strange or rare yahoo auctions post here (after theyre over)

Yeah, I was watching that too, and funny you mentioned the Red King. Given the toys includes, as you said, I don't think it is actually a totally crazy price, but not exactly a lot bargain either. But anyways, would love to hear more about the RK too, because, as you said, it is something that immediately stands out as odd to me. I am very wary of unusual/undocumented variants, and somehow the garishness of the paint would certainly make me want to check it out in person (and know some background) before qualifying it. Could be an unusual piece some reissued later, a la the Enterprise versions, could be a custom, could be a special gift or sample piece, but without any clarification, I would always act under the assumption you are potentially buying a repaint. With the few popping up now though, you never know. It could be a sign they are a legitimate issue, or possibly one person noted one, and it 'bred' others. Hopefully Brian or someone might know a bit more.

 

Second that recommendation on the films. Such brilliance, I treasured my DVD copies (very hard to track down back in the day). 'Course nowadays everything is online.

 

I hadn't seen the extra limbs before, that is indeed a find.

You know, I have seen a lot of packaged Bullmarks before, and a fair number of classic Toho toys like the Goji posted a page back still entombed in plastic, but if you want to talk about OG fellas, this, to me, is something special. Sure came with a hefty price tag, and with these types of 'auctions' you never really know what goes on. But in any case, this is a quality, museum piece. Okay, not the original Marusan type head, but a fantastic and classic toy. Would love to get a good look at that insert too.

 

That is funny you mentioned that Goji, Anthony, as there was another one I was seriously looking at. This one was another Bullmark, only had the usual pink/red eyes. The thing is, while it has very nice silver sprays (and was still a decent price) the thing that attracted me was the - potential - green sprays like you mentioned. Anyways, I am not convinced that this is not just an artifact in the pics due to the lighting. I think it is highly probable in fact, especially looking at the two of them together. So I didn't jump on this guy when he popped up for sale, but contacted the shop about it. They got back to me only after it was sold, so I never got a definite answer, but that's my impression. Anyhow, I am only mentioning it again to clarify whether the version above was just an unusual yellow eye (still very lovely) or also had the extra colour. For reference, here is a pic of the other fella:



More pics at the Mandarake link, but notice the similarity in lighting, angles, and shades of the 'green' tint. Also, very interestingly, this one has the same bubbles up the spine. Maybe, if these do have some green, they were some kind of odd production test pieces, hence the poor pour and unusual colour schemes. Anyway, both lovely toys, and I almost gambled on the one in spite of it (if only I had more monies on hand), and very cool to see them pop up.

 

Since Anthony asked, and I guess it might not be immediately evident to people looking at it that aren't as familiar with the line (though, honestly, I assume anyone reading this discussion is), that is an original Marusan 450 Ultraman in a Bullmark package. I assume this is either (1) from leftover stock that was on-hand when Bullmark took over the production, which they then just sealed up in their new style packages along with any of their 'own' figures for the market; or, and probably more likely, (2) this was from an initial production batch that Bullmark produced from the 'SAN' moulds when they took over operation and the Marusan licenses in 1969, but before they had a chance to modify the moulds with their own trademark stamps.

How common this was, I have no idea, as it is hard enough to find loose ones in really nice shape (come on, if you were a kid, wouldn't you play the heck out that amazing guy?!). Packaged ones are definitely harder to track down, and among those, how many of them are still the Marusan version, who knows. So, while some people might just see it as a quirky variant, or some others even looking down on it as 'wrong' packaging, I can see it factoring into a premium on the sale price as well.

Anyhow, I promise I'll try and let it rest now. Just... just... look at that fella! A wonderful packaged example of a toy that just does it all for me. Fresh, original, classic. Ultralove.

 

Another one I meant to share here. I had seen a couple of these old plastic Marusan figures separately before, but the set of them is a real nice piece of history. Some of you will no doubt recognise in them the inspiration for the soft vinyl minis Nostalgic Heroes did. Wonderful toys. I love the sculpts, and the variety of colour is excellent too. I wonder a little if the Gomesu isn't quite rare, as NH never did a version of him (so maybe they didn't have a version on hand?), not sure. The Topo Gigio nodder is a pure bonus. Fantastic crude sculpts, right up my alley.



A heck of a lot of pics grouped together here, but that is the way they came. Anyways, very nice to see all the detail on these guys.

(click for large size images)