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

Recently the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. made over a dozen new literature discoveries. Many of the discoveries may force the creation and/or complete reconstruction of the Literature courses. Sadly there have been many challenges posting comprehensive updates. However, the discovery of the November 1986 issue of Working Mother seemed too exciting not to share.

The article, The Right Toys at the Right Age by Joanne Oppenheim, starts on page 159. It focuses on what potential holiday toys are appropriate for different ages of children – specifically focusing toys that help to promote physical, intellectual, and emotional skills. M.U.S.C.L.E. was placed within the eight to ten year old category which notes the interesting dichotomy of the age group. Children want to belong to the group and have the popular items, but are also starting to develop their own interests. This paradigm is often echoed by many collectors that remember being introduced to M.U.S.C.L.E. figures at school or trading them with their friends – yet enjoying the uniqueness and creativity that M.U.S.C.L.E. figures seemed to encourage and allow.

Page 159: Featured Article

Page 168: 8-10 Year Old Intro

Page 170: M.U.S.C.L.E. Mentioned

M.U.S.C.L.E. received both a picture and a brief mention in the eight to ten year old section:

Among the schoolyard crowd, M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Packs (Mattel, $1 and up) are a new fad. These tradable, collectible wrestling figures are an update on baseball cards.

The picture is especially interesting for three main reasons:

1. It features ten figures. As many of the other pictures feature intact products, it seems to be a safe assumption that these ten figures came from a single 10-pack of figures.

2. The figures are Flesh, Dark Blue, Red, and Purple. This combination has often been considered the “first wave” of Color M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Given the date of the magazine, and the likely lead time necessary to create the magazine, it seems to further support that the figures came from a Flesh, Dark Blue, Red, and Purple 50/50 10-pack.

3. All of the figures are confirmed authentic M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, as they are all Class C figures.

The ten figures in the picture, likely from a single 10-pack, are:

#1 – Flesh
#20 – Flesh
#55 – Flesh
#107 – Dark Blue
#118 – Dark Blue
#136 – Flesh
#143 – Red
#181 – Red
#217 – Purple
#223 – Purple

The remaining articles, and any potential changes to the Literature areas, will be unveiled over the next few weeks. If there are any questions or concerns, then please email them to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E..