EatTheseCrackers
Freaked Out
- Joined
- May 2, 2013
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 0
I've had a few grail toy chases in my life.
The first and longest pursuit was for a Blank figure from the **** Tracy line. I remember wanting him so bad and not finding him the summer the film was released. Than fall came and an employee at our local Toy Liquidators was telling my family that he was out in Canada but not here - this was before the Internet so I'm guilty of not believing him.
I finally wrote a letter, with my moms help, and sent it off to Playmates Toys. They actually sent me a letter back months later. In the letter they addressed my enthusiasm but as a company had decided not to manufacture the Blank. I held onto that letter for years ... But you get older, get a girlfriend, and eventually that letter disappears. Funny that my dad knew enough to tell me at the time that the letter may be worth something someday. How I wish I had it to post online!
I believed the letter until I finally had proof of the figure thanks to toy magazines like Lee's and eventually a local dealer by the name of Dr. Tongue's who told me of how he had sold a few. By than the letter was gone so all I have is my word that Playmates said they werent going to manufacture him.
Years later, thanks to ebay, I'm the owner of at least two carded Blanks. I had a third but sold it. Still, an interesting adventure for a figure .....
My second quest which at times ran parallel to the first was for a complete collection of Kenner Robin Hood toys, including the rare Sherwood Forest. Again, years of no internet or shops dealing in secondary market toys had me only imaging these but around 2002 and thanks to ebay, I was able to get all of the figures carded, both mini weapon sets and the Forest - all mint in box. Later a boxed Battle Wagon came across the pond and I finally had the set. I remember checking online everyday for months trying to track down that playset. Something about those toys completely captures the fun of what movie toys can be for kids who arent concerened about articulation and realism.
The third quest is much more recent.
This summer I began recollecting Zizzle Pirates of the Caribbean figures and playsets. I never knew until last month that there was an ultra rare last wave and that Cutler Beckett and Singapore Warrior Elizabeth Swann were such hard to get figures. While I have been able to gain much of the line I didn't expect to find those two. Googling the subject turned up old posts of fellow collectors and their quests, some with luck but most without. But the toy fates must be shining on me because thanks to ebay UK I now have both figures, carded and finishing up my collection. I hate to admit it, but I'm actually going to open both since I've opened up everyone else in my set.
Three grail quests complete and frankly I don't want anymore. The quests are too expensive for something that I have no guarantee won't disintegrate beyond recognition 20 years from now. These are enough.
Best of luck to all of you in your quests!
The first and longest pursuit was for a Blank figure from the **** Tracy line. I remember wanting him so bad and not finding him the summer the film was released. Than fall came and an employee at our local Toy Liquidators was telling my family that he was out in Canada but not here - this was before the Internet so I'm guilty of not believing him.
I finally wrote a letter, with my moms help, and sent it off to Playmates Toys. They actually sent me a letter back months later. In the letter they addressed my enthusiasm but as a company had decided not to manufacture the Blank. I held onto that letter for years ... But you get older, get a girlfriend, and eventually that letter disappears. Funny that my dad knew enough to tell me at the time that the letter may be worth something someday. How I wish I had it to post online!
I believed the letter until I finally had proof of the figure thanks to toy magazines like Lee's and eventually a local dealer by the name of Dr. Tongue's who told me of how he had sold a few. By than the letter was gone so all I have is my word that Playmates said they werent going to manufacture him.
Years later, thanks to ebay, I'm the owner of at least two carded Blanks. I had a third but sold it. Still, an interesting adventure for a figure .....
My second quest which at times ran parallel to the first was for a complete collection of Kenner Robin Hood toys, including the rare Sherwood Forest. Again, years of no internet or shops dealing in secondary market toys had me only imaging these but around 2002 and thanks to ebay, I was able to get all of the figures carded, both mini weapon sets and the Forest - all mint in box. Later a boxed Battle Wagon came across the pond and I finally had the set. I remember checking online everyday for months trying to track down that playset. Something about those toys completely captures the fun of what movie toys can be for kids who arent concerened about articulation and realism.
The third quest is much more recent.
This summer I began recollecting Zizzle Pirates of the Caribbean figures and playsets. I never knew until last month that there was an ultra rare last wave and that Cutler Beckett and Singapore Warrior Elizabeth Swann were such hard to get figures. While I have been able to gain much of the line I didn't expect to find those two. Googling the subject turned up old posts of fellow collectors and their quests, some with luck but most without. But the toy fates must be shining on me because thanks to ebay UK I now have both figures, carded and finishing up my collection. I hate to admit it, but I'm actually going to open both since I've opened up everyone else in my set.
Three grail quests complete and frankly I don't want anymore. The quests are too expensive for something that I have no guarantee won't disintegrate beyond recognition 20 years from now. These are enough.
Best of luck to all of you in your quests!
......
