Serious Question...

[zombiemedia]

I've loved browsing around these pages - it all takes me back to being a nipper.

Going to Barkers in S Kensington around the time Empire came out - the whole toy department done up with 'snow' - figures and what not everywhere. Dang...

One christmas I got the cardboard slot together Death Star playset - I've got a photo somewhere - gawd knows what happened to the playset though :/

But it's got me a thinking...where do all the boxed figures come from? How the heck have they survived so long? It's crazy...I've got a handful of the newer figures in boxes in the loft - probably bought around 1996-1998 - are they likely to be worth anything?

 

[jackabina]

They pretty much stay in circulation because of people like us. Some people keep them as an investment, some to re-live their youth. Your modern figures are not worth much at the moment, but one day............... :?:

 

[zombiemedia]

They pretty much stay in circulation because of people like us. Some people keep them as an investment, some to re-live their youth. Your modern figures are not worth much at the moment, but one day............... :?:

So when did the collecting start? Surely there was a period between kids buying and playing, and collectors grading and displaying - where were the figures in between?

Yeah - didn't think they'd have much value - and surely they won't (even in time) because people have bought them and kept them in the loft - therefore taking away the rarity element?

 

[jackabina]

Maybe you're right. Although they do offer a cheap way of owning moc's etc. If we generally collect the vintage stuff because we remember them as kids, why wont younger collectors do the same. I don't think the values will ever be comparable to vintage though.
I think it's fair to say, the brand has been watered down alot by all the modern variants and such. The release of the new films must have revived a love for the original trilogy when it was released.

 

[edd_jedi]

In my opinion the vast majority of those in circulation are from unsold stock, which is why you see so many of the same exact cardbacks in mint condition. They probably originated from the same box. Sure some people will have bought a few and stored them away, but not that many. I know there was a particular Palitoy haul in the early 90s of thousands of unsold figures, which is where the majority of mint Palitoy and German MOCs came from.

 

[zombiemedia]

Maybe you're right. Although they do offer a cheap way of owning moc's etc. If we generally collect the vintage stuff because we remember them as kids, why wont younger collectors do the same. I don't think the values will ever be comparable to vintage though.

Interesting points - I just think that with the later release figures the fact that collectors would have got their mitts on them as well as the kids the demand will somehow be lower - like you say that will drive the value/cost down

I think it's fair to say, the brand has been watered down alot by all the modern variants and such. The release of the new films must have revived a love for the original trilogy when it was released.

George Lucas has watered down the brand/franchise big time.

 

[zombiemedia]

In my opinion the vast majority of those in circulation are from unsold stock, which is why you see so many of the same exact cardbacks in mint condition. They probably originated from the same box. Sure some people will have bought a few and stored them away, but not that many. I know there was a particular Palitoy haul in the early 90s of thousands of unsold figures, which is where the majority of mint Palitoy and German MOCs came from.

Makes sense...
What would you give for the knowledge that all this would have been worth something? Imagine having the know how back in the 70s/80s to buy up and stash all the figures etc...
Madness - damn I need a time machine

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

I would say in the very late 80s perhaps 86-89 was the cool off period :?

Is this a correct assumption being I was alive at the time :wink:

 

[JuniorChubb]

Great post zombie,

I have had similar questions myself, most of my questions have been answered over time.

I think something you have to consider in this is those astute minds that got there first. Those people who realised the potential of these figures (or just genuinely wanted to collect MOC) and started snapping up what was left on the shelves, surplus wholesale stock etc. This backs up what Edd say's, but its one thing that MOC where still available after the production runs had finished, having the foresight/desire to snap them up while others snubbed them is something else.

Like most things in life its those that spot opportunities first get the best results...