The figure is not an overly attractive color. The figure is not valuable. And the figure is not very obscure (there’s actually an identical figure in another far more expensive M.U.S.C.L.E. auction). However, it is a really nice example of an original Frankenstein-like Amalgam figure from a vending machine. It’s the type of figure that deserves to find a home with a M.U.S.C.L.E. collector that will appreciate its unique appeal and odd place in M.U.S.C.L.E. history.
Given that the other eight figures in the lot are unknown it does make predicting a final price more difficult. However, it is unlikely that there is a sea of bidders waiting to scope up this odd little lot. The final price of this auction will be $8.75.
The second auction, M.U.S.C.L.E.S. MEN LOT OF 53 SOME MOC 1980s VINTAGE, is possibly the most refreshing and charming auction that has been seen in years. First of all, the classic basics are in place: nice auction pictures, decent auction description, fair shipping, and spotless feedback. The opening bid could be validly argued either way. These are the traits that make it refreshing.
But the real charm of the auction comes from the contents. There are 53 figures, 5 garbage cans, and a sealed 4-pack. Given the make-up of the figures, there is a greater than 90% chance these are the original figures from those five 10-pack cans. The odd three figures probably come from a 4-pack – which means one single figure has been lost from this group over the 20 odd years.
Like the first auction, there are not any rare figures in this lot. The 4-pack isn’t in especially great condition. However, seeing this auction is like a perfect snapshot of a child’s collection from 1985.
The final price of this auction will be $59.50.
The third auction, Rare Vintage Large M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Figure 1985 Man, is just kind of funny and evokes thoughts of the toy identifying geniuses that reside in LittleRubberGuys.com’s Toy Identification section. There simply is not a better place in the world for getting the odd and unusual identified quickly.
In fact, a few days ago a collector asked two different message boards if they could identify some odd little robot figures. At the first message board it took almost 24 hours to even get a response – which didn’t have the answer. At LittleRubberGuys.com (LRG), the user had their answer in about an hour.
Back to the auction, the large figure is clearly not a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure – contrary to what the auction description suggests:
Heres Your Chance to Get a Very Rare Large Bandai M.U.S.C.L.E. Man Figure from 1985. I Believe This Figure is From Japan, I Had Purchased it From a Collector About 10 Years Ago. The Figure is Approx 6″ Tall and Seems To Be Made of the Same Plastic as The US M.U.S.C.L.E figures (Not as Soft as Kinnikuman). See Photo w/ Other Figures For Size Reference (2 Small Pink MUSCLE Men Not Included, Show For Size Only). See Last Photo For Markings on Figure. Figue is in Good Condition. Feel Free to Ask Me Any Questions. See My Feedback and Bid With Confidence. Thanks For Looking and Good Luck!
What’s most peculiar (aside from themagic3‘s feedback) is that the picture that showcasing the “markings” clearly show that the figure does not have the YSNT of Kinnikuman and M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.
Hopefully the LRG geniuses will be able to solve the mystery of this figure. And if they are, then they are likely better suited to suggest a final price too.
Follow-Up: The first auction sold for $6.95, which is $1.80 less than the predicted price of $8.75.
The second auction sold for $73.59, which is $14.09 more than the predicted price of $59.50.
There was not a final price prediction made for the 3rd auction. However, it is worth noting that the LRG experts did identify the mystery figure. Unfortunately the seller ended the auction when someone notified him that it was not a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure and instead a Fist of the North Star figure.
#1 by URS on June 30, 2011 - 11:17 am
Like Acidonia mentioned on LRG, it’s a FOTNS character. They came in all the same sizes that Kinnikuman keshi came in. SD, Standard, 4″, and 6″. You will almost always be able to guess a FOTNS kesh simply by the unique standard beige like color they are mostly found in, like the listed sample. They came in other colors, as well, and the SD series didn’t come in this color at all.
#2 by Chad Perry on June 30, 2011 - 11:56 am
So it’s a Fist of The North Star figure, maybe named Zeed.
Any guess on the price?
#3 by clark on July 1, 2011 - 4:43 am
In the first auction, the two flesh figures are FOTNS, and they are Rei (the one on the bottom, and a nameless thug from his story line that constantly attacks a village. The third auction with the big bruiser is definitely FOTNS (YSNT=Yudetamago Shueisha, BHSFF= Buronson Hara Shueisha), but I wouldn’t go as far as to specify a character.
#4 by URS on July 2, 2011 - 3:40 am
Huh. The seller removed the FOTNS auction. Wonder why. The figure isn’t really very valuable I don’t think. But maybe someone went nuts thinking otherwise and made a buy out offer.