On May 2, 2008, Bob launched lukejedi.info as the premiere resource for all things Luke Jedi. Unfortunately, on February 4, 2018, Bob lost his life to a long term form of cancer. This site contains his original posts and findings while he was creating the ultimate Luke Jedi resource. In the sites revamp, I hope we can continue what Bob started all those years ago with new findings and showcases of all things Lue Jedi.
WHEN BOB MARTINAZZI ATTENDED THE RETURN OF THE JEDI: SPECIAL EDITION IN 1997, LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT THE EXPERIENCE WOULD INSPIRE HIS COLLECTING FOR YEARS TO COME. ATTENDEES OF BOB’S SCREENING WERE GIVEN AN EXCLUSIVE HASBRO ACTION FIGURE REPRESENTING LUKE SKYWALKER IN HIS BLACK JEDI KNIGHT OUTFIT. THAT WAS ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT BOB NEEDED: HE DECIDED TO FOCUS ON COLLECTING THE CHARACTER. THE COLLECTION, WHICH IS ATTRACTIVELY PACKED INTO A ROOM IN BOB’S HOME IN SEVERN, MARYLAND, INCLUDES A HUGE VARIETY OF LUKE-FOCUSED ITEMS, INCLUDING CERAMICS, CORK BOARDS, AND PROTOTYPE TOY ITEMS NEVER AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. BUT THE VINTAGE ACTION FIGURES ARE THE COLLECTION’S CENTERPIECE. THEY TAKE UP THE LENGTH OF AN ENTIRE WALL, EACH OF THEM REPRESENTING A UNIQUE VARIATION OF KENNER’S ORIGINAL FIGURE OF LUKE IN THE FAMOUS BLACK COSTUME. IT’S A SUB-FOCUS THAT JUST KEEPS EXPANDING. “I THOUGHT (IT) WOULD BE AN EASY FOCUS,” MUSES THE 46-YEAR-OLD. “HOW MANY POSSIBLE VINTAGE CARDED VERSIONS OF LUKE JEDI COULD THERE BE? TURNS OUT A LOT MORE THAN I EVER IMAGINED.” HE’S ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR MORE. BUT DON’T TELL HIS WIFE: SHE ONLY LETS HIM KEEP WHAT HE CAN FIT IN THAT ROOM.
Celebration Anaheim Collector Showcase
