Rancho Obi-Wan Fundraiser Shines at MoPop Museum in Seattle

10/9/2024 Rancho Obi-Wan The SAGA Museum

This past Saturday, October 5, 2024, the Rancho Obi-Wan fundraiser was held at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) in downtown Seattle, right next to the iconic Space Needle. GalacticFigures.com was on location to cover this fantastic event dedicated to raising funds for Rancho Obi-Wan, the world's largest nonprofit Star Wars memorabilia museum as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

First and foremost, a big thank you to Rancho Obi-Wan and David Perry for organizing this incredible event and granting GalacticFigures.com complimentary access.

A Unique Venue for a Unique Event

The MoPop Museum provided a perfect backdrop for the evening. While not all exhibits were open due to the private nature of the event, guests enjoyed access to the Sky Church—where the auction and presentations took place—and the sci-fi section of the museum, featuring original movie props from some of the most iconic science fiction films ever made.

An Evening Filled with Rare Memorabilia

The fundraiser was a haven for Star Wars collectors, offering a treasure trove of rare and exclusive memorabilia up for auction. Highlights included a Gentle Giant Death Trooper helmet (you can learn more about it here), which was originally limited to 5,400 pieces and only available to those who purchased a Nissan Rogue One edition car for $28,950+ in 2017. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to bid on extremely rare Star Wars production items, one storyboard was even signed by legends such as John Dykstra, Phil Tippet and Howard Kazanjian as well as a variety of posters, Kenner and custom Star Wars action figures, books and other rare Star Wars memorabilia. One item which was discussed a lot was the custom-made guitar which featured a POTF2 Millennium Falcon body, it looked amazing and still had functioning light-up electronics (it ended up selling for $5k!).

A Gathering of Star Wars Collectors

The event drew collectors from all over, including international guests from Canada, highlighting the global appeal of Star Wars fandom and collecting. The atmosphere was filled with positive energy as like-minded fans mingled and shared their passion for the galaxy far, far away. Of course drinks were served and the food was excellent, ranging from fried chicken on waffles to smoked salmon served in tiny ice cream cones, adding to the overall enjoyment of the evening.

Besides taking a look at the auction items and mingling with fellow Star Wars collectors, you could get your picture taken with several members of the 501st Legion or you could walk into an interactive booth where attendees could stand on a pedestal while a 360-degree camera captured dynamic video footage—a memorable keepsake for all who participated.

Special Guests and a Major Announcement

Mark Daniel, known for hosting numerous Disney and Star Wars events including Star Wars Celebration, served as the master of ceremonies. He conducted engaging interviews with Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, Lisa Stevens, Vic Wertz, and Duncan Jenkins.

Vic Wertz, Lisa Stevens, Duncan Jenkins, Gus Lopez, Steve Sansweet and Mark Daniel

The highlight of the evening was a groundbreaking announcement: Rancho Obi-Wan is set to merge its collection with the private collections of Gus Lopez, Duncan Jenkins, Lisa Stevens, and Vic Wertz to create the SAGA Museum—the largest public Star Wars memorabilia museum in the world. While the exact location is yet to be determined, with eight U.S. cities under consideration, the team plans to host pop-up exhibits nationwide to gauge interest and finalize the best location. Attendees were treated to a sneak peek of the new logo, merchandise, and even received some exclusive giveaways.

Looking Ahead

If future fundraisers or galas are hosted by Rancho Obi-Wan or the upcoming SAGA Museum, they are events not to be missed. Such occasions offer rare opportunities to see exclusive Star Wars items, add them to your collections, and connect with dedicated collectors and fans. We highly recommend keeping an eye out for upcoming events and participating in supporting these wonderful organizations dedicated to preserving Star Wars history.

Overall, the Rancho Obi-Wan fundraiser at MoPop was an unforgettable experience, celebrating the rich legacy of Star Wars and the passionate community that surrounds it.

Further reading:

• Learn More About The SAGA Museum @ The Rancho Obi-Wan Website
• Breaking News: The SAGA Museum Announced
• The First SAGA Museum Swag
• The SAGA Museum - Podcast Episode #166 of Galactic Figure Talk
• Rancho Obi-Wan Fundraiser 2024 Announced
• Rancho Obi-Wan Image Gallery (2012 charter year)
• I.C.E. Seattle 2013 (Images of Gus Lopez's and Lisa Stevens/Vic Wertz's Collections)