Editor’s Note: Whether you’re a regular reader of this blog or not, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of, or met, Steve Sansweet. (And he’s appeared in the blog many, many times.) In addition to owning the world’s largest collection of Star Wars collectibles — on display at Rancho Obi-Wan — Steve has been a frequent presence at fan conventions, expos and gatherings around the world. He is also an advisor to Lucasfilm, where he served for over a decade as the company’s Head of Fan Relations. And now he’s a blogger. Welcome, Steve!
Well hello there!
My name is Steve and I’m a Star Warsaholic. No, not really—not even from a certain point of view. Star Wars is my passion, not an addiction. It’s been a passion all my life, which sounds preposterous given that I was in my early 30s when the movie premiered. It’s just that I now realize I’d been waiting for it, without knowing what “it” was, the first half of my life.
I grew up devouring classic science fiction courtesy of a neighbor who was an early subscriber to the Science Fiction Book Club. And I was present at the dawn of the Space Age, delivering newspapers with headlines about this rocket success or that satellite failure. In those crisp early-morning hours when all else was quiet, I felt like the harbinger of amazing news to all those on my route.
I became a writer for the newspaper I delivered, the Philadelphia Inquirer, later moving onto a 26-year career as a reporter and editor at The Wall Street Journal. I saw Star Wars on the backlot of 20th Century Fox at a media preview two weeks before it opened. I felt like that young newsboy again—a herald—and life has never been the same.
In the years to come I would start to write Star Wars books (my 16th will be published in October), do 50 hours of QVC Star Wars specials (and bought everything I sold), have a 15-year second career at Lucasfilm (where I’m still a consultant), and collect a few pieces here and there—leading to the recent incorporation of the non-profit Rancho Obi-Wan as home of the world’s largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia.
I’ve got lots of stories to share and also want to know what you’d like to hear about. Hey! How about the time…. Oops! Over the word limit. Please stop back tomorrow.
Tags: Contributors, Rancho Obi-Wan, Steve Sansweet
Hey Steve! Good to see you here!
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U need a tan….All those days in Peru and you didnt bother getting a tan..LOL!
hello Steve – you have such a wealth of Star Wars info to share and your blog will never run dry or get stale- Best always, Tom
you need no introductions, Sir!
Can’t wait to read your stories!
=D
Congrats on your new position, Steve! Glad to see you doing what you do best!
You’d think they could find someone more interesting to blog, sheesh! Kidding, all the best Steve!
Congratulations Steve on the new position. You so such a great job with everything in the star wars fan and collecting community. Keep up the good work and May The Force Be With You Always Steve.
Great to see you are entering another fun phase of your passion; blogging. I followed your link on face book and now can follow you here as well.
You are coming to CVI, yes? I look forward to seeing you there. We had some good chats at the 501st banquet last time.
I would love it if you could give us a little blog on what you actually do with your collection. Do you spend time playing with the cool toys, strolling through, visiting favorite collections, etc. How does one interact with the world’s largest private SW collection of goodies?
MTFBWY..
Terry
Hi Steve, welcome to the blogosphere.
Hey Steve, I’m counting on you for something good to read so don’t mess this up
That’s a great start for the blog with Steve onboard !
Congrats Steve! I can’t imagine a better fit for the Star Wars blog.
I am SO glad to see you in this saddle. Fan’s have been missing a link to Hasbro who actually cares for too long.
It’s okay, Tom. Lucas said he’d digitally add the tan for him when the blog gets a Special Edition.
Hi Steve,
I’m glad to see you will be contributing your vast knowledge to this blog. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon – my wife and I are hoping to visit Rancho Obi-Wan some time this summer.
If not, we’ll see you at C6.
All the best.
Thanks all for visiting, and I hope you come back often. Now to answer some questions.
–I am actually well-tanned from Peru, Ricky. The photo preceded the trip; no VFX needed!
–Tom, I look forward to sharing some of the fun and great stories from my 35 years of Star Wars fandom.
–Thanks JediMom, Cole, Sompeetalay, Kenny, and all the rest for your good wishes.
–Sithspawn, I’ll try not to mess up!
–Teresa, many thanks for the ideas. You can bet that I’ll be writing about all of those topics over time.
–Obi “Juan,” I look forward to showing you and your wife around Rancho Obi-Wan…or Obi-Juan as the case might be!
Hi Steve! Good luck in this new adventure. We are willing to see you in August. Muchos besos!
Steve you mentioned the QVC specials. This is where I first saw you years ago when the SW Insider and Starlog were the only real places to get Star Wars news.
Do you still do any specials with QVC? I haven’t seen one in years!
The Force is whole again with Steve officially back in the Star Wars fold.
Welcome back Steve!
Welcome Steve. Always a breath of fresh air, I am very happy you will be contributing to this blog. Looking forward to more!
Gracias, gracias, gracias. Por haber estado y estar tan cerca de las personas. Besoss
Good luck with your new experiece!