For many collectors the Purple #153 is the holy grail. Love it. Hate it. It doesn’t matter. The Purple #153 is arguably the most popular M.U.S.C.L.E. figure, which is why this particular auction is so interesting.
Purple #153 figures always demand a premium price. However, this is the first Purple #153 to come up for sale with noticeable damage. The figure is scuffed. Because M.U.S.C.L.E. figures are so resistant to most damage, and/or deterioration, condition is not a major topic of concern for collectors.
How will this tiny scuff impact this hugely popular figure’s final price?
The second auction, MUSCLE Men Toy Lot, M.U.S.C.L.E.s, Kinnikuman Custom HELL TURTLE!, looks to be a fortuitous auction for an opportunistic collector.
Normally buying directly from the artists involved with custom figures is encouraged. It this case it would be (Eric Nilla and IRONHAUS Productions). However, when a seller has listed a figure as great as Hell Turtle, with his extra accessories and at a low price, it would be foolish not to try and scoop the figure up at a discount.
Support little figure artists directly, but don’t let this Hell Turtle slip through the cracks.
The third auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men Flesh colored Action Figures Wrestlers Kinkeshi Satan Cross, is one that should appeal to every single M.U.S.C.L.E. collector. Sure the auction has a Satan Cross and the two Ring Figures – but the real attraction is 214 M.U.S.C.L.E. figures starting at $0.01 with free shipping.
There is no doubt that the Satan Cross will ultimately price the price of this auction higher, but most collectors are likely to throw in a bid. It is always possible that another bidder forgets to bid or a sniper waits too long. For a nice big lot like this one, it never hurts to try and score a deal.
The fourth auction, MUSCLE Men Toy Lot, M.U.S.C.L.E.s, Kinnikuman, Claw Lot!!, is a bit of a shock. Not necessarily the price, but where the price has started. The #153, as previously mentioned, is widely popular. However, aside from the Purple version, the other colors are not very difficult to find.
Regardless of the #153 price debate, this price is a bit of a shock. Seeing the auction end, after a bidding war, at or around $100 would not have been too shocking. However, it is surprising that an early bid was placed on the $100 opening price.
When M.U.S.C.L.E. auctions start with a high, but not crazy, price it is very common for bidders to wait until much closer to the end of the auction. It’s not a rule, but it is pretty common behavior. Clearly with this auction there is a very excited bidder and a very lucky seller.
The fifth auction, MUSCLE Men Toy Lot, M.U.S.C.L.E.s, Kinnikuman, Claw!!, represents an interesting perspective regarding the #153 figure.
M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors are often more than willing to vastly over spend on the #153 figure. The majority of these figures are loose. Here an attractive Red #153, mixed in with a nice mix of figures, on a nice looking 4-pack is completely overlooked.
If an extreme premium is placed on these figures, then it seems rational to expect a mint version, on a 4-pack, and in very, very good condition would be hugely desirable item. Admittedly many M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors do not care about collecting specific figures in packaging. However, with #153’s popularity it seems like an item that many collectors would bid on at a starting price of $50 – and maybe even quickly purchase at a BIN of $75.
Maybe this is simply a sign that regardless of the answers uncovered about M.U.S.C.L.E. figures there will always be some M.U.S.C.L.E. mysteries.
