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Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:42 am
by Ken Davis
This toy grail is special.
I had one of these when I was a kid, and when I got back into collecting this line, this set was always on my radar.
This is a Mattel Big Jim, a sports/adventure themed line from the 1970's--and this is the soccer set.
These are just dandy action figures, claimed to be "perfectly balanced" in that their design allows the figure to stand securely on its own feet. And it does for the most part--the pose in the pic isn't supported--that's the figure standing on one foot, with the other poised on the ball. I did cheat a little bit and use poster putty on the ball and foot, just for a bit of added security when i took the photo.

This set wasn't "hard to find", but when I did find it it was always expensive for what it is. I mean stupid expensive.

This is one of those parables about not giving up, I suppose. I simply bided my time.......I figured, if I was lucky, I'd find a set at a price that I could afford.
There were a few Ebay auctions in the last few months, and I got sniped on all of them when I bid. I stick to BIN offerings now, less hassle and heartache.
A couple of weeks ago........to my surprise, a BIN auction for a set appeared, but it was one I'd seen before albeit with a difference. The outfit was the European version ( seller was in Germany) of the soccer set--there's a few variations. It was a yellow shirt and blue shorts, and I wanted the all-red set. Well, the offering had the red shirt and shorts as a sweetner. I guess the seller saw this thing being sluggish and no-one was interested.

I saw it, saw the items I wanted, the price was very good because it came with a figure, and BOOM--trigger pulled.
It arrived in the mail yesterday, and I'm just chuffed.

The moral of the story remains that toy-collecting is a patience game. If you want it badly enough, it'll come to you, and at a price you can afford. I'm always reminded of this, and it always seems to play out this way.

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Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 10:48 pm
by Webslinger
My Grails?... I had for the most part all of what I wanted, not everything in certain lines but the characters I really wanted but due to an unfortunate incident I no longer have them. But I was very proud of my Star Wars collection Vintage/New, Real Ghostbusters, MOTU Vintage, G.I. Joe 80's, Transformers 80's etc.. but what I enjoyed most was my DC Super Powers and Marvel Secret Wars figures, I had pretty much everything including Cyborg! Now my Grails are more in line with Marvel Legends, DCUC, MOTUC and a few oddities here and there.

I still need a right leg for Metamorpho and a left leg for Ultrahumanite!!! and so the search continues....

Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:53 am
by HectorHall
who came with Ultra-humanites left leg, or Metamorpho's right?
Nevermind, I looked it up. Don't think I have either one. :cry:

Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:57 am
by HectorHall
Oh yeah, Ken, that Big Jim is awesome. I do remember that toy line, it was up there with G.I. Joe and MEGO figures when I was a kid. Glad you scored the figure!

Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 2:45 am
by Tom Turbine
My Grails. Probably the G1 Reflector Mail-away would be one I wanted when I was a brat and ended up tracking down later on- much much later on.

Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:23 am
by Idiot Savant
Grails are wicked tough to label, it really is like saying which child is your favorite...but I'll give it a try

VINTAGE TOYS:
1) 12" MEGO Chris Reeve Superman (just got him yesterday and I has fond memories playing with that figure as a kid; first time I've held him since then.
2) 8" MEGO Superman and Batman
3) original Optimus Prime
4) Super Powers collection with a Superman on card

MODERN TOYS:
1) Toys R Us MP-10 Prime
2) Hot Toys Chris Reeve Superman
3) entire Palasades Muppets line
4) GBJR Toys, The Tick figure as well as The Tick line from the short-lived live action series
5) DCUC series
6) DCC B:TAS figures
6) upcoming DCC Icons line (yep, already calling it to be the best modern figures out there)

Re: Your Grails?

PostPosted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:31 pm
by secondwhiteline
Figures: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons LJN line - These are impossibly great figures. The single figures aren't too out-of-range, but the playset and Tiamat...Can't bring myself to shell out for these.
Inhumanoids Tendril - Expensive, but reasonably so for the age and size. I'll probably pick one of these up next time I've got extra holiday cash.
Mezco Cinema of Fear Series 2 Jason (Jason Lives) and Series 3 Jason (Jason Goes to Hell). These go for ridiculous prices.

Records/other albums: The Bedflowers - Songs: Summer 1990 demo cassette
The Children of Sunshine - Dandelions
The Dream World of Dion McGregor
The Shaggs - Philosophy of the World original pressing vinyl
Various artists - Singapore a-Go-Go CD

Video Games: Earthbound for SNES
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Collector's Edition for PSX
Sunset Riders for SNES