Now, Why Haven't I Started Collecting These?

Let me take you back to the mid 70's. As a kid, I was obsessed with a few things. Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Star Wars, The Beatles were among the things that kept me busy. But then there was lunch boxes. Man, I loved them. All the different characters, colors shapes and sizes of these things kept me drooling over them. I would always look at my classmates lunch boxes and then look at my brown paper bag.

See, I never did own one. I had to obsess over everyone's lunch boxes and obsess I did. Whenever someone bought a new one I had to be the first to give it the once over. When my mom went shopping I would find a lunch box I liked and would beg her for it. But she never relented. She would always tell me I would lose it. To her, a brown bag was dispensable. To me, a cool looking lunch box was a status symbol. By the time my mom started to consider buying me one, I was already on my way to Junior High School and was perfectly OK with a brown paper bag.

So, now that I am an adult and have started some collections, yet I STILL have not picked up any vintage lunch boxes for my collections or started a lunch box collection. After watching a couple of lunch box collection videos on YouTube,  I started thinking about why I had not picked up any. I came to the conclusion that 2 factors, lack of room for displaying them and money has kept me from picking any up. Vintage lunch boxes have become a costly hobby, but if I do come across any that I can afford, I may start picking some up and finally start that lunch box collection I have been dreaming of since I was 5.

Which ones would I pick up? Well, let's start off with the obvious ones:

Superheroes:

I have been wanting that vintage Batman lunch box forever. It's a pretty expensive lunch box, so I probably wouldn't go after it as a starter for my collection and would probably put it with my Batman collection anyway. The Superman The Movie lunch box would probably be a better one to start off with, price wise. I love the Hulk lunch box, but I never understood why Spider-Man never got his own lunch box. I always see him with other Marvel heroes on a lunch box. As much of a Super Friends fan I am, the Super Friends lunch box is a no brainer for me. I have come lose a couple of time to acquiring one, but could never agree on a price.

The Beatles

These two Beatles lunch boxes will have to wait until I hit the lottery. These are pretty high end pieces.

TV Shows I liked as a kid:

I had fun watching all these shows as a kid and in some cases still do watch them. I would love to pick up these lunch boxes to remind myself why I loved lunch boxes as kid and why I want to start a collection of lunch boxes.

And of course the movies I love:

I have to have the Star Wars lunch boxes. I was and still am a huge fan of Star Wars, but if Luke Skywalker is on the lunch box, it would probably go with the rest of my Luke Skywalker collection. Too bad a Back To The Future Lunchbox was never made. With all the Back To The Future stuff being released, maybe they will make one.

And finally, 2 music acts that I would have to add to my future lunch box collection:

How did I get from Kiss to The Monkees? I love them both, that's how. Even though Kiss has really been annoying me as of late from lip syncing their performance at the Kings/Ducks game at Dodger Stadium to not performing at the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Still, the lunch box is something I've wanted for years and would jump at the chance to own one.

After looking through all the pictures and videos of all the lunch boxes that are out there any collection, no matter how big or small, would be a great one. My hope is that one day, maybe I will fulfill the dream of a 5 year old me and one day get that monkey off my back by picking up a few.  The fact is I have loved these things for far too long. For me not to own any vintage lunch boxes is a personal crime and hopefully, one I can make right for my inner kid.

What I Hunt For- A League Assignment

I love hunting and I don't even have to wear a hunters hat either (Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting Megos. Hahahahahahahahah). I always have my eyes, ears and nose to the ground in my travels. I never know when I may come across a thrift store, a goodwill store, a flea market or even a toy show. I try to always be prepared for that eventuality (George Harrison representin' yo!).

When I first started collecting and going out for new additions, I used to pick up anything that looked good and interested me. Now while I would love to do pick up and add anything that is remotely close to what I collect, I find that room is a factor in what I can keep and display. So I now try to just keep it to what I collect.

I try to pick up as much vintage as I can. After drooling over Brian's shelves I decided to do the mature, orignal and practical thing....Be a dirty, stinking copycat. To do so, I scour each box, table, rack and shelf in every place I go to until I find something worthy of bringing to the House Of Swag. I'm not above adding more contemporary pieces either, as long as it fits the collection and looks awesome.

So, what do I look for? Well, pull up a chair because I have a list to share.

Batman

Batman has always been a favorite of mine and he has some pretty sweet swag to pick up. Batman's vintage pieces are among the best toys out there which is why I always am on the look out for Batman stuff of the 1960's and 70's. Growing up I had some great Batman toys that I would love to reacquire like the Duncan Batmobile, Mego Bat-Computer and Remco CSF Copter. Some of the vintage pieces I've never owned, but really want are the Janex Batman Clock, Mego Bat Lab, Batman lunchbox from the 1960's and the Mego Wayne Foundation, which I will probably never own because that piece costs a pretty penny. Oh well, a guy can dream, right?

Spider-Man

Spidey and Batman are my most favorite heroes. They flip flop in my heart at times. I got a Spider-Man tattoo, but haven't added the Caped Crusader to my arm...yet. But, I am just as passionate about the wall crawler as I am about Bats. My Spider-Man collection might be larger than my Batman one right now and I am always looking for more Spider-Man pieces to add to my collection. Some of the vintage Spider-Man toys I am always looking for are the Mego Spider Car, Funstuff Spider-Man Web Shooters, Mego 12 inch Spider-Man figure, Ideal Spider-Man Hand Puppet and Spider-Man Colorforms. If I can find the 1960's Spider-Man board game I would be thrilled. I'm also always looking for vintage Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man comics.

Luke Skywalker

I love Star Wars. Unless this is your first time to this blog, then you already know that Luke is the one character from that awesome franchise I collect. I have picked up some great Skywalker pieces, but there are a few I am missing and have always kept my eye out for including a vintage X-Wing fighter, a vintage Landspeeder, a Kenner Return Of The Jedi Jedi outfit figure, an original 12 inch Skywalker figure, a vintage Kenner puzzle and the Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi Burger King glasses I am missing from completing my Skywalker set.

Star Wars

Of course, I also collect Star Wars as well. I have put that aside though in my pursuit of anything Skywalker. But if I found a Death Star Playset, an Escape From Death Star board game, a Darth Vader action figure carrying case or any of the posters from the movies I wouldn't turn them away.

The Beatles

My all time favorite band has a place in my collection as well. I cannot get enough of the Beatles (if you haven't listened to Beatles-A-Rama, then shame on you) and will always pick up anything Beatles related. Some of the Beatles stuff I really want are pricey, but I always look anyway because you never know what you may find. Among the Beatles stuff I want are the Beatles "Flip Your Wig" board game, the Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Soaky bottles, McFarlane Cartoon Beatles figures box set that I missed out on, Remco Beatles figures, Beatles lunchbox, Beatles Hamilton figures from 1991 (I had John Lennon, but the figure was lost in one of my moves.), trading cards and the mini Beatles cake top nodders. If I can find the vintage albums and 45's, I want those too.

The Monkees

I have a few pieces of memorabilia from my favorite T.V. band, but I am always looking for more stuff to add like the Mattel Monkees Talking Hand Puppet, Johnny Lighting 1/64 scale Monkee Mobile and Van, vintage Kellogg's Monkees cardboard album, Lunchbox, trading cards, Fairchild Monkees puzzle from 1967, Monkees Bennie Babies Mickey, Davy and Peter bears (I have Mike Nesmith), Ertl 1/18 scale Monkee Mobile and the finger puppets, which I had and lost in the same move. A box or two were "lost" by movers. As with The Beatles (love that album), I also want to get the albums and 45's.

Superheroes

Of course, the comic book lover in me always loves to pick up anything related to my favorite Marvel and DC heroes. I have a small Iron Man collection that I am always adding to, but I also love Superman, The Hulk and Captain America. As a kid, I would have killed for a Hulk Rage In The Cage, but never got it. I would love one now as well as the Mego Captain America car, Super Powers Hall Of Justice Playset, Mego Iron Man and Thor figures, Marx Marvel plastic figures, Mego 12 inch Hulk and Captain America figures, Marvel Superheroes and DC Super Friends lunchboxes, Pocket Mego figures, Funko POP Vinyls, Viewmaster Reels, Knickerbocker Fiddle Sticks Playset, Milton Bradley Marvel Superheroes Card Game and Whitman DC Superheros Dominoes. I also would love to try and put together the Super Powers and Secret Wars action figure sets.

There is a lot more that I want, but I will keep it not so short. My shopping list is pretty extensive and I can go on and on and on about what I would love to own one day.

If you find anything on my shopping list, give me a shout and I will come running. Hopefully, we can work out something or I will go away crying and who wants to see a grown man cry?

Check out some of the want lists of my fellow bloggers:

http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/10/league-post-whaddya-want.html

http://www.nerdoutwithmeblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/so-watcha-watcha-watcha-want.html

http://fortuneandglorydays.blogspot.com/2013/10/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html

http://www.nerdcantina.com/1/post/2013/09/league-challenge-waddaya-want.html

O.K. I Want This And That And That....

It's auction time for us members of the League Of Extra Ordinary Bloggers. A time where we wish each other good luck in adding new and glorious pieces to our collections and then figure out a way to blindside each other for the same piece. It's a war and we have our war paint and fatigues on as we zero in on the pieces we wish to add to our collections and make sure we don't give up our first born to get that piece. This is eBay on steroids and I'm about to drop a few elbows to get what I want. O.K, maybe it isn't that vicious, but you get the idea.

Hake's Americana and Collectibles is holding another one of their fantastic auctions and is sponsoring this week's topic. Here is the link to Auction #209 in case you would like to drool all over your keyboard like I have so many times:

http://www.hakes.com/browse.asp?Auction=209&ListID=0

Now, I have never participated in a Hake's auction. A lot of the stuff they have up for bid is a bit out of my price range, but I do love to browse through their inventory and just play make believe in my mind and pretend I was Ted DiBiase and make a mental note of what I would buy if I was loaded. Unfortunately, once Mr. Rogers enters the dream, I pretty much end it 'cause that's just plain creepy.

For this week's topic, we are to go on an imaginary shopping spree at Hake's current auction and list what we would buy if we had the funds. I decided to pick pieces for collections I collect or picked pieces to start a collection I have always wanted. In some cases, they were pieces I had or come across as a kid or pieces that I have always longed to own. What did I pick? Well, you my dear reader are pretty nosy, but I will show you anyway.

Let's start with 2 pieces I would love to own for my Batman collection:

This is an animated cell from one of my favorite episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. Entitled "Legends Of The Dark Knight", the episode follows 3 kids as they envision what The Batman is really like. One kid imagines the Caped Crusader as something right out of a Dick Sprang drawn comic book with a heroic voice and all. Another visualizes Batman to be like Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, complete with mud fight with the Mutant Leader. I loved how the episode showed what Batman has looked like over the years and to add this piece to my Batman collection would be fantastic.

The Mego-head that I am would never be able to pass up the chance to be able to bid on and possibly own a boxed Batman Mego. The graphics on the box just pop out at you and the figure is mint and complete inside. This would be a great addition to the Batman shelf right next to the loose, not so mint Batman I do own.

I have never seen these before. Batman and Robin Jigglers from Fun Things. They're rubber figures with removable capes that you can hang on door knobs or other spots around the house. I'll just keep them carded and on my shelf, thank you. These pre-dated the Ben Cooper jigglers by about 7 years.

I didn't find much to add to my Luke Skywalker collection, but I did see this bad boy. As a kid, I had this and loved it. I would have lightsaber battles with the Darth Vader figure I owned, had him hang from his grappling hook or just sit on my desk looking cool as he was when he blew up the Death Star...ok, maybe he wasn't Han Solo cool, but he did shot at Stormtroopers, got into a cantina fight and blew up a couple of Tie Fighters. Makes him cool in my book.

For my Beatles Collection, I found this gem:

My vintage Beatles memorabilia is pretty limited and to be able to add this awesome lunchbox to my collection would instantly make it the crown jewel of my Beatles collection. This is a pretty expensive piece to own and right now its at a reasonable bid, although I don't expect it to be for much longer.

It even comes with the thermos. I want to say the picture has them in 1965. I think they wore suits similar to this at the famous Shea Stadium show on August 15th, 1965.

The last item I would bid on is a lot of DC Comics Hallmark statues, a couple of which would fit nicely in my Batman and budding Superman collection:

I simply love that statue of Batman and Robin running with the Batsignal displayed behind them. I have always wanted to add that statue to my collection, but either it's too pricey or I'm outbid on one. The Robin beside it is also a nice piece.

Can't go wrong with Wonder Woman, classic or modern. Love the vintage Wonder Woman piece.

I love this Superman statue which has him in that iconic pose from Superman issue #11 from 1941. A must have.

A very cool piece of Superman flying over the Daily Planet which would be a nice addition to the Superman Shelf. Plus, he is sporting a sweet mullet.

Speaking of Superman, I found a really cool piece for the Superman collection:

This tin piece was a toy that you would wind up and Superman would lift it up from the bottom and flip the tank over, then start over again.

I never got why Superman is wearing a yellow suit rather than the iconic blue uniform. I know I have seen an earlier version of him in the blue suit. Still, a vintage piece like this one would be a head turner in any Superman collection.

I would like to thank Hake's for allowing us use of the pictures from the auction. I have seen a ton of other pieces that I would love to have from Monkees to Green Hornet to even goodies for my baseball collection. I could go on and on and show off all the stuff I would love to own, but we all don't have hours to read the ramblings of a poor geek.

Now, go and bid, bid, bid!

Since you're still up, check out what my fellow League Members would bid on:

http://shezcrafti.com/a-bunch-of-awesome-crap-id-buy-from-hakes-if-i-wasnt-broke/

http://brandedinthe80s.com/11435/down-with-opp

http://gijigsaw.blogspot.com/2013/07/hakes-shopping-spree.html

http://mosespa.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/loeb-hakes-shopping-spree-redux.html

http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2013/07/league-post-return-to-hakes.html

Tell them The Sexy Geek sent you. I'm sure they won't know what the hell you are talking about.

If I Was To Start A Superman Collection, What Would I Buy?

Despite the fact that I have almost next to nothing when it comes to Krypton's favorite sun, I do consider myself a Superman fan. O.K., maybe I am not a fanatical fan like my buddy George is, but I grew up watching the cartoons, reading the books and watching the movies. I went to see the movie during it's first run, I watched the Super Friends and read The Death Of Superman. I have an appreciation for the Man Of Steel.

So, why do I own only maybe 3 Superman pieces? Well, to be honest, I have been concentrating on my other favorites, trying to build up those collections. I would always buy Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man and Luke Skywalker before I bought anything Superman, thus I passed up some sweet pieces I could have added to the House Of Swag. For shame Mikey, for shame.

With the new movie coming out this week, I have been building up anticipation within myself by watching All Star Superman, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse and the Superman movie Serials; Superman and Atom Man VS Superman. Before the week is out, I plan to watch Superman The Movie and some of the Fleischer Superman Cartoons. I will be Superman crazy by the time I see Man Of Steel on Saturday.

So with all this Superman entertainment, it got me thinking about my measly Supes collection. I always wanted to build a Superman collection. Not a big one like my Batman and Spider-Man collections, but a respectable one where I could have a shelf devoted solely to Superman. So, if I was to start a collection, what 5 pieces would I want to start with?  Yes, I have put some time thinking about this. Of course, I will always start vintage.

1-Superman The Movie Lunchbox

I have documented in past blogs my love for Superman The Movie. Maybe it's because when I saw it as a 7 year old it captured my imagination like Star Wars did prior. After seeing the movie, I remember throwing on a red towel and "flying" around my room. I was a hyper kid, so my mom had to keep an eye on me so that I didn't entertain the thought of flying right out of my 6th floor window. Another reason why I love this movie is because simply put, for 33 years it was the best superhero movie ever made. In that time, the only movie that I felt gave it a run for it's money was The Dark Knight. To me, it's Avengers, Superman and Dark Knight as the greatest superhero movies ever made. But that's another blog for another time.

I would love to add this lunch box to my budding Superman collection. The artist did an outstanding job nailing the actor's likenesses.

If that isn't a dead ringer for Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Jackie Cooper and Marc McClure, then I'm freaking blind. Also love how the colors jump out at you.

Of course, I would love it if the thermos came with it, but it's not a deal breaker.

I have always has a fascination with lunch boxes as a kid. I never owned one, brown bagging it to school despite my feeble attempts to get my mom to buy me a lunch box. As an adult, I own a few modern ones, but no vintage lunch boxes. To pop my vintage lunch box cherry with this piece would be pretty sweet.

2-Mego 12 Inch Superman

As an absolute Mego head, not having this figure in my future Superman collection would be a crime against nature. Plus, he looks like Chris Reeve. I love this figure and it would look great next to my regular 8 inch Superman Mego figure. This is another figure I begged my mom for, but never got. Getting this would fill the hole in my soul my mom left years ago. Now, if I could only find one without the dreaded "ghost face" that I have seen a lot of Mego 12 inch figures develop. Those scare me more than a Justin Bieber concert.

3-Superman Colorforms

As a kid, I used to love playing with Colorforms. I had several different sets and used to play with them for hours. I had Batman, Tricky Mickey Mouse Super Colorforms, Battlestar Galactica and Spider-Man. God, I wish I still had them. But to add this piece from 1964 would be a great addition to my growing Superman Collection, which resides somewhere in the depths of my brain. Plus, it would look great on a shelf. Look at that artwork. Awesome.

4- Mattel's Christopher Reeve 12 inch Superman Figure

I cannot tell you how many times I almost bought this figure since it came out in 2010. I have seen it go for as high as $100.00 and as low as $50.00 and somewhere in between. The few times I almost bought it, it was in the $50.00 range. At that price, it's cheaper than a DC Direct Superman and a heck of a lot cheaper than the Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman figure. Since I can't afford the Hot Toys figure, I would buy the Mattel one everyday, twice on Sunday. I think it's just as cool as the Hot Toys one and it came in a line with General Zod and Lex Luthor. I think of all the Superman stuff I have shown so far, this would be my first purchase.

5-DC Direct Fleischer Studios Superman Statue

One of my absolute favorite Superman cartoons (favorite cartoons, period!) is the 1940's Fleischer Studios Superman Cartoons. The 10 minute shorts were produced first by Fleischer Studios, then by Famous Studios from 1941-1943. Max and Dave Fleischer had done Gulliver's Travels when they were approached by Paramount Pictures to do the Superman cartoons. The Fleischer Brothers were hesitant to commit to the shorts, so they threw a then outlandish figure of $100,000.00 per short. Paramount negotiated the figure down to $50,00.00 and off they went, producing some of the most ground breaking cartoons of it's time. There was 17 shorts produced and the first short was even nominated for an Academy Award, losing out to Disney's Lend A Paw cartoon.

The statue is awesome. It looks like it jumped right out of a Fleischer cartoon. I'm not a huge statue collector due to the price of them, but if I could ever add this statue to my Superman collection, I would jump at the chance. I heard a rumor that they were negotiating to do a series of Batman cartoons. Imagine how cool that show would have been. I guess Batman The Animated Series is as close as we will get to it.

One of these days, I hope I am able to add these awesome Superman collectibles to what I hope to be a pretty sweet collection. While putting this list together, I realized there were other Superman items I would love to add like the 1960's Superman Soakie bottle, the Mego Fortress Of Solitude play set and The Super Powers Superman figure. Those, plus what I already listed would look great on a Superman shelf. If the Man Of Steel is as good as I think it might be, I might be ready to go Superman shopping. Kryptonite optional.