However, the smaller M.U.S.C.L.E. figures just don’t have the broad appeal that they once had. This lot will probably go for more than it could as individual figures, but probably not much more than another lot of color M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. It will be interesting to see the final price of this auction.
The second auction, LOT OF 13 MUSCLE KINNIKUMAN SUNSHINE FIGURES ARCH SPINNER #3, 15, 107, 195, is similar to the first but with one important distinction – it features much more popular figures.
The popularity of the “brick” figures will probably push this lot well past what it is actually worth. Collectors seem to go crazy for a popular figure put together in a lot like this one. Maybe it’s the colors? Maybe it’s the sculpts? It is hard to know for sure, but these types of auctions cause great excitement. This auction will be interesting to watch – not just because of the final price, but because how much higher the final price will be than people suspect.
The third auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Figure Bright Orange No hands One Foot Error, is certainly a curiosity. It purports to be an error, but is it?
It’s hard to know for sure, but there are certainly a few things working against it. First, the seller seems horribly desperate to make as much money as possible. That’s not a bad thing, but you make zero money when you attach ridiculous price tags to items (just look at some of the seller’s other auctions). The terrible poster with the $100 price tag might be the worst example. With such a money hunger seller it is highly unlikely that the seller as inspected the figure with a diligent, objective, experienced, and critical eye. That never helps to uncover the truth.
The left hand of the figure also looks a bit odd – a bit more uneven then normal seen in errors. Lastly there is a bit of black on the rear side of the right leg. If this is simply a tortured M.U.S.C.L.E. figure, then that could be discoloration from burning. Of course, it could just be a stain too.
Maybe it’s an error or maybe it’s a tortured M.U.S.C.L.E. figure? With a $9.95 opening bid, plus shipping, it does not really seem to be the best gamble ever. A $1 starting bid might create a little bid more of a bidding war. However, as of writing, the auction already has one bidder on the $9.95 opening price. Will this be a great deal for a buyer looking for an error figure or will it be a terrible deal for a tortured figure?
Hopefully the winner will share the outcome with collectors.
The final auction, Vintage Lot of 6 ANTIQUE Rubber Towns People Figures Estate 50 60 He Man, is not very good – but it is a wonderful positive reminder.
This mislabeled lot contains a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. This time it might only be a #104, but next time it could be the next popular Class A figure or even an Alpha or Beta Non-Poster figure. It gets easy to zero in on specific M.U.S.C.L.E. searches on eBay, but have a little fun too. Collectors need to keep looking in different places and keep having fun!
The fun can sometimes be one of the easiest parts to forget about collecting. The fourth auction is a happy reminder that the next amazing find might be where you are least expecting it. Or maybe not. Either way, occasionally going off the beaten path may lead to a little fun.
