Ng
17/27Every item in his collection has a story behind it, says Mick, who’ll drive far and wide for a great find. Picture: Jonathan Ng
18/27Deciding what to keep and finding the room to display everything are a big issue for serious collectors. Picture: Jonathan Ng
19/27Multiple Princess Leia figurines kept behind glass. Mick’s daughter is named after the female character Picture: Jonathan Ng
20/27Vintage Kenner The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader Collector’s Case. Picture: Jonathan Ng
21/27Mick is especially fond of the Jawa figurines. Picture: Jonathan Ng
22/27Mick collects duplicate figurines because they’re variants that set them apart. Picture: Jonathan Ng
23/27Commemorative 40th anniversary chrome Stormtrooper and Darth Vader helmets. Picture: Jonathan Ng
24/27Disney Star Wars pieces. Picture: Jonathan Ng
25/27Helmets from various films including his favourite character, Bobba Fett. Picture: Jonathan Ng
26/27Large figurines of Darth Maul, Jar Jar Binks and an Ewokstand tall on a top shelf. Picture. Picture: Jonathan Ng
27/27Lego is a large part of his collection of Star Wars paraphernalia. Picture: Jonathan Ng