Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Updates - Where have I been?

I've been contributing to the web for many, many years, mostly with toy related information - my wildtoys.com website has been up continuously since the 90's. I've also added over a dozen blogs regarding various topics since blogger first came into being. My Johnny Apollo toy posts were always placed in this blog - that's why the dates go back so far - most recently I've been really focused on job and career. Also recently, Google has enabled some simple domain hosting so I decided to buy the "johnnyapollotoy.com" domain and point it to a slightly edited blog as a new website (I removed some of the non-Johnny Apollo information). This is the result.

My goal is to provide a series of pages that detail the Marx Johnny Apollo toy line along with variations and knock-offs. I've also copied the wikipedia entry for Johnny Apollo (which I originally made back in 2005) with the latest updates. I hope you enjoy the information and photos I'll be providing shortly.

-- John Eaton

Monday, August 17, 2009

eBay Roundup 2009.08.17

Super Rare Marx Jane Apollo Astronaut figure MIB No res


eBay Auction #250471263557
Ending Bid: $241.47
End Date: Aug 02, 2009 18:30:00 PDT

Description:
Hey Major Matt Mason and Billy Blastoff collectors, check this out. Offered here is a rarely seen vintage Marx #1723 Jane Apollo astronaut figure. The figure has absolutely zero scuffs, scrapes, dings, melts, or ANYTHING that I would list as wear. She comes complete with all her parts, including her un-used decals and her instruction sheet, which are just as bright and new as the figure itself. The box is also clean and bright with no tape and only one corner that is about 1/2 way split. The lid has a slight indentation near the top and bottom (see in the picture near her name along the top) which really only makes this box a 9 instead of a 10. The only other problem (you knew there had to be something) is that at some time while this figure was on display in my collection, one of her two air hoses neatly snapped in two. If I had left her parts sealed like they were when I bought her years ago, it would have never happened. Both halves are included so maybe a repair could be made. For my part, I mostly have tried to down play the condition of the toys I have sold on Ebay to help insure that my customers are not disappointed. But in this case, I feel I can rave alittle because this toy is so nice and so rare. It is just part of a large group of space toys I'll be selling from my own collection over the next few weeks and I will be offering all of them at no reserve. Due to current Ebay rules, I accept Paypal only and due to my own choice, I only ship to the USA, so no foreign bids will be accepted. Shipping is just $5.00 ( or $8.00 if you win both the Johnny and Jane figures) and is done via USPS Priority Mail. Insurance is extra and is recommended. I will send an invoice out shortly after the auction ends with your discounted shipping cost and insurance info. If your not interested in the insurance, or only win one auction, you can go ahead and Paypal as soon as you determine you are the winner. My auctions always end on Sunday nights and if you send your Paypal payment before noon the next day (Monday), at least for now, I can mail your package the same day. In all cases, I would like to receive your payment within three days from closing and for my part, I always try to have everything mailed by the end of the week. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions and don't forget to check out my other listings for other cool stuff, as I will always combine your winnings from my other listings to save you on shipping. Thanks in advance and happy bidding!!!

My Take:
This is just a rare figure, period. I'm not sure why it's such a difficult figure to find - sales must have be abysmal as I'm guessing that Jane didn't appeal to most girls and few boys had them. I've only seen a handful of boxed examples (I'm lucky to own one) and as you can see from this auction, premium examples go for good money - this is also the only boxed example I've seen on eBay since I last reported on them (see my post on January 14, 2008. Sales are very strong on Jane.

Rare Marx Johnny Apollo Astronaut figure MIB No res


eBay Auction #250471267734
Ending Bid: $110.06
End Date: Aug 02, 2009 18:35:00 PDT

Description:
Hey Major Matt Mason and Billy Blastoff collectors, check this out. Offered here is a vintage Marx #1724 Johnny Apollo astronaut figure. The figure has absolutely zero scuffs, scrapes, dings, melts, or ANYTHING that I would list as wear. He comes complete with all his parts, including his un-used decals which are just as bright and new as the figure itself. His instructions are however starting to show a little bit of tanning. The box is also clean and bright with no split corners or tape. The only problem (you knew there had to be something) is that at some time while this figure was on display in my collection, one of his two air hoses neatly snapped in two. If I had left his parts sealed like they were when I bought him years ago, it would have never happened. Both halves are included so maybe a repair could be made. For my part, I mostly have tried to down play the condition of the toys I have sold on Ebay to help insure that my customers are not disappointed. But in this case, I feel I can rave alittle because this toy is so nice. It is just part of a large group of space toys I'll be selling from my own collection over the next few weeks and I will be offering all of them all at no reserve. Due to current Ebay rules, I accept Paypal only and due to my own choice, I only ship to the USA, so no foreign bids will be accepted. Shipping is just $5.00 ( or $8.00 if you win both the Johnny and Jane figures) and is done via USPS Priority Mail. Insurance is extra and is recommended. I will send an invoice out shortly after the auction ends with your discounted shipping cost and insurance info. If your not interested in the insurance, or only win one auction, you can go ahead and Paypal as soon as you determine you are the winner. My auctions always end on Sunday nights and if you send your Paypal payment before noon the next day (Monday), at least for now, I can mail your package the same day. In all cases, I would like to receive your payment within three days from closing and for my part, I always try to have everything mailed by the end of the week. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions and don't forget to check out my other listings for other cool stuff, as I will always combine your winnings from my other listings to save you on shipping. Thanks in advance and happy bidding!!!

My Take:
As you can tell by the description, this was from the same seller as the Jane above. I'm not too surprised at the winning bid, however it is a bit above the average sale price for these. I'm guessing that the winner of the Jane wanted the pair and one of the under-bidders choose to go for this as a consolation to loosing out on Jane, which drove the price up a bit. The "Johnny Apollo" boxed figures seem to demand more than the "Kennedy Space Center Astronaut" boxed figure - from experience the Kennedy box is the most common of the variations with the Johnson Space center being the rarest (only seen 2 of these) and the Mark Apollo being scarce (UK/Europe distribution).

Both figures were very nicely displayed - kudos to the seller!

-- John

Monday, January 14, 2008

Some Interesting Johnny Apollo related eBay Auctions

There have been three auctions recently that reflect the interest of Marx's Johnny Apollo (and crew). I thought I would post:


1968 MARX Johnny West Toy Astronaut JANE APOLLO-Org.MIB

eBay Auction #120207294723
Ending Bid: $$338.33
End Date: Jan-03-08 19:43:00 PST

Description:
Vintage 1968 LOUIS MARX & Co. Jane Apollo action figure toy (similar to the Johnny West series but smaller) mint in the original box UNUSED! NOT A REPRODUCTION, This space toy features a working Jane Apollo in a blue space suit with perfect painted facial details! All joints work easily with no breaks or cracks. The white, plastic accessories are mint and sealed in the clear bag so you know they are complete and unused! Even the decal sheet and instructions look mint with NO YELLOWING. The figure measures 7-1/4" tall in a wonderful, photo-illustrated box that measures 5-1/8" x 8-3/8". There are no split corners or edges but one corner (top-left) has a small sliver of hanging paper that looks to be a victim of a careless employee's box-cutter when stocking the store shelves long ago. The boxtop has a piece of clear adhesive tape on the tip of the rocket and the "T" of "ASTRONAUT". There is also an upsidedown-bird shaped white surface tear (top-right) that is in the blue sky area. The top picture shows a crease that runs vertically through the image of the air tank she is holding. The right side panel has a 1-1/2" diagonal tear as well. These flaws I mentioned are hard to notice and really look minor when you consider how thin and cheap the box cardboard is. Multiple purchases always get a combined shipping rate. Postage will be $7.00 within the usa and $15.00 to most overseas locations. Insurance extra (if desired for domestic orders only). Please ask any questions within 2 days of the auction closing to allow us time to respond. This item is being sold as described and we will not be able to take returns based on condition unless defects were overlooked. PLEASE WAIT FOR US TO NOTIFY THE WINNING BIDDER. We accept Personal Checks (held for approval), Cashiers Checks, Bank Cheques in U.S. Funds and Money Orders ONLY (other means of payment will need pre-approval). Sorry, we DO NOT accept Pay-Pal. Thanks for checking our other auctions from time-to-time.

My Take:
This is indeed one of the most difficult boxed pieces to get - it always goes for a lot. I had to have been short-packed in an assortment (the usual ration males/females for these types of toys if 4:1) but I haven't seen any doc on it. OSS versions of any JA items are extremely rare - seems a lot of kids actually played with these toys. Even the instruction sheet is tough with this set.



JOHNNY WEST 1960'S MARX UK MARK APOLLO ASTRONAUT

eBay Auction #120207294723
Ending Bid: $$338.33
End Date: Jan-03-08 19:43:00 PST

Description:
Vintage 1960's Marx UK Mark Apollo astronaut doll. He has red hair (compared to the US Johnny Apollo which has brown). Mark has the same head mold as Johnny, with Marx Great Britain stamp on back vg. cond. Vintage UK Marx, not one of the recent Mexican reissues! Check my other auctions!

My Take:
This is a really unusual variation of Mark - he's usually found with an orange moulded body and a different head (with the same red hair). The best thing about this auction is that he looks complete with all the white accessories.


1960s MARX JOHNNY WEST 8" JANE APOLLO ASTRONAUT DOLL

eBay Auction #120207294723
Ending Bid: $62.01
End Date: Jan-13-08 17:08:44 PST

Description:
Original 1960's vintage Marx Jane Apollo astronaut doll. FACTORY DEFECT, SHE HAS TWO LEFT LOWER ARMS AND TWO LEFT HANDS, SOME IDIOT AT THE MARX FACTORY RIVETED A LEFT LOWER ARM IN PLACE OF THE RIGHT ONE, AND GAVE HER TWO LEFT HANDS? Otherwise good condition. Check out my other auctions!

My Take:
This is a fairly typical price for a loose Jane with as many accessories - usually loose good figures go for $15-25 - I think the number of accessories brought the price up to normal, even with the defective arm.

-- John

Monday, October 22, 2007

Another Johnson's Space Center Astronaut on eBay

So soon after my previous discover of a Johnson's Space Center Astronaut comes this second, incomplete one on eBay, selling for a bit more than I paid for mine. I guess the word is out on these.





-- John

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Rare Mark Apollo - my latest eBay Find!



Continuing from my previous post about the Johnson Space Center Johnny Apollo, here is my latest purchase of a UK variant Mark Apollo - I just happened to be cruising eBay UK today when I spotted this - it's the first I've seen complete with instructions and box. As this pretty much completes my Johnny Apollo collection, I believe I'm going to have to start putting that part of my Wildtoys site together - I plan on working on it this weekend by taking some good pictures. I'm really excited about this Mark Apollo, as I am about the prospect of adding a new section to Wildtoys - stay tuned.

-- John

Friday, June 01, 2007

Latest eBay Buys: Johnson Space Center Astronaut



I'm probably only one of a handful of people in the world that would actually get excited about this - as a collector of Marx Johnny Apollo figures, I've only heard of the existence of this variation:

Johnson Space Center Astronaut
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170114178046

I was lucky enough to be the high bidder - I really thought it would go for much more and was prepared to pay well into $300 for it. Why you may ask? First a little background - the Johnny Apollo toyline was produced by Marx between 1968 and about 1970 - the original boxed toy was simply called "Johnny Apollo Astronaut" (white plastic suited figure with "flesh" colored hands and face with gold accessories) and was marketed shortly after its release with a female astronaut "Jane Apollo" (blue plastic suited figure with "flesh" colored hands and face with white accessories) - they could be purchased separately, with one of two vehicles (Space Crawler or Moon Rover also sold separately or with the Johnny figure) or a deluxe "Lunar Exploration Set" that included both figures and both vehicles. There are variations of the figures - Johnny was marketed as "Mark Apollo" in the UK and was molded in orange plastic, rather than white with white accessories. There are also some various Mexican knock-offs in white with blue or silver accessories and a handful of prototype figures floating around with silver plastic suits (I own a Jane complete with Marx tag).

Besides the Johnny Apollo box, there is a fairly common "Cape Canaveral Astronaut" variation that had different box artwork and instructions, but was otherwise the same as the Johnny Apollo boxed figure. I have never seen Jane in any form other than the Jane Apollo box, nor have I seen a UK variation (Jane is found as a Mexican knock-off, however). Now to the meat of the story - I had only heard about this Johnson Space Center version from one other collector, Keith Meyer in Arkansas - he owns a copy of the instructions - from that we surmised that the actual figure exists but neither had ever seen the box. That's why I became so excited when this one presented itself on eBay - as far as I know, I don't believe any of my space collector friends has this variation. I can only assume that the Johnson Space Center only carried it for a short time, or perhaps the store there was only open for a limited time - I really don't know why it's so rare. I am very happy to include it in my collection, though. Once Paul and I complete the new Triang SpaceX/Golden Astronaut pages for the wildtoys site, I'll be tackling one devoted to Johnny Apollo.

-- John