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

Were there any surprises last week? For me, yes there were.

I’m surprised nobody purchased the $199 lot. It’s not a good price, but part of me still expected a buyer for the lot. And if I’m being totally honest, I kind of expected a prospector to buy it because of my Light Blue #12 comment. It did not seem unreasonable for a buyer to think, “If he needs it, then maybe it’s rare?”

The Healymade lot surprised me because he dropped his price. I still think it will need to drop again. Or just set it at $0.99 and see what the community decides – unless the seller is too nervous.

The biggest surprise was the 28-pack. I figure “New School” collectors would pay around $50. They paid $72.55 which leaves me speechless.

Finally, we had the two Class A figures from 1-tallponderosa-1.

I thought the Terri-Bull would sell for just a little bit more – closer to $30. The #156 I couldn’t have predicted. It could have be $3.50 or $350 and neither would have surprised me. I probably should have done some homework.

What should we examine on eBay this week? Hmmmmm…

Should it be the Salmon #212 with a $10 BIN? Should it be the same seller’s #162 with a $25 BIN? Hell, should it be this 28-pack with a $75 BIN that might actually sell based on the last one?

No.

Having spent over a decade on this website, and even longer just collecting M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, I know there are only 16 M.U.S.C.L.E. listings that matter on eBay this week.

“You’re just saying that because you’re selling them.”

Wrong. As I said before, I’m selling them for someone else. They could sell for $10,000 or $10 and I’m keeping none of it. Again.

But if you still think that, then you truly don’t understand the significance of these 4-packs.

Before we even get to the specific figures, you have to appreciate the French-Canadian packaging. It is the only variant that is consistent across the packaging – and we rarely see it. We have seen a handful of 10-packs. Two 28-packs. One ring. One sticker variant. And some bubble-less cards.

I remember someone buying this $30 piece of paper. I bought an entire year’s run of He-Man magazine, which included that piece of paper, for $25. The buyer defended it saying something like, “I’m happy. I like this piece of M.U.S.C.L.E. history.” I think I saw them selling (maybe giving away) reprints. If new M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors are working that hard to own M.U.S.C.L.E. history, then these 4-packs are the Tutankhamun discovery of M.U.S.C.L.E. history.

These 4-packs aren’t just for newbies. These should appeal to old school collectors too. I’m just about as old school as it gets. I was giddy when I saw these – because I had never seen them. I can’t say that too often when it comes to M.U.S.C.L.E. items.

The nerd in me also loves the validation these 4-packs provided. For years the prevailing theory was Class A figures came from Canada. It was supported by often finding Class A figures in Canada. These 4-packs are the definitive, inarguable proof that the Class A figures are Canadian. We can look at example after example – featuring some pretty difficult to find figures.

Best of all, every M.U.S.C.L.E. collector is getting a fair shot at them. They all start at $0.99. There is not a BIN. I will not be ending listings early. And I won’t be shill bidding (or have someone do it for me), because the final price doesn’t matter to me. The money doesn’t go to me. Every penny goes to the family of Dani and Irene.

Right now I am selling 16 4-packs for Dani and Irene. I don’t need to comment on each one. If you’re reading this, then you understand the significance of each 4-pack. Instead I’m going to guess the descending order of the sale prices. I have not idea what the prices will be, but maybe I can get the order right from most expensive to least expensive. Here we go…

Let’s see how close I get.