May the Fourth: Star Wars Special Collections In-person
In a galaxy not so far away, take a look inside the world of The Nicholas A. Salerno Star Wars Collection inside Hayden Library’s Wurzburger Reading Room! On May 4, from noon to 2 p.m., view publicity materials and merchandising products for the original Star Wars film series released from 1977 to 1983.
Discover press kits and promotional materials; journal, magazine and newspaper articles; still photographs; co-branded and licensed merchandising products; posters; and fabric textiles. Rare items include the Revenge of the Jedi pre-release press kit. Merchandising objects include action figures and the Millennium Falcon, Dagobah and Ewok Village playsets.
Inspired by legendary actor Harrison Ford’s invitation to speak at ASU Undergraduate Commencement, this special event is hosted by ASU Library with support from the Department of English.
Seonaid Valiant, director of scholar engagement and interim associate curator for Rare Books, and Kevin Sandler, associate professor in the Film and Media Studies Program who created ASU’s Star Wars Universe course, will answer questions and share fun facts about the collections.
Bring a friend and celebrate May the Fourth!
Image Credit: Photograph from “The Empire Strikes Back” Press Kit, from the Arizona State University Nicholas Salerno Collection.
- Date:
- Monday, May 4, 2026
- Time:
- 12:00 pm - 02:00 pm
- Time Zone:
- Arizona Time (change)
- Location:
- Hayden Library Wurzburger Reading Room
- Campus:
- Tempe campus
- Audience:
- Alumni Faculty Freshman General Public Staff Undergraduate
