eBay Roundup 2010.02.02

I had some time to put together last month's auctions earlier than usual, so here are the interesting auctions from January - lot's this month!

Major Matt Mason Figure Still on Card


eBay Auction #280443832745
Ending Bid: $282.00
End Date: Jan 03, 2010 18:59:28 PST

Description:
THE ORIGINAL MAJOR MATT MASON FIGURE WITH CAT TRAC STILL IN PACKAGE AND STRAPED TO THE VEHICLE. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR CLOSE TO MINT ITEM HERE YOU GO. PACKAGE SHOWS THE YEARS THOUGH. BUT I'TS WHATS INSIDE THAT COUNTS.


My Take:
Not too many carded MMM figures show up on eBay - this one is a little ratty but I think it still sold for a fairly strong price - in 2009 it probably would have sold closer to $200-250. I'm wondering if we're starting to see an upswing in value. The gold painted (instead of yellow) lettering seems to be a little more difficult to find so that may have affected the auction (hard to tell - many bidders may not have noticed).

MAJOR MATT MASON ACCESSORY PAK CASE FROM 1967!!!
Contains Moon Suit, Rocket Launch, Space Probe, & Tray


eBay Auction #180452774092
Ending Bid: No Bids (Opening Bid: $1200 or BIN $2500)
End Date: Jan 09, 2010 21:40:15 PST

Description:
This is an extremely rare, opened case from Mattel of Major Matt Mason Accessory Paks from 1967. This case originally contained 12 items, 4 of each of the following: Moon Suit Pak, Space Probe, and Rocket Launcher Pak. Included in this auction are 1 Moon Suit Pak (Arms have cracked from age inside blister), and 2 of each of the Space Probe and Rocket Launch, for a total of 5 accessory paks. All the blister packs are perfect and obviously never had the hang hole punched out or a price tag affixed. Also included is the cardboard display tray, as orginally used in retail stores (usually discarded by the store and never sold to the public), the Mattel packing list, and the outer case box. The box is marked "Assortment 6315" and is dated October, 1967. There is some slight crushing to one corner of the display tray, and a small hole on the side of the box. Only one other case (sealed) has ever been offered on eBay, and it went unsold with an opening bid of $10,000! This is an opportunity to own one that can be displayed properly since it has already been opened! This will be carefully packed and shipped in a larger box. Shipping costs will refect this.












My Take:
This is a relist of the same auction offered on December 27th. It's incomplete as the case only has a few accessory cards, but what you're bidding on here is a rare store display and original shipping carton. This is closer to the actual value of what's offered, in my opinion - however this seller (and the other with the complete case) are competing with all the other cases that were sold in the same find (about a dozen or so if memory serves). The problem here is that most of the hardcore collectors got in on the initial deal, so its either going to take someone who didn't but should have, or a new collector or speculator to finally strike on these. It's a matter of time - the question is how long and how low should these be allowed to go before going after one (a balance of want vs bargain)...

VINTAGE MATTEL MATT MASON LUNAR BASE COMMAND VEHICLES


eBay Auction #260534697736
Ending Bid: $203.50
End Date: Jan 14, 2010 18:00:30 PST

Description:
THIS AUCTION IS FOR A VINTAGE 1966 MATTEL'S MAN IN SPACE MAJOR MATT MASON LUNAR BASE COMMAND SET IN THE ORIGINAL BOX. THE SET INCLUDES MAGOR MATT MASON (RED DOT BLUE STRAPS) AND 2 HELMETS (1 WITH YELLOW SHIELD). A SPACE CRAWLER & INSTRUCTIONS. A UNI-TRED ( I PUT BATTERIES IN IT AND IT WORKED) AND SPACE BUBBLE WITH INSTRUCTIONS. CALLISTO INSTRUCTIONS, POWER PACK, SPACE SENSOR & PUMP BUT I DON'T HAVE THE FIGURE. 6 PLASTIC WINDOW PIECES, SPACE SLED, DELTA 55 4 WHEEL VEHICLE, JET PACK, MATTELS ACCESSORIES PAMPHLET AND MORE. THIS SET COULD USE A GOOD CLEANING, IT HAS BEEN PLAYED WITH AND HAS SOMETHING ON IT (SEE PICTURES, COULD BE SODA?). PLEASE SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE VINTAGE TOYS.

THANKS FOR LOOKING!






My Take:
It aways surprises me when these sets sell so cheap - it wasn't too long ago when people were bidding up the empty box to $200 or more. The box is gigantic and makes a great display - or a toybox for storing the collection if you're in mind. This one is nearly complete taking only a Callisto figure to make a great set. It also has the often missing paperwork - talk about an instant collection. Someone got a great deal - basically paying about retail for the bits and getting the box for free!

Captain Lazer Maj. Matt Mason's Friend from Outer Space



eBay Auction #260538851013
Ending Bid: $742.00
End Date: Jan 23, 2010 12:04:00 PST

Description:
Up for bid is Major Matt Mason's Friend from Outer Space. Capt. Lazer. He is in his original box. The box is in good condition and still has the original shrink wrap on it. The shrink wrap has a 2" split on the side that I have tried to show in the photos. Otherwise the box is intact and the graphics are colorful. Capt. Lazer has never been removed from the box and is in mint condition. The box is dated 1967 Mattel, inc. Hawthorne Calif. 90250. Made in Mexico. U.S. Pat. Pend. Printed in U.S. A. This is a super rare find and would make an excellent addition to your collection. Thanks for looking and be sure to Check out my other items! We offer combined shipping on all items. Please review photos and ask any questions you may have before bidding.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Jan-19-10 at 20:53:28 PST, seller added the following information:

I have added a better picture of the split in the shrink wrap. It is located on the lower right side of the box. It is actually a split in the seam of the shrink wrap.









My Take:
Nice box on this one - I almost bid myself as it's a bit better than mine. In the past this would have easily pulled $1000 but once again reflecting the economy and the general down-trend in the value of collectables, still the final bid was a strong one. You just don't see many of these for sale.

Major Matt Mason Uni-Tred Space Hauler in Box 1968


eBay Auction #230425153467
Ending Bid: $113.61
End Date: Jan 23, 2010 12:27:30 PST

Description:
Up for bid is Major Matt Mason, Mattel's Man in Space, Uni-Tred Space Hauler in its original box. The box is in fair condition. It has wear from years of storage. It contains the Hauler which has never been removed from its packing. The original stickers and paperwork are in the box. I removed them only to take a picture of them. This item has never been played with. The top of the box looks to have been crushed by having some weight on it during storage. This did not harm the toy inside. You can see in the photos where the box is damaged. Overall it is still a nice piece. The Hauler is battery powered and uses 2 "D" batteries that are not included. The bottom of the box is marked 1968 Mattel, Inc. All rights reserved under iInternational & Pan-American Conventions. Hawthorne, Calif. 90250 Motor made in Japan. U.S. Patent Pending. Made and Printed in U.S.A. This is a super rare find and would make an excellent addition to your collection. Thanks for looking and be sure to Check out my other items! We offer combined shipping on all items. Please review photos and ask any questions you may have before bidding.






My Take:
A decent old-store-stock example of the unitred - someone got a good deal I think. For a while these dipped down into the $75 range - it doesn't appear to be uncommon. At its high price it climbed to $300 or so but it's been many years since it was at that level. If the box was a bit nicer I think it would have gotten over $150 which seems to be a good average price.

Major Matt Mason Space Discovery Set In box unused 1968


eBay Auction #230425165609
Ending Bid: $961.50
End Date: Jan 23, 2010 12:56:24 PST

Description:
Up for bid is Major Matt Mason, Mattel's Man in Space, Space Discovery Set in its original box..never played with and still in original packing inside the box. This set includes Callisto, the mysterious Alien with advanced mental powers; Doug Davis , Space Scientist; Rocketry, Space power suit; Space Crawler, and the Space Bubble. The box was opened to take pictures of the inside. The cardboard "latch" that would have kept the box lid shut is missing. All the pieces appear to be in the box. Some have come loose from where they were attached to the packing. The original paperwork is in the box. Except for where the latch is broken off the box is in very good condition. It shows some yellowing from age and wear from many years of storage. The toys inside are very nice and brightly colored with no fading. The bottom of the box says 1968 Mattel,Inc. All rights reserved under International & Pan American Conventions. Hawthorne, Calif. 90250 Contains articles made in Japan, Hong Kong, or Taiwan as designated thereon, Motor made in Japan. U.S. patented, U.S. & foreign patents pending, Printed in U.S.A. This set is in a large box. ...(15"x11"x20"). This is an awesome set! and a super rare find in this condition! It would make an excellent addition to your collection. Thanks for looking and be sure to Check out my other items! We offer combined shipping on all items. Please review photos and ask any questions you may have before bidding.!







My Take:
I regret not bidding on this one as I was watching it and got distracted (away from my computer I didn't get in a bid). I would have brought it up to $1500 or so as I don't possess an OSS example. I think someone got a good deal here, as I only know of a handful in this condition.

1970 MAJOR MATT MASON W ASTRO TRAC VEHICLE & MORE!


eBay Auction #380198834231
Ending Bid: $461.00
End Date: Jan 23, 2010 19:38:07 PST

Description:
1970 MAJOR MATT MASON W ASTRO TRAC VEHICLE & MORE!
CONDITION NOTES: This MATT MASON lot comes with a minty 6” MATT MASON figure and helmet with good inner wires and almost no wear, a battery operated Astro-Trac vehicle, which is missing the foam tire pads but still runs good and has the 2 mobile launch pads, a working space mortar with a cap firing projectile, and a 24” x 38” vinyl moonscape play mat with 3 snap on raised moon craters. Other than some light age related wear, this lot is in excellent condition and will display very nicely.

This item is one of a fantastic collection of vintage toys I have on Ebay this week. I always combine shipping for multiple auction winners so please take a look at our other auctions and save on shipping!

Please note that the camera picks up lint and dust resting on the toys and accessories that may appear as flaws. Please examine each picture carefully for actual flaws keeping in mind that most of these toys look far better in person than they do in the pictures. We will note in the CONDITION NOTES any details or flaws that are not readily apparent in the pictures but please keep in mind that we sometimes miss a small problem. Please feel free to email us if you have a question or if you see something we missed so we can correct the auction.

All my auctions are 100% guaranteed so bid with confidence!

I always combine shipping for multiple auction winners so please take a look at our other auctions and save on shipping!

REGARDING PAYMENT AND PICK-UP: Items may be paid for and picked up by the buyer or his/her representative (eg. a Postal Employee) locally.

I DO NOT TAKE PAYPAL. No, not even if you pay the fees. I do not even have a Paypal account! Contrary to the impression eBay may give you, sellers are not required to take Paypal. I know that your particular case is very special but please do not even ask. I realize that this may be asking you to take a risk with an established seller who has been on Ebay for more than twelve years, has over 20,000 positive transactions and a 99.4% seller rating, but I can supply a note from my mother as to my trustworthiness. PLEASE DO NOT BID IF YOU INTEND TO USE PAYPAL!



My Take:
I find it very interesting that so many Astro Trac Missle Convoy Set mats have recently appeared on eBay. It just seems to go that way sometimes - where several appear in clumps, then none for a long time (sometimes years). The set was a Sears exclusive, so fairly rare, especially boxed. It was offered for two years and may have remained on the shelves for longer so there's no telling how many of them are out there. Figuring that a very nice figure and the two Mobile Launch Pads go for about $100 each, adding in the matt and the winning bid follows the most recent trends. I noticed that the other MLP showed up in a subsequent auction by the same seller (who has some great GI Joe lots going on as well).

1965 MATTEL PROTYPE SPACE LASER BLAZER MATT MASON BOXED


eBay Auction #110483497269
Ending Bid: $1,239.00
End Date: Jan 23, 2010 20:41:28 PST

Description:
. . ....... . . ....................................................................... ! . . . . . . . . . . WE !!!! GIVE !!!!!!!!! HUGE !!!!!!!! SHIPPING !!!!!! DISCOUNTS !!!!!!!ON ALL ORDERS THAT ARE PAID FOR AT THE SAME TIME . YOU CAN BID UP TO 7 DAYS IN A ROW AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO COMBINE YOUR INVOICES SO YOU CAN PAY ONE SHIPPING CHARGE .................... . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . ......... . . . ....... ..................... ................. . . ALSO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE USING A LISTING SERVICE AND IF YOU WANT MORE THAN ONE AUCTION EACH NIGHT. DONT WAIT TILL THE LAST SECONDS TO BID AS ALL THE AUCTIONS WILL BE ENDING WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF EACH OTHER. MOST PEOPLE USE BIDDING SERVICES THAT ALLOW YOU TO BID ON MULTIPLE AUCTIONS WELL IN ADVANCE AND COST PENNIES TO USE . ALL SHIPMENTS WILL BE FULLY INSURED BUT EBAY HAS CHANGED THE TERM INSURANCE TO THE SELLER CHARGES SECTION. SO PEASE REMEMBER THIS WHEN GETTING YOUR INVOICE. THE SELLER CHARGES SECTION IS ONLY INSURANCE. NO EXTRA FEES . . .................................................... WOW RARE DOES NOT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THIS TOY . IT IS HUG AT 26 INCHES LONG AND COMES IN A BOX THAT IS 28 INCHES LONG BY 10 INCHES TALL. WE PURCHASED IT FROM A LADY THAT USED TO WORK FOR MATTEL BACK IN THE 1960s. SHE SAID THAT IT WAS GIVEN TO HER FOR HER CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH AS A TEST TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE MARKETED. . SHE SAID THAT IT DID NOT EVER GO INTO PRODUCTION . WE HAVE SHOWN THIS PIECE TO COUNTLESS TOY DEALERS ACCROSS THE COUNTRY AND NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN ONE OF THESE BEFORE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE MATT MASON SPACE RIFLE YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS TOY WAS DERIVED FROM THAT TOY AS THEY LOOK PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL. THE DIFFERENCE BEING THAT THE MATT MASON EXAMPLE IS ONLY ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG. THE BOX GRAPHICS ARE FANTSTIC AND REMIND US OF THE GRAPHICS ON THE MATTEL LOST IN SPACE ROTO JET GUN . ALTHOUGH THE BOX OVERALL LOOKS PRETTY DECENT. WE HAD TO USE A LOT OF CARDBOARD TAPE ON THE INSIDE TO SHORE UP THE ENDFLAPS AND STABILIZE THE BOX. IT HAS TWO MISSING INNER ENDFLAPS ON ONE SIDE AND A PARTIAL INNER ENFLAP MISSING ON THE OTHER. LOTS OF WEAR AND TEAR . THIS BEITNG SAID IT REALLY LOOKS NICE FROM A DISPLAY POINT OF VIEW. THE RIFLE HAS A CRANK ON THE SIDE THAT MAKES EERIE SISINTEGRATOR SOUNDS. HOWEVER IT IS MISSING THE EYE PIECE FOR THE SCOPE AND SOME SORT OF COVER AT THE TOP . OTHERWISE A GREAT LOOKING PIECE.





My Take:
I absolutely love when items like this show up - a real surprise! I threw in a bid but was passed towards the end - this is a genuinely rare item. I can attest that it doesn't exist in any Mattel Catalogs that I own and I don't believe it was ever sold to consumers. Looking at the box labels, I suspect that this was a "test market" item rather than a prototype - they probably made a few and gave them out to Mattel employee families to see how it was received. It's hard to say when - it may have pre-dated Major Matt Mason, possibly built in the mid-60's looking at the silver-space suit. It's very similar to some of the Agent Zero-M toys from that same period. Since it didn't go to market there were probably problems with it in the hands of it's test group - I suspect that it either didn't have enough actions (what do you mean it doens't shoot anything...?) or was difficult to use (how do you hold the pistol grip and crank the handle to make the sounds?). I hope to get some additional photos from the buyer. Typical of Mattel, I'm betting that this existed first and the general shape was "shrunk down" to fit the MMM toyline figures (my logic is that if existed after or during it would have had the MMM logo on it, etc).

MAJOR MATT MASON SEALED CASE OF 12 ACCESSORY PACKS !!!
MOON SUIT ROCKET LAUNCH SPACE PROBE COUNTER TOP DISPLAY


eBay Auction #120519799685
Ending Bid: No Bids (Opening Bid: $3999)
End Date: Jan 28, 2010 10:04:10 PST

Description:
THIS IS A VINTAGE MATTEL SEALED BOX OF 12 MAJOR MATT MASON ACCESSORY PAKS WITH COUNTER TOP DISPLAY!!!

THE BOX CONTAINS 4 MOON SUIT CARDS , 4 ROCKET LAUNCH CARDS AND 4 SPACE PROBE CARDS

THESE WERE THE FIRST 3 ACCESSORY PAKS MATTEL PUT OUT FOR MAJOR MATT MASON 7 MORE WOULD COME LATER DOWN THE ROAD

THE BOX HAS A "CRUNCHED" END AS SEEN IN PHOTO

THIS IS RARER THAN RARE!!!! I CAN FORWARD AN EMAIL TO ANYONE INTERESTED OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE INSIDE OF THE BOX AS THE PERSON I BOUGHT THIS FROM HAD A FEW MORE AND WAS SELLING THE PAKS SEPERATELY

ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SERIOUS MAJOR MATT MASON COLLECTOR OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY THANKS






My Take:
Post number three (see previous comments from December) for the same ad (basically a "relist" in eBay terms). Now were down to about $4K for the sealed case - getting much more reasonable, that's for sure.

Major Matt Mason Space Mission Box Set



eBay Auction #260541986052
Ending Bid: $255
End Date: Jan 29, 2010 15:05:20 PST

Description:
Please see our other auctions for more Major Matt Mason items and Colorforms Aliens! Thank you.

Major Matt Mason Mattel's 1968 Man in Space Space Mission Team box set includes original box in very good condition. It has all its flaps, but does have some out of shape and wear. Four astronauts and equipment with alien. Matt Mason has a small white piece missing from his right hip in front and top of neck where his helmet touched his body. Doug Davis has some paint loss in a few spots and also has a seperation in the first black rib right leg below butt. Not bad; I just mention it for accuracy. Sgt. Storm paint loss small area on butt and a small speck on front belly area and some around where helmet touched his body. Alien Callisto has a little paint loss on eyebrows, looks great otherwise. All wires are great, not broken or coming out on any figures. Alien Callisto comes with his sensor shoulder harness, stinger and pump. Alos comes with Matt's space sled and Doug's Red Cat. Red Cat is in excellent condition. Space sled has some melt marks otherwise it is in great condition. Callisto sensor stinger is complete in excellent condition. Set only has one helmet. Back of helmet has a little plastic lamination peel. Box set is really nice and a super-hard-set to find. I just wanted to be accurate in my description. Take a look at all the pictures and you can see for yourself how nice this set is.

Pay Pal gladly accepted. PLEASE WAIT FOR AN EBAY INVOICE FROM ME BEFORE PAYING since I have no idea what this will weigh when it's packed, so I don't know the cost. Figures on page are estimates only. Many times the actual cost to you will be less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Take:
Much closer to what I consider the value of this set - for an opened box I think this one went for a fair price.

Major Matt Mason 1967 Sears Missile Convoy set PLAY MAT



eBay Auction #260541986052
Ending Bid: $113.61
End Date: Jan 30, 2010 13:40:35 PST

Description:
I recently purchased a large collection of vintage Major Matt Mason toys and will be selling the collection as time permits so check my other auctions. I don't collect MMM toys, and I know very little about them, so please ask any questions you have before bidding and I will do my best to help. Most everything has been played with and has been stored away for many years, so there might be some dust/dirt to clean up on some things. I have not attempted to clean or restore any items so they come to you as found. Some functions may not work on these old toys, and they may need some fix-up to get them going again. I will try to describe them to the best of my ability but again, I am no expert. They are being sold as collectible items and all items will be sold as-is, no returns. You can see more pictures of this collection here:

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd71/actionplus/major%20matt%20mason/

This is the moonscape play mat from the Sears exclusive Astro Trac Missile Convoy Set. It is in very good condition, a little wrinkled from storage all these years. Comes with 3 vacuform plastic moon craters that are in excellent condition.

I didn't want to clean or alter it in any way so it comes to you as you see.
I will combine shipping on multiple purchases so check my other auctions!

Questions and answers about this item

Q: Hi, can you please tell me the approximate size (dimensions) of the mat? Thanks.
A: about 39" x 23"

My Take:
At this point we're getting to saturation on the availability of the ATMCS Mat - some of those that have already sold are probably extras to be used by collectors for display purposes. It's amazing to see so many for sale within such a short time (see last month's blog post).

Matt Mason JEFF LONG w Cat Trac & Helmet EXCELLENT!!!!


eBay Auction #330398725102
Ending Bid: $175.00
End Date: Jan 31, 2010 21:28:03 PST

Description:
Up for auction: JEFF LONG astronaut figure from Mattel Toy Company's Major Matt Mason toy line (ca. late 1960s). The figure is in excellent condition with NO broken wires. The paint is nice and shiny with a minimal amount of rubs (see photos). The head is pristine. The figure comes with a helmet and a red Cat Trac, both in superb condition. This figure is from my personal collection. I have decided to reduce the number of some of the multiple loose items that I own. This is a very nice item.

Conditions (Please Read): The buyer is to contact the seller within 3 days after the auction closes. Payment is to be made within 1 week after the auction closes. Payment may be made via Paypal. Item will be sent out withing 1 week of receiving payment. Any sales outside of the United States will require being paid for by Paypal only. Any sale outside of the lower 48 states of the continental United States will require a calculation of shipping charges. Also, insurance will be required for any sale amount exceding $50.00

If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to contact me. I pride myself on customer satisfaction and providing an enjoyable eBay experience.

Good Luck!!!



My Take:
Very nice figure - for a while you couldn't touch one this nice for less than $200 - with minty examples going for more. Still this one has certainly retained most of its value. After tracking these actions for so many years it becomes evident that Jeff Long is legitimately rare.

-- John

1 comment:

Norman Boyd said...

John
Your email at wildtoys appears no longer valid. Please contact me at feedbackATfrankbellamyDOTcoDOTuk. I have an avdert for MMM that you might not have seen