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

Sure, sure, sure – some stuff sold. You can see the prices. I am infinitely more interested in the results from the AW #264 poll.

Wow. I hope other people are as interested in this as I am. I’m fascinated by the results. Declaring any major takeaway from the data feels like hyperbole. I’m fighting the urge to overstate anything. However, I do feel comfortable stating that the desirable Class A pool is smaller than I thought and will shrink sooner than I expected.

Speaking of Class A figures, let’s take a look at a very notable one.

The first auction, M.U.S.C.L.E. Muscle Men, Mattel Class A Purple Claw 153 Lot Set Every Color Made, is a complete collection of #153 figures.

I’ve highlighted five Purple #153’s so far this year. This is the sixth instance. The popularity of this figure alone makes it easily a Class A figure. But the $800 BIN seems far-fetched.

The most recent #153 figure sold for $500. Before that, the King of $0.99 Class A auctions (lint-speed), sold one for $570 as we saw the price free-falling.

I don’t think anybody is going to feel like a complete color collection of #153 figures is a deal at $800. That price tag feels a few years too late.

The $500 #153 had one bidder. I think the pool of collectors willing to spend over $500 on a Purple #153 has dried up. But I think the pool of collectors willing to spend $300 to $400 is probably pretty full.