Welcome all to the twenty third episode of our collector snapshot, where a vintage collector answers 10 short questions. The same questions will be given to every collector appearing in this segment. Check out our last collector snapshot here – Michael Molloy.
I met Fonz a few years ago on Rebelscum and then met him in person at Celebration Orlando last year. Fonz, Shawn Moynihan, Clint Garniss and myself had a few drinks and a bullshit in Orlando and I’ve been meaning to get him onto the blog since. Not only does Fonz have an incredible collection, but he’s also an intelligent, warm, easy-going and modest dude. Yes, you might have guessed that there is a clearly discernible trend with the type of people I interview here 🙂
Fonz was born and raised in Syracuse, NY where he lives with his wife Katie of eight years and their two labrador retrievers Max and Gus. Fonz is the District Manager at a biotechnology company and has been involved in pharmaceutical sales for 18 years ( nine at his current company). Fonz has lived all across NY state, but moved back to Syracuse 17 years ago.
Now to the questions!
1.How long have you been collecting?
I’ve collected my entire life, starting at four when Star Wars came out. My parents really encouraged my collecting. They took me to the stores to get the figures and ships and sent in the proof of purchases to get the free figures. I actually have the five original Boba Fetts my mother mailed away for. They are very well played with and of course do not have their weapons. I actually saved almost all of my Star Wars toys from when I was a kid. Most are missing several pieces and are not in great condition but they do hold a lot of memories. I started keeping the figures MOC (mint on card) about midway through the ROTJ waves. So I have many MOCs that I purchased from Jedi, POTF, Droids and Ewoks, including a MISB (mint in sealed box) A-Wing.
I took a three year break around 13 and started collecting baseball cards. I grew tired of that pretty quickly and sold a lot of them off to buy more Star Wars figures. I bought a lot of stuff through Toy Shop and was always excited to get a new Action Figure News and Toy Review because it had a price guide. I had a collectible toy shop near me in college and bought a lot of MOCs and MISBs there.
In 94 or 95 I got ‘From Concept to Screen to Collectible’ off QVC when Steve Sansweet was selling the books there. He subsequently signed it for me when I visited Rancho for my 40th b’day.
Speaking of Steve Sansweet…
About 4.5 years ago, from an article about collectible toys on Yahoo, I discovered Rebelscum, followed by the Facebook groups. That opened a completely new world for me of new information, awesome toys and what I love the most, like minded collectors who have become some of my closest friends. I attended my first Celebration in 2016 in Orlando.
2.What do you collect?
I collect high grade MOCs and MISBs. Recently started a tri-logo run and started collecting some foreign toys. I also have a Boba Fett focus that I blame my mother for. She started my obsession with him. Waiting what seemed like an eternity for his figures to come in the mail.
I also have an affinity for 70s MOPARS. I have a 1970 Dodge Challenger.
3.What’s your grail?
It is currently a skinwrapped Canadian General Veers. I would like to have the figure of the only guy to beat the rebels in a battle in the OT (original trilogy).
4.What collector’s inspire you?
I had the most trouble with this question because I could name fifty and I would inevitably leave somebody out. Each have different collections and collect different ways but all of them would be willing to do anything for a fellow collector. That being said, the collector I most admire is the leader of the Empire State Star Wars Collector’s Club (ESSWCC), Tom Quinn (VSWC – we all love Tom! Check out his previous interview with us – Tom Quinn).
Fonz (fourth on the right) and the ESSWCC gang
Fonz hosted an ESSWCC event in January this year
‘Fonz Con’ swag
Fonz Con cake
Fonz Con cake – best Star Wars cake ever!!!!
Christian (VSWC – that’s me!) was the first to reach out to me when I joined Rebelscum and he put me in touch with Tom because he knew he ran the ESSWCC. Despite not knowing who I was, Tom was incredibly welcoming and made sure I knew about the upcoming meet-ups. Once we were able to meet in person we quickly became friends. To say he is the heart and soul of the ESSWCC is an understatement. Not only does he have a great collection, he opens his house up to collectors multiple times each year, plans and organizes our meet ups, gets us involved in events like Celebration and can always be relied on to help out if we need him
5.What is your most embarrassing moment as a collector?
I keep it hidden, but the amount of time and money I put into collecting modern figures is ridiculous. I have a large modern collection that sits in my parents basement which I have just started to sell off. When I think of the vintage items I could have purchased instead of having stuff like six Ric Olie figures (VSWC – I have no idea who that is!) I’m disgusted.
6.What is your favorite Star Wars film?
The Empire Strikes Back. I have the most vivid memories of this film. Whether it was going to see it in the theater or collecting the toys. I also like to see the bad guys win.
7.What would you change about the Star Wars collecting community?
I hate the divisiveness that has been created after the purchase by Disney. I was not the biggest fan of The Last Jedi, but I still really liked parts of it. I don’t understand the blind hatred for anything new now. I really liked Rogue One and Solo. It’s a faction of fans that have never existed until recently.
8.Forums or Facebook groups?
I like the Facebook groups. I love seeing so many pics of other people’s collections. I also like how easy it is to make deals over Facebook.
9.What Star Wars character do you most resemble?
I’m a pretty quiet and unassuming guy, so I think I most resemble Hammerhead. At collector events, you’ll most likely see me hanging out in the corner of the bar quietly drinking my Grey Goose. Similar to what Hammerhead was doing in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
10.Is there one thing collectors might not know about you?
I played D1 baseball in college and signed a pro contract after I graduated. I played in the very low minor leagues for two years on an independent team in Welland, Ontario. I also received my Black Belt in MMA about 10 years ago but haven’t kept up with it.
While I was in college in 1994, I designed, patented and sold the first protective device for Star Wars MOCs. It was called The Figure Frame. We vacuuformed plastic around a wood and plaster mold. It took forever to make one and was not very profitable. We sold a few through Toy Shop.
The Figure Frame
VSWC: Well thank you so much for coming on Fonz! I’m sure everyone feels like they know you a little bit better now!