Meet the Experts: Duncan Jenkins

A series of summer talks with Duncan Jenkins, who has amassed one of the largest private collections of Star Wars memorabilia in the world.

About this Event

The Force is strong at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. BUY TICKETS at the speed of light for an intergalactic series of Star Wars talks with world-renowned collector Duncan Jenkins. Refreshments and appetizers will be provided, including Space Camper Cosmic IPA donated by Boulevard Brewing Company.

This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

About Duncan Jenkins

Duncan Jenkins started collecting Star Wars in the summer of 1977. Since then, he has amassed one of the largest private collections of Star Wars memorabilia in the world. Jenkins has shared his extensive knowledge of collecting with presentations at every domestic and international Star Wars Celebration, as well as various conventions throughout the world. He is co-author of Gus and Duncan’s Comprehensive Guide to Star Wars Collectibles and three other books on Star Wars collectibles. Jenkins is an editor for The Star Wars Collector’s Archive (www.theswca.com) and contributor to numerous articles on www.StarWars.com, in magazines, books, and TV/radio programs. He is also Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Rancho Obi-Wan, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum housing the world’s largest Star Wars collection.

Star Wars Prototypes: How the Toys Were Made

Thursday, July 17, 2025

7:00-8:00PM

One of the most famous toy lines of all time, the Kenner Star Wars action figures are instantly recognizable. However, how did these toys come to be? The process from original concept to the finished product for sale in a toy store was elaborate and lengthy. Buy tickets to learn about the fascinating stages required to create these ubiquitous toys, as well as one-of-a-kind prototypes and unreleased pieces.

Beyond the Toys

Thursday, August 21, 2025

7:00-8:00PM

The Kenner Star Wars action figures and toys from 1977 to 1985 formed one of the most popular and enduring toy lines of all time, but they were only part of the licensing juggernaut for the original trilogy of movies. An unprecedented array of other products was sold with the Star Wars brand—apparel, food products, bedspreads, school supplies, and more. Did you know there was only one licensed spherical Death Star item released in the first twenty years of Star Wars merchandise? Or that a country in South America released tubs of margarine with character art from Return of the Jedi? Buy tickets to find out more about these and other humorous and obscure pieces from the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars Toys Worldwide

Thursday, September 18, 2025

7:00-8:00PM

Did you have the 1978 C-3PO action figure? Did it shoot missiles from its chest? Probably not, unless you lived in Japan. Was your Hoth Snowtrooper action figure blue? Not unless you had the “Blue Stars” action figure sold in Turkey. These are just a couple of examples of how the Star Wars action figures and toys around the world differed from the Kenner line familiar to kids growing up in the USA from 1977 to 1985. Buy tickets to look at the far-reaching popularity of those toys from Argentina to the United Kingdom and what was unique in other countries: different packaging, different sizes, and even completely different toys.

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