I can't begin to give a review as comprehensive as Paul gives for the books, but I did notice this one is not on the list yet. I was fortunate to get this book for under 100 bucks for the huge deluxe prop inclusive version which retailed for $399 if I recalled. It was a fluke overstock on Amazon that awarded such a profound discount and it was gone almost immediately after I got the book unfortunately. There are so many cool issues with this book that they are too overwhelming to mention them all. I think I shall review it based on how I discovered it from the time I opened the book. It was an adventure to say the least.

When you remove the book from the cardboard carton, you realize how immense this sucker is and how heavy too. It is a leather bound folding cover monstrosity but quite beautiful in it's design. There is a resin copy of the rear engine cover section of the M. Falcon attached to the book cover. A cutout for the cover is cut into the other flap which overlaps this Falcon inlaid section. It's quite attractive. The mini Falcon used for the cover was supposedly recast from a screen used miniature Falcon for a long shot with the Star Destroyer etc..... Immediately you know this isn't just a casual coffee table book you've gotten in your possession.

Next you open back both sides to reveal some more miniature props stuck down in little foam lined wells inside. In these little cutouts you will find miniature copies of screen and production used Luke's landspeeder mini models, including mini figures that fit inside...Ben Luke 3PO and R2. There is even a black base with a mirror set at 45 degrees that when displayed make it appear to float above the table you have displayed it on. Wow already it's worth more than you paid for the book. But wait theres more. From memory, I think there are 5 or 6 miniature Death Star surface models tucked away in there. All these things are painted very carefully and look quite authentic. Okay, enough about the bonus toys you get to play with. Let's talk about the book itself.

Underneath the props and covers, there are slots which contain both the main book which is quite comprehensive on the studio scale models used in the entire saga. Huge photos of favorites like the Sandcrawler, Landspeeder, TIE Interceptor, Star Destroyer, Deathstar etc etc. There is even a section for CGI models for those that never existed in their physical forms. Quite a bonus there. I don't have to tell you that I used the heck out of this book when modeling my SS collection.

Within the cover of the book is a signature plate hand signed by Lorne Peterson, principle miniature model maker for ILM/LFL.

The entire presentation cover to cover is just flawless. It is a must have for Studio Model enthusiasts because it encompasses details that you wouldn't notice unless you held the physical model itself.....or have this book.

If you can track this one down, it will certainly fill out your ANH collection, with or without the cool mini props included in the deluxe version.

One more cool feature is a thumbnail index in the back of the book that leads you where in the book that your favorite model resides. Since the models are not necessarily separated by each film, this index is a valuable resource.

Dave

Ahhh you mean Sculpting a Galaxy

Nice writeup, yes the thing I like about this book is the sheer size, like a classic coffee table book that you can do some serious lounging around with. Very few books make me slow down and really take them in but this book does that. There were times I wished they had just more photos or took some of the photos from that back reference and enlarged them as they were better than the ones in the whole book . I got the regular edition as a Christmas gift, from my dear Mom no less.

Only the regular for me - wish it was OT only too. A fantastic book indeed, but disappointed in how badly this was bound