Well actually, it was 1977 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Go figure! Kenner didn't know what they were in for, and neither did we. No one thought that the George Lucas 1977 space epic was going to re-define filmmaking, science fiction, and yes... merchandising forever. Caught with their blasters in the holster, Kenner knew they couldn't have their first collection of action figures in stores for Christmas of 1977, so they teased them in a pre-sale campaign. They sold envelopes containing a cardboard display for the forthcoming figures and a mail in certificate that would insure the owner a set of the first four figures to be released. In the first quarter of 1978, Kenner made good on the promise and shipped mailer boxes containing the first Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 figures along with peg displays. The galaxy was never the same.

The vintage action figure, playset, and accessory lines were released from 1978 to 1985. From 78 to 83 They were packaged under the titles, or "brands", of the three original films; Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. In 1985 Kenner also released figures and accessories under the Star Wars brands of Droids and Ewoks to take advantage of the spin off animated television series and comic book line. A final line (of the vintage era) constituted what is known as "the last 17". They were released under the title: The Power of the Force. Figures from these three final lines were packaged with exclusive collector coins, adding to their appeal and later, their collectible value.

In those 7 years, Kenner released 115 figures, 34 vehicles, 13 playsets (I think), 4 beasts, 12 minirigs, and countless toy accessories from carrying cases to weapons & supply packs. And of course there are the 12" figures and the Micro Collection, just to get all sizes covered. Kenner and Star Wars set a new standard for merchandising and film promotion, and in doing so, gave birth to the current action figure and toy market for both children and collectors. Highly valuable and packed with more nostalgia than you can swing a lightsaber at, the vintage Star Wars lines have become one of the most, if not the most, popular collectors items in the world.

Thinking of collecting? Come to the dark side...it is your destiny.

STAR WARS 1977
Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
Chewbacca
Luke Skywalker
Princess Leia Organa
Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
Darth Vader
Han Solo
See-Threepio (C-3PO)
Stormtrooper
Death Squad Commander / Star Destroyer Commander
Jawa
Sand People / Sandpeople / Tusken Raider

STAR WARS 1978
Greedo
Hammerhead
Snaggletooth
Walrus Man
Arfive-Defour (R5-D4)
Death Star Droid
Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Fighter Pilot)
Power Droid

STAR WARS 1979
Boba Fett

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 1980
Bossk (Bounty Hunter)
Bespin Security Guard (I)
FX-7 (Medical Droid)
Han Solo (Hoth Outfit/Battle Gear)
IG-88 (Bounty Hunter)
Imperial Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)
Lando Calrissian
Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)
Princess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown)
Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear)
Yoda / Yoda The Jedi Master
Dengar
Han Solo (Bespin/Cloud City Outfit)
Lobot / Lobot (Lando's Aid)
Ugnaught
AT-AT Driver
Princess Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)
Imperial Commander
Rebel Commander
2-1B/ Two-Onebee (2-1B)
AT-AT Commander/ General Veers
Luke Skywalker (Hoth Battle Gear)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 1977 (Date stamp not changed)
Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (With Sensorscope) / R2-D2 (With Periscope)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 1981
Bespin Security Guard (II)
Cloud Car Pilot / (Twin Pod) Cloud Car Pilot
4-LOM

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 1982
See-Threepio (C-3PO) With Removable limbs
Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot
Zuckuss

RETURN OF THE JEDI 1982
Admiral Ackbar
Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise)

RETURN OF THE JEDI 1983
Nien Nunb
Bib Fortuna
Biker Scout
Chief Chirpa
Emperor's Royal Guard
Gamorrean Guard
General Madine
Klaatu
Logray (Ewok Medicine Man)
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit)
Princess Leia Organa (Boushh Disguise)
Rebel Commando
Ree-Yees
Squid Head
Weequay
8D8
Klaatu (In Skiff Guard Outfit)
Nikto

SY SNOOTLES AND THE REBO BAND (1983)
Droopy McCool
Max Rebo
Sy Snootles

RETURN OF THE JEDI 1984
The Emperor
AT-ST Driver
B-Wing Pilot
Han Solo (In Trench Coat)
Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho)
Pruneface
Rancor Keeper
Teebo
Wicket W. Warrick

RETURN OF THE JEDI No Date stamp (released in 1984)
Lumat
Paploo

POWER OF THE FORCE 1977 (Date stamp not changed)
Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) With Pop Up Lightsaber

POWER OF THE FORCE 1984
A-Wing Pilot
Han Solo (In Carbonite Chamber)
Imperial Dignitary
Imperial Gunner
Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper Outfit)

POWER OF THE FORCE 1985
Anakin Skywalker
Amanaman
Barada
EV-9D9
Lando Calrissian (General Pilot)
Luke Skywalker (In Battle Poncho)
Romba
Warok
Yak Face

DROIDS 1985
  Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
  A-Wing Pilot
  Boba Fett
  Jann Tosh
  Jord Dusat
  Kea Moll
  Kez-Iban
  See-Threepio (C-3PO)
  Sise Fromm
  Thall Joben
  Tig Fromm
  Uncle Gundy
  Vlix

Ewoks 1985
 Dulok Scout
 Dulok Shaman
 King Garneesh
 Logray
 Ugrah Lady Garneesh
 Wicket W. Warrick

STAR WARS Vehicles
  Darth Vader TIE Fighter
  Imperial TIE Fighter
  Imperial Troop Transporter
  Land Speeder
  Millennium Falcon
  Radio Controlled Jawa Sandcrawler (Radio-controlled)
  Sonic Controlled Land Speeder (JC Penney's Exclusive)
  X-Wing Fighter

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Vehicles
  AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport)
  Battle Damaged X-Wing Fighter
  Darth Vader's Star Destroyer
  Imperial Cruiser (Sears Exclusive)
  Rebel Armored Snowspeeder
  Rebel Transport
  Scout Walker
  Slave I
  Twin-Pod Cloud Car

RETURN OF THE JEDI Vehicles
  Battle Damaged Imperial TIE Fighter
  B-Wing Fighter
  Endor Forest Ranger
  Ewok Assault Catapult
  Ewok Combat Glider
  Imperial Shuttle
  Speeder Bike
  TIE Interceptor
  Y-Wing Fighter

POWER OF THE FORCE Vehicles
  Ewok Battle Wagon
  Imperial Sniper
  One-Man Sand Skimmer
  Security Scout
  Tatooine Skiff

DROIDS Vehicles
  A-Wing Fighter
  ATL Interceptor
  Side Gunner

STAR WARS Playsets
  Cantina Adventure Set (Sears Exclusive)
  Creature Cantina
  Death Star Space Station
  Death Star Space Station (Palitoy)
  Droid Factory
  Land of the Jawas

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Playsets
  Cloud City Playset (Sears Exclusive)
  Dagobah Playset
  Hoth Ice Planet Playset
  Imperial Attack Base
  Rebel Command Center
  Turret and Probot

RETURN OF THE JEDI Playsets
  Ewok Village
  Jabba the Hutt
  Jabba the Hutt Dungeon I
  Jabba the Hutt Dungeon II

STAR WARS Creatures 
  Patrol Dewback

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Creatures
  Tauntaun
  Tauntaun with Open Belly Rescue Feature
  Hoth Wampa

RETURN OF THE JEDI Creatures
  Rancor

MINI-RIGS
  AST-5 (Armored Sentinel Transport)
  CAP-2 (Captivator)
  Desert Sail Skiff
  Endor Forest Ranger
  INT-4 (Interceptor)
  ISP-6 (Imperial Shuttle Pod)
  MLC-3 (Mobile Laser Cannon)
  MTV-7 (Multi-Terrain Vehicle)
  PDT-8 (Personnel Deployment Transport)

DISPLAY STANDS
  Display Stand
  Display Arena (mail in)

ACCESSORIES
  Ewok Combat Set
  Radar Laser Cannon
  Rescue on Hoth
  Speeder Bike Set
  Tripod Laser Cannon
  Vehicle Maintenance Energizer

COLLECTOR CASES
  C-3PO Case
  Chewbacca Bandolier Strap
  Darth Vader Case
  Empire Vinyl Storage Case
  Jedi Vinyl Storage Case
  Laser Rifle Case
  Star Wars Vinyl Storage Case

STAR WARS Figures
  Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2)
  Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
  Boba Fett
  Chewbacca
  Darth Vader
  Han Solo
  Jawa
  Luke Skywalker
  Princess Leia Organa
  See-Threepio (C-3PO)
  Stormtrooper

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Figures
  IG-88 (Bounty Hunter)

One of my favorite but often overlooked lines of vintage Star Wars toys is the Micro Collection. The unique die-cast figures and detailed playsets have become highly sought after, especially for those collectors looking to create great looking displays.
These are NOT to be confused with Galoob's SW Micro Machines of the 1990's.

STAR WARS MICRO COLLECTION
  Death Star Escape
  Death Star Compactor
  Death Star World
  Hoth Wampa Cave
  Hoth Generator Attack
  Hoth Turret Defense
  Hoth Ion Cannon
  Hoth World
  Bespin Gantry
  Bespin Control Room
  Bespin Freeze Chamber
  Bespin World
  Millennium Falcon
  X-Wing Fighter
  TIE Fighter
  Snowspeeder
  "Build Your Armies" Mail Away