UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors are a funny bunch. We vehemently agree on somethings and angrily disagree on others. One of the constants is having a sealed 4-pack as a part of each collector’s collection. Some collectors may want to track down each type of 4-pack; some may want to track down one with their favorite figure. But everybody wants to have at least one.

Acquiring a 4-pack has always been easy too. A decent 4-pack could routinely be purchased for $15 to $20. Collectors wanting an immaculate 4-pack may pay more. A very desirable figure may drive up the price too. But an utterly average 4-pack is going to sell for around $15 to $20. That’s why the first auction instantly caught my attention.

The first auction, 1985 Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E. 4-Pack They’re Wierd Wild Wrestlers #2637 Japan Rare!, stopped me dead in my tracks. It caused me no anger because I was confused. It has a BIN of $300. What was I missing?

I assumed there must be a Non-Poster figure or Satan Cross. Maybe it was a bilingual card? Was something different about the front or back of the card?

Nope. Nothing.

This is an utterly average 4-pack. It is less than average. It is a damaged 4-pack. It has very substantial damage to the front of the card.

I am unable to offer an explanation of this $300 BIN price. I am unable to even make a rational guess because the price is so completely irrational.

The second auction, Vintage Lot (4) Sealed & (4) Loose Muscle Men M.U.S.C.L.E. Mattel Figures, makes the first auction even more confusing.

Here are four 4-packs, plus four more figures, with a starting bid of $9.99. If you were going to list any item for hundreds of dollars, then wouldn’t you consider some of the other auctions listed?

I shouldn’t solely focus on the first auction. This lot of 4-packs certainly deserves attention (and some bids).

The biggest issue with these 4-packs are the price tags. Some collectors find price tags distracting and lessen the appeal of the box or card. I couldn’t disagree with this idea more. I love price tags. I truly believe they add significant charm to any piece.

The 4-packs aren’t in mint condition, but they are in very fair condition. With a $9.99 opening bid I can see lots of interest in this auction. I like the Walgreens 2-for-$1 price tag so much I feel a compulsion to place a bid.

I need to keep reminding myself that I don’t actually need it. But…

The first auction had a silly price tag. The second auction is a good auction. The third auction might combine those two things.

The third auction, Mattel M.U.S.C.L.E MUSCLE MEN Kinnikuman 4 pack UNPUNCHED w Claw 153 179 117 166, is a 4-pack in very, very good condition with a $12 opening bid. Oh, it also has the popular Salmon #153 figure as one of the figures.

Collectors that love the #153 are almost always willing to pay premium prices that often shock collectors. Given that the 4-pack is in shockingly good condition the price could climb higher than expected too. This is such a nice 4-pack it could pull in bids from collectors looking to upgrade their display 4-pack.

I like the Walgreens sticker more, but that’s just me. Other collectors may disagree. Do all collectors agree that two of the three auctions are pretty damn cool?