One of the country’s best collections of vintage Star Wars toys and other memorabilia will be on display at a new exhibition.

On the opening day of the exhibit, at The Novium Museum in Tower Street, Chichester, visitors will also get the chance to meet Storm Troopers.

May The Toys Be With You, which opens on Saturday, October 7, is a celebration of the now highly collectable vintage toy line and of the design work and art of the original Star Wars movies.

The Argus: Star Wars figures from 1978Star Wars figures from 1978 (Image: The Novium Museum)

Back when the movie Star Wars broke box office records in 1977, no one could have predicted that the merchandise would go on to earn even more than the film itself.

The toys of Star Wars took the world by storm and became the must-have playthings for an entire generation.

From 1977 to 1985 an estimated 300 million action figures were sold, allowing children to re-enact the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo.

The Argus: This 1977 movie poster is one of many that will be on displayThis 1977 movie poster is one of many that will be on display (Image: The Novium Museum)

The exhibition features hundreds of incredible vintage toys, posters and memorabilia, including:

  • A 1977 movie poster by the Brothers Hildebrant. Given 36 hours to complete the poster, the twins worked together in a non-step session to make the print deadline
  • A 1978 Death Star model. Rather than make a large expensive plastic playset, this design used cardboard pieces which slotted together to create the corridors and chambers of the Empire’s battle station
  • 1978 Millennium Falcon. Designed by Kenner engineer Mark Boudreaux, this was a spaceship and playset in one. Children could sit Han Solo and Chewbacca in the cockpit
  • The first 12 Star Wars figures from 1978. The term "action figure" was coined in 1964 to describe the 12in tall Action Man and Barbie figures. Kenner made the Star Wars figures smaller at just 3.75in because they also wanted to create accompanying spaceships and playsets
  • Archive footage of movie trailers and interviews with the toy makers

Visitors can also look forward to some interactive gallery features, dressing up as a Star Wars characters and posing for a selfie with a Storm Trooper, trails.

There will also be even more toys from the 1970s and a chance to look through a vintage toy box.

The Argus: Death Star toy from 1978Death Star toy from 1978 (Image: The Novium Museum)

Collector and exhibition curator Matt Fox said: “From X-wing fighters to Lightsabers, these fantastic designs have fired our imaginations and stamped their place on our cultural landscape.

"This exhibition has broken visitor attendance records at a host of museums around the country and we’re excited to now bring it to The Novium Museum in Chichester.”

Councillor Jess Brown-Fuller, Chichester District Council’s cabinet member for culture and events, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing this fascinating exhibition to Chichester, which will appeal to fans of all ages. This is an unmissable opportunity to view many rarely seen Star Wars treasures.”

May The Toys Be With You opens at The Novium Museum on Saturday, 7 October 2023 and will run until Saturday, 20 April 2024. Tickets cost £4 for adults, £2.50 for children and £12 for a family of up to five (maximum two adults).