I've been really considering changing up what exactly I collect and one of those collecting choices has me pursuing prototype toys and Hake's latest auction definitely has items of interest to help me accomplish just that. Here's some items from the catalog that caught my eye:
SUPER POWERS PROTOTYPE BATMAN ACTION FIGURE
Item Description
For "Super Powers" toyline information, see previous item #2623. Offered here is the prototype for the "Super Powers" Batman action figure. 3.75" tall mock-up prototype figure was created using a Mego "World's Greatest Superheroes" Robin figure. The figure has been entirely hand-painted (w/exception of exposed face and belt), Batman's uniform is missing batsymbol on chest and does not come w/cape. Figure has joints at neck, shoulders, waist and hips. Wheel mechanism on back to activate punching feature, a design DC Comics ultimately nixed. Figure has some scattered paint wear, mainly to legs where they meet shorts and by wheel on back, some of Robin's red shirt showing through. Batman also has some lt. wear to bottom, w/trace of Robin's green shorts showing. Fine/VF. Comes w/handwritten note about prototype's wheel feature and not to manually position arms. Unique and historic. From the Tomart Archives and comes with COA signed by Tom Tumbusch and Ted Hake. (K - $1000 to $2000)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
SUPER POWERS PROTOTYPE CAPTAIN MARVEL - SHAZAM ACTION FIGURE
Item Description
For "Super Powers" toyline information, see previous item #2623. Offered here is the prototype for the "Super Powers" Captain Marvel/Shazam action figure. 3-7/8" tall mock-up prototype figure was created using a Kenner "Star Wars" figure (possibly an AT-AT Driver figure). The figure has been altered and entirely hand-painted, complete w/lightning bolt design on uniform front. Figure has also had a separate thin vinyl cape (w/painted trim accents) added. Figure has joints at neck, shoulders and hips. This prototype does not feature the finished product "Super Power Feature." Figure has some scattered paint wear, mainly to gloves and lower arms. Fine/VF. Unique and historic. From the Tomart Archives and comes with COA signed by Tom Tumbusch and Ted Hake. (K - $1000 to $2000)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
BATMOBILE MARX PROTOTYPE CHILD'S RIDING TOY
Item Description
25" long, 9.5" wide by 9" tall prototype Batmobile riding toy that was produced in this scale in 1966. Body is solid and all hand-carved wood has been painted. Attached free-wheeling wheels (w/batsymbol hubcaps) and soft plastic bat-shaped steering wheel are production pieces. Turbine exhaust has gold foil decal sticker as do headlights. Top surface behind cockpit has "Batman" comic book title logo gold foil sticker and driver's door has large batsymbol sticker w/"Batmobile" name sticker. Passenger side door has matching sticker, but all surface paper is now missing, leaving just remnant. Scattered wear w/some oxidation to metal axles, but as on underside, this is not that noticeable. Sticker decals show moderate wear and steering wheel has scattered aging. Technically VG, this prototype still displays well. Unique. From the John Bowers Collection. (L - $2000 to $5000)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
"BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES - ACTION MASTERS" BATMAN, ROBIN & CATWOMAN PROTOTYPES
Item Description
5" tall resin cast 4-ups for 1994 Kenner die-cast metal figurine line that had linking bases to form a scene. Trio has been cast in lt. blue plastic. Catwoman is depicted as she appeared in the classic 1992-1995 Fox animated series with hand made to hold whip in final production. Batman is also done in animated style. Robin is Tim Drake style created in the 1990s with head that turns on pin. Robin appears to be an unproduced version from the line and has the most detailing. NM as produced. (H - $200 to $400)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
Item Description
5" tall resin cast 4-ups for 1994 Kenner die-cast metal figurine line that had linking bases to form a scene. Trio has been cast in lt. blue plastic. Catwoman is depicted as she appeared in the classic 1992-1995 Fox animated series with hand made to hold whip in final production. Batman is also done in animated style. Robin is Tim Drake style created in the 1990s with head that turns on pin. Robin appears to be an unproduced version from the line and has the most detailing. NM as produced. (H - $200 to $400)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
Item Description
5" tall resin cast 4-ups for 1994 Kenner die-cast metal figurine line that had linking bases to form a scene. Trio has been cast in lt. blue plastic. Catwoman is depicted as she appeared in the classic 1992-1995 Fox animated series with hand made to hold whip in final production. Batman is also done in animated style. Robin is Tim Drake style created in the 1990s with head that turns on pin. Robin appears to be an unproduced version from the line and has the most detailing. NM as produced. (H - $200 to $400)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
BATMAN RETURNS - CATWOMAN ERTL FIGURE PROTOTYPE
Item Description
7" tall light blue 4 up resin prototype for the Ertl Batman Returns line of die-cast figures line. c. 1992. Figures were blister carded and produced along with die-cast vehicles. Prototype depicts Catwoman as portrayed in the 1992 film "Batman Returns" by Michelle Pfeiffer. Stands on molded base platfrom. Breaks at ankles have been repaired and are only noticeable upon close inspection. Displays Exc. (G/H - $100 to $400)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
"STAR WARS CARRYING CASE" RARE VARIANT INSERT FEATURING BOBA FETT KIT BASH PROTOTYPE FIGURE
Item Description
8-1/8x11-5/8" double-sided cardstock insert for Star Wars Action Figure carrying case that held 24 Kenner 3.75" tall action figures. Insert features photos of all 24 figures (and includes their names) as well the "Kit Bashed" Boba Fett prototype action figure. What has come to light recently and subsequently brought a new avenue of interest to this prototype, is that it is actually a composite of several other body parts culled from the 20 figures existing at that time; namely, the Stormtrooper (arms), Death Squad Commander (legs) and C3PO (torso). A similar practice of modifying materials at hand and combining them to meet a specific end (often referred to as "kit-bashing") was apparently a common practice at Kenner, during this period in particular, as we see it employed in several other prototypes of the time. Aside from aiding the designers in hashing out the particulars of a figure's appearance, this technique might also have served as a way of filling vacancies in photographic material (such as advertisements) during the time in which the actual production figure as we would come to know it was still in the early design stages. Having gotten a late start, Kenner was quickly working to keep up w/the booming Star Wars craze. Getting the Boba Fett promotion on line as a boost for the tail-end of the "Star Wars" run would have been vital and graphic representations of a figure were needed. This situation was likely compounded by late finalization by Lucasfilm of the particulars of Boba Fett's film costume. The design featured here never came to fruition and required that these inserts, along w/other advertisement using these photos, be pulled. Right margin shows moderate wear w/some small 1/8" to .25" tears and scattered creasing. Insert itself has slight warping/handling wear and is Fine overall. Despite condition issues on one side, it would make a fabulous addition to any Star Wars collection due to the overall rarity of the piece. (H - $200 to $400)Pictures (click images to zoom in)
There are other Batman and Star Wars collectibles beyond these prototypes that I could go on and on about, but these prototypes definitely would make interesting and stand out conversation pieces as part of my toy collection. As always, my thanks goes out Hake's for offering this opportunity to League members and I wish good luck to these and other members below:
Hmm never thought about the collecting of prototypes that would be a interesting thing to do John.
ReplyDelete