The Amazing Palitoy Sample Find

In the late 1990′s a collection of Palitoy Factory Samples were uncovered by a man called Kevin Spencer. Kevin owned a publication company which ran a title called “Collectables” and due to their contacts and client base, the previous owner of these samples (A former General Mills Employee) contacted Kevin’s publication to see if they could find a buyer for the entire lot.

The collection consisted of many different Star Wars toys, most were Palitoy produced carded figures but there were also some die cast ships, large sized vehicles and even one or two imported Kenner figures.

In total over 70 MOC figures surfaced from this find and many of them had some kind of Sample stickers/notes attached to them for use in various sections of the Palitoy headquarters.

After one failed attempt to sell the figures as a group to an interested party (the buyer actually returned the figures) Kevin decided he would just keep them to avoid having to explain this to the original owner, he had an interest in Star Wars himself and had always thought about starting a Trilogo collection so he figured with this many figures he had a pretty good head start on a full set.

It wasn’t until 2006 that this find was made public on Rebelscum.com in the Vintage forums, no European “sample” pieces have ever really surfaced and it was a sight to behold when Kevin showed off these figures.

Ironically, the buyer Kevin found through his publication had returned the figures because of the stickers themselves! Due to the stickers covering much of the photo art on the figures packaging the buyer was unhappy with the purchase and quickly returned them. Actually Kevin himself has said on more than one occasion that he isn’t too keen on them himself but thankfully he didn’t attempt to take any of them off!

Below is a gallery of some of the Trilogo Sample figures that Kevin owns, not only are the toys in immaculate condition but the sample stickers are a real treat to see.

Most figures are marked “Central Office Sample” and there is reference to the Engineering Department. You can also see the text: “Strategic group: Star Wars” written in pen on the Lobot card.

General Mills Europe is the company name on the large stickers and some have a return to address sticker attached indicating they may well have been sent out to distributors/vendors as samples of General Mills/Palitoy products or internally to various departments and buildings within the company (these ones appear to be the most damaged also which would lend some strength to the theory that they traveled).

Along with the stickered figures, Kevin also has a lot of items with stickers on the reverse and some without stickers, all factory fresh and still to be considered factory samples. Here are some more images from his amazing find, the condition is incredible especially for so many rare Trilogos.

A huge thank you to Kevin for allowing his collection to be shown on Trilogo.info!