The goal of the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. is to dive into and document the minutia of M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting. However, there are questions that frequently arise on topics that many seasoned collectors consider basic. To help all collectors achieve a more equal understanding of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. will introduce – Elementary M.U.S.C.L.E. Education.
The second topic, “Did I find a one-of-a-kind Dark Blue/Purple figure?”
The simple answer is no.
Is this a rare
Blue/Purple error #132?
When I received the package I was devastated to learn that it was simply a faded Purple #221 figure. The one side appeared to be Dark Blue and the other Purple. A few years later I received a large lot of figures that had sun damage. It was clear that exposure to sun could easily alter the figure. It could make a Purple figure look Dark Blue.
I thought my little discovery was interesting, widely known, and not too interesting.
However, I have been asked this kind of question many times before. Most often it’s a simple question sent to UofMUSCLE@gmail.com asking something like, “Did I find a one-of-a-kind Dark Blue/Purple figure? It’s Dark Blue on onside and Purple on the other.” And the canned answer is, “Without pictures I think what you have is a sun-faded figure. It’s not really an error or anything special, but it is a neat little figure. It’s a cool reminder that many of these figures have been forgotten about for over 20 years.”
But occasionally the person proactively includes some pictures. And I can definitively say, “You’ve got a Purple figure that has faded to Dark Blue. It’s not really an error or anything special, but it is a neat little figure. It’s a cool reminder that many of these figures have been forgotten about for over 20 years.”
Damaged #132 – Front
Damaged #132 – Back
Damaged #132 – Side View
Another example, faded Purple #174:
So the next time you see one of these figures, you’ll know exactly what you have. And enjoy it! Try and make your own. Dr. M.U.S.C.L.E. will certainly be experimenting.
Elementary
M.U.S.C.L.E. Education
