Transformers G1 Unofficial Photographic Archive Vintage Toys

[valkyrie_76]

A photographic archive of Transformers toys released in the USA, Japan and Europe during the 1984 to 1994 “Generation One” / "G1" era.

Presented by Ocular Echo LLC, this photographic archive boasts high quality photography of the Generation 1 Transformers. Two volumes are planned; the first is set to be a complete archive of every Generation 1 Transformer released in the US 1984 – 1990, and the second is set to be an archive of all the Japan and Europe exclusive releases from 1985 – 1993 that never made it to the US, such as Transformers Victory’s Star Saber or the mighty Thunderclash. The Kickstarter is accompanied by the completed layouts of the book, so you can see the gorgeous layouts and the amount of attention and detail lavished on each figure. Pledge tiers range from choosing one or both of the books, to supporting the project and getting your name in print. The pricing of the pledges furthermore represents a commitment to a high-quality end product, of the type that the authors themselves dreamed of having.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1052752228/transformers-g1-unofficial-photographic-archive-vi?ref=nav_search

[Paulbot]

I want these books, but the Kickstarter goal looks like it might be unfulfilled which sucks. Every G1 fan should want these books!

[Skullcruncher]

I want these books, but the Kickstarter goal looks like it might be unfulfilled which sucks. Every G1 fan should want these books!

Interesting project and hopefully they get produced but they are not on this G1 fans want list - mainly due the cost and the black background of the pictures, it could be just me or the low res photos online but some of the black accessories and toy parts are really hard to see.

[DarkHyren]

I'd like them but they are way too expensive, works out to about AU$115 delivered per book.
If they considered giving the $5 backers the option of a PDF version of the book then they might get a lot more backers and get the project started, but for the current cost of the books I'll just stick to TFwiki

[Paulbot]

I can see what you mean about the black, hadn't thought about that, I was just impressed with the quality of photos/figures. I don't want them as a reference book for collecting, just for a reference book of Transformer toys so it's not a big concern for me.

The price though, I don't have a concern about - the first Generations book was $60+ and I couldn't read it, the Cybertronian books took multiple volumes at $50 each to cover the same range, even those Bellomo books were $50 each.

[gamblor916]

I've pledged and hope this happens. Looks like they need another 250 odd pledges to succeed.

[Trent]

If it had been $150 plus shipping for both books I would have gone in but as they are I don't see the value. Plus (and it is a minor nitpick for most but a fairly big one for me) I would have preferred to see the original RRP instead of the current market prices.

[Jazzman]

Already got the whole Schiffer Books "Unofficial" TF series, so not going to pledge - but these look nice :)

[valkyrie_76]

If it had been $150 plus shipping for both books I would have gone in but as they are I don't see the value. Plus (and it is a minor nitpick for most but a fairly big one for me) I would have preferred to see the original RRP instead of the current market prices.

Apparently it was hard to find all the RRP for the items as there was various sources at retail doing their own prices.

Also these books are weighing in at 3.5kg each so 7kgs plus package, the postage will be expensive. They are being done on some serious paper.

[llamatron]

I think the pair is 3.5 kg combined.

Prices - if they couldn't source original RRP then they should have just dropped this feature. Current market price is lame.

Cool project though, hope they are successful.

[valkyrie_76]

I think the pair is 3.5 kg combined.

Prices - if they couldn't source original RRP then they should have just dropped this feature. Current market price is lame.

Cool project though, hope they are successful.

Yeah my bad, it is 3.5kg for both.

Looked at it wrong :rolleyes:

[Skullcruncher]

Perhaps an idea would have been to find the dealer catalogs/packages and list the Hasbro recommended RRP as retailers would then list them at whatever they wanted.

I think for the Alarvez or Bellomo books they mentioned the publisher wanted the current value listed, would need to find the interview. Maybe they are in the same situation.

[UltraMarginal]

Perhaps an idea would have been to find the dealer catalogs/packages and list the Hasbro recommended RRP as retailers would then list them at whatever they wanted.

I think for the Alarvez or Bellomo books they mentioned the publisher wanted the current value listed, would need to find the interview. Maybe they are in the same situation.

Except these guys are self publishing are they not?

It really feels like a repeat of the Bellomo Book but with a different background. I really like the Bellomo book, I have the second edition. these books look spectacular but I feel like they are redundant.

[loophole]

I would of backed them but a bit too pricey with shipping and like Skullcruncher said not the biggest fan of the black background and for the cost I would want pictures of the packaging too

[reillyd]

I am really wary of Kickstarters with long delivery times, but these books look to be almost finished and ready to go to printing. I am going to bite, as I don't have any of the previous photo reference books. Just don't know whether to get both volumes

[Paulbot]

Except these guys are self publishing are they not?

It really feels like a repeat of the Bellomo Book but with a different background. I really like the Bellomo book, I have the second edition. these books look spectacular but I feel like they are redundant.

I hate that Bellomo Book but am definitely in the minority with that thought.

There's no need for "current prices" in the book IMO. These aren't books you'd take with you toy hunting and the aftermarket prices vary too much anyway. The original RRP would have been a nice trivia point, but somewhat pointless too.

(If it was me, I'd include the RRP and the original case breakdowns as an appendix, I found those case breakdowns fascinating when I first came across them).

[UltraMarginal]

Do you mind me asking what it is about the Ballamo books that you hate?

[Paulbot]

Do you mind me asking what it is about the Ballamo books that you hate?

It's a heap of what are little annoyances (that add up) combined with the praise it gets despite these flaws that gets to me.

Little annoyances like:
the rigid template that calls all weapons and accessories "easily lost"
the quality of the toys photographed
the quality of the toy photographs (too much flash, not correct focus)
the personal opinions and assumptions about the toy (or sometimes the tech spects) in the commentary
numerous (mostly pointless) references to the Dreamwave guidebooks and no obvious indication the writer ever read a Marvel Comic
the lack of commentary for later toys "due to space" and not at all because he never read the Marvel Comics.

[UltraMarginal]

It's a heap of what are little annoyances (that add up) combined with the praise it gets despite these flaws that gets to me.

Little annoyances like:
the rigid template that calls all weapons and accessories "easily lost"
the quality of the toys photographed
the quality of the toy photographs (too much flash, not correct focus)
the personal opinions and assumptions about the toy (or sometimes the tech spects) in the commentary
numerous (mostly pointless) references to the Dreamwave guidebooks and no obvious indication the writer ever read a Marvel Comic
the lack of commentary for later toys "due to space" and not at all because he never read the Marvel Comics.

Interesting, I'll have to take a closer look. I have to be honest, I received it, flicked through it and put it on the shelf next to all the other books I'm going to have time to read one day. He did say that the second edition, the one I have had a lot of better quality toys in it, I've never seen the first edition to know how different they are.

With regards to the comics, it's a pretty safe bet to suggest Brandon has read a lot of the comics I'm guessing.

[Paulbot]

Interesting, I'll have to take a closer look. I have to be honest, I received it, flicked through it and put it on the shelf next to all the other books I'm going to have time to read one day. He did say that the second edition, the one I have had a lot of better quality toys in it, I've never seen the first edition to know how different they are.

With regards to the comics, it's a pretty safe bet to suggest Brandon has read a lot of the comics I'm guessing.

Maybe the photos are better in the newer edition, but there's other guidebooks with better photos on my shelf than the first edition.

And I wouldn't mind that the author hadn't read the comics, it's just that he says he has, but apart from the (too often) quotes from the Dreamwave MTMTE books he never seems to reference the comics the way he references cartoon episodes (and that's light on too). The book would be better without commentary rather than committing to it, filling space with pointless descriptions of the tech specs bios and then declaring the first year Micromasters "lack inclusion in Transformers continuity and canon" so he's not going to bother. I mean, each of them has a whole page in the Dreamwave MTMTE book at least. One was a wrestler! :rolleyes:

Anyway, I've backed this project. Showing my roots as a Transformers Book collector over a Transformers Toy collector, I'll spend $100 on a third party TF book, but wouldn't consider spending $100 on a third party TF toy.

[Paulbot]

Update today is the Kickstarter got 100% funding.

I'm hoping they follow up with Beast era and Unicron Trilogy books, the absences from my collection books!

[Skullcruncher]

Except these guys are self publishing are they not?

It really feels like a repeat of the Bellomo Book but with a different background. I really like the Bellomo book, I have the second edition. these books look spectacular but I feel like they are redundant.

No idea re publishing, I just assumed they had one lined up with that cost.

The Bellomo book was a great visual reference when I first started collecting, but cant say I have opened it in the last 3 or so years :D

I asked on facebook if they realised some/most of the 'European Exclusives" were also released in Australia/New Zealand and got no response. Errors in reference books really stick in my mind, Bellomo got a couple of accessories mixed up in his 1st edition photos. Also its not clear if every transformer is featured in Vol 2. I'll be really impressed if they have photgraphed all Jr line.

Its good they got the funding, $50K thats a lot of dosh!

[UltraMarginal]

Maybe the photos are better in the newer edition, but there's other guidebooks with better photos on my shelf than the first edition.


I still haven't looked:o



Anyway, I've backed this project. Showing my roots as a Transformers Book collector over a Transformers Toy collector, I'll spend $100 on a third party TF book, but wouldn't consider spending $100 on a third party TF toy.

I'm glad they met their goal I know several people who are keen for the books. It's interesting, I've dropped more than a few hundred dollars on 3rd party toys and books but this one just didn't quite make my radar.

[Initial_G]

Looks like it's been canned :(

post from TFW (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/unofficial-photographic-archive-volume-1-and-2.1108145/page-31#post-15121933)


[ATTENTION]
Due to circumstances out of our control, the Kickstarter campaign for “Transformers G1 Unofficial Photographic Archive [ Volume 1 & 2 ]” will be prematurely aborted around 11:59pm PST tonight (10/14/2017).

All pledges will automatically cancel upon termination, and you will not be charged anything. We are deeply sorry, but we truly have no choice.

However, Ocular Echo has reason to hope that there might be an official door opening… but only time will tell as to how discussions pan out. We want to extend our warmest gratitude and appreciation to everyone that got behind this labor of love. We bow to you.

We will share any further information we can on the Ocular Echo page.
Wish us luck.


SAD :( I guess there was always a chance this would happen though

[Paulbot]

This is very disappointing.

It does sound like Hasbro put their foot down... but meanwhile they do nothing about the scores of third party IP infringing toys?

[CHILENO20]

This is very disappointing.

It does sound like Hasbro put their foot down... but meanwhile they do nothing about the scores of third party IP infringing toys?

Has"blow" just go after the ones they can :mad:

[UltraMarginal]

it's not over yet, they do say there may be an official door opening.