NOTE:
This is an archived page originally sent via email in 1999. The links
are old and basically defunct. Saved for historical and informational
purposes only.
Welcome to the second issue of the Major Matt Mason newsletter!
This
newsletter is going out to 484 Major Matt Mason collectors via e-mail. This
is a bi-weekly newsletter, and everyone is invited to contribute.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Editor's notes
2. Re-Painting and Re-Wiring Matt Mason figures
3. MMM web sites
4. MMM display cases!
5. Matt Mason E-mail list
6. Coming attractions
EDITOR'S NOTES
Well thanks to everyone who wrote me with positive comments on the first MMM
newsletter! I honestly did not expect such an overwhelming response! There
were only a few "Thanks but no thanks" e-mails, and a bunch of "Hey where
can I
get mine!" e-mails. This newsletter is going to 484 MMM fans this week!
This issue has a fantastic article by John Eaton on re-painting and re-wiring
Matt Mason figures. John did an outstanding job and this article is a must
-
read! John really out did himself here and so thank him by visiting his web
site
(listed in the very next article)
Also, please join the MMM e-mail list! This is the best way to stay in touch
with MMM fans! See the section below on joining the list.
Next issue I will start the "Great Finds" section. This will be where collectors tell
their stories of finding great MMM items. Please let us know yours!
Finally, since I send this out on Microsoft Outlook Express, all you AOL users will not get this properly formatted. No links or bold headings etc. AOL really is a pain in the butt this way. Sorry. I suggest dumping AOL and using an ISP. With Cable modems set to be the standard in the very near future. AOL will not be the ISP of choice. (And yes, I am an AOL user, but I have an ISP as well).
RE-PAINTING AND RE-WIRING MATT MASON FIGURES
The question has arisen about the relative value of re-paints/re-wires.
Many collectors value them less than original painted figures and some think
that even a figure with broken wires and most of its paint gone are worth
more than repaints. Here are some considerations:
Pros:
1.) Most re-paints/re-wires (shortened to rp/rws for convenience) are done
from shot figures, most are un-poseable and have little of their original
paint. The value of these shot figures is negligible (they can usually be
bought for less than $15). If not rp/rw they usually collect dust in a bag
with pals in similar condition. Rp/rws offer an option for those that are
kept hidden and not enjoyed.
2.) Rp/rws can be painted with custom colors, introducing a rainbow of
astronaut suit options. The heads can be painted with beards. Blondes,
black hair or titian coloring can be incorporated for an unlimited number
of
design variations. Here are a few exceptional ones from Pat's site:
http://www.phd.msu.edu/storto/mmcustom.htm
You could populate a whole otherworldly landscape with
re-painted figures while your original, valuable ones enjoy a rest, safely
tucked away in safety. Or an option is to repaint your figures using the
prototype paint schemes from earlier Mattel dealer catalogs:
http://www.wildtoys.com/MMMPage/MMMplayers/Dougproto.jpg
3.) Rp/rws offer a new display option. Because they don't have original
paint, many collectors don't mind posing them in more difficult displays.
Who would sacrifice a nice original paint Jeff, for instance, in the talking
backpack knowing that the paint will come off from rubbing against the
strap?
4.) Many of the rp/rws have a heavier gauge wire, often of stainless or
better material, which resists breakage (at least they're stronger than the
30 year old wire presently in original figures) and is easier to pose.
Because the paint is fresher, the figures hold up to wear and handling
better
(exceptions below).
Cons:
1.) Depending on the rw/rp technique used, there could be detectable joint
seams (the following example has not been re-painted so the "v" shaped cut
is more noticeable):
http://www.wildtoys.com/MMMPage/MMMprototypes/rewired.jpg
2.) Some paints "aromatize" (a term for the "gassing out" of plasticizers
changing the composition of the paint) and become duller or have "blooms"
or
other defects. Some paints take months to harden and are as delicate as the
original paint. The original paint is paint developed for covering
latex..others are merely substitutes.
3.) The new paint may be "too shiney" and cause the figure to be extremely
glossy, not approximating the original paint (which had some gloss but not
as much as a gloss paint. Somewhere between semi-gloss and gloss).
4.) Some re-paint artists have little skill and can really butcher the job
(especially the details of the flag).
5.) Some use stainless steel wire which is actually more brittle than
regular steel wire (of course, fresh, heavier gauge stainless wire would
still be stronger than the original, 30 year old played-with wire!).
With this in mind we come to the real worth of the figures. Are they
worth more or less than original painted figures? Considering a nice minty
Matt is worth $75-125 on today's market (look at what he's fetching on eBay
if you don't believe me!), I think a nice re-paint is worth at least $50-75.
Most who are willing to rw/rp figures charge around $40-50 to do the job
right.
Add in $10-15 for a beat-up figure and you've got $65. Add in shipping
charges both ways and the trouble to re-sell the figure and $75 seems
reasonable indeed. If nothing else, the figure is worth far more than the
original beat-up figure. The value is really relative to the purpose of
having the figure re-done. If the figure is enjoyed as a poser that
otherwise would have been locked away on a dark shelf, its value is
priceless.
There have been many people who have rw/rp-ed their figures. I've seen
pics of figures painted with many different types of paint...Latex Acrylic
from Home Depot, Enamels, Polycarbonates, and real paint for Latex. The
Latex acrylics and Enamels seem to hold up to wear the least, the
Polycarbonates take the longest to dry (if they ever!), and the Paint for
Latex seems to be the best (as it's what Mattel appears to have used).
Steve DeLong, a collector in Atlanta painted a Matt with a green
Polycarbonate paint. He added a little automotive de-glossier and an
automotive drying agent to approximate the original paint. Although a nice
figure when I received it, over time the paint has become tacky and has
stuck to the stand I placed it in. Steve did a beautiful job painting an
ecology flag on his chest, though...
http://www.wildtoys.com/MMMPage/MMMarchive/EcoMatt.jpg
Patrick Storto has experimented with re-painting his own figures. Pics are
here:
http://www.phd.msu.edu/storto/mmm.htm
(there are more in a link above)
There are four who have previously offered their services as rw/rp
specialist (at different times, they have withdrawn their services due to
overwhelming orders or work/home responsibilities so an answer to an e-mail
may be ignored):
1.) Tom Wentland retro50@agapeis.net
(no longer has time to rw/rp but still
has copies of the video)
Produced a video tape for the DIY enthusiast (you can order one directly
from him). One of the first to offer his services and has done a lot of
research. Uses a heavier gauge wire.
Tom Wentland adds:
Copper wire, 14 gauge, should not be used in white Matt figures. This will
cause the same problem as the Barbies with brass earrings. That is, the
Chloride in the PVC figure will react with the copper to form cupric
chloride and discolor the figure. (over 20 years or so, but I want the
figures to last for someone else when I'm gone).
I previously used polycarb paint in my video, in light coats with a long dry
time, however recently I attempted a repaint for a client and it turned into
a mess. The paint would not cure; I thought it was a bad mix, so I bought
another can, and had the same problem. I suspect that Pactra may have
changed it's paint mixture slightly- I have no other explanation and don't
know why it happened. I have updated the addendum in my Matt repair guide
to reflect this.
The paint to use for Matts is called Perma-Matt, from Monster Makers.7305
Cleveland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102. 216 631-4329. This stuff is PERFECT
and is the exact paint Mattel Used, as far as I can tell. It is also
water-soluble. It comes in amounts from $20 and up. The base is white;
then you buy color to add to the base. For those who don't have an
airbrush, Home Depot sells disposable air brushes for under $10 that accept
any type of paint.
2.) Tom Langland mattmason@earthling.net
(I receive a bounce back so I
believe the address has changed)
Produces a fine line of rw/rps.
(Try Tom at Tom.Langland@quickmail.llnl.gov....Ed.)
3.) Dennis Widner (The Toy Surgeon) obiwan@wctel.net
Uses paint that is the closest approximate to the original Mattel paint. Go
to his Web site: http://www.ps.uga.edu/cs/donna/toy.html
for pics.
Dennis adds:
I actually did testing on wire and found that stainless is more durable.
I have also used heavier gauge copper which works well also. (but see Tom
Wentland's warning above about White Rubber Matts).
As for the seams, You can ask my customers about them. I actually cut on
the original seams. In some cases the seam must be filled and I can do
that. I try not to disturb the original surface as much as possible. I
used to cut down the zipper but I have quit doing that in liu of making
more cuts. The zipper area is very noticeable and any disruption here is
a disaster. I have sucessfully opened at the zipper area and the
sharkman and others have a couple. I now make more cuts, but very
un-noticeable.
I have my own questions on duability and longevity. I ask my customers
to report in from time to time to see how my work is standing up.
I tell everyone that I know the value is less but at least its more
appealing to see a rp/rw, than a half stripped Matt with broken
appendages.
I have also customized, they have been very successful. I am actually
working on a line that will be out for review soon. Not just different
paint jobs !
I think the stand idea is really functional. It allows you to stand him
up with gear without anything touching the paint. I will be expanding
on them also.
I also "brand" my work under the left foot for those people out there
who will try to pawn them off as mint. There are a few out there without
a brand.
In closing, I would like to say that I do this only as a hobby and to
honor Major Matt Mason. Everyone know why we are into them. As kids
they brought us joy and amazement and these are things we remember for a
lifetime. I am just glad I was born to be able to enjoy them. I hate to
see bruised MMMs anywhere and I try to bring them back to their glory
days.
4.) Jim Hampton jthamp@flash.net
Created the John Glenn custom...pic hers:
http://www.geocities.com/~megocentral/johnglenn.jpg
- John Eaton
- john@wildtoys.com
- http://wildtoys.com
THE COMPLETE MMM WEB SITE LIST
OK, I hope this is in fact complete. If I have missed any, please let me
know!
The Best:
These are the two best sites out there.
http://www.vazda.com/mmm/port.htm
An unbelievable piece of work. This is a truly amazing site. Info
on every know MMM piece and lots more.
http://www.wildtoys.com/MMMPage/mmm.html
The other truly great site with lots of info on foreign and prototype
MMM stuff! John is very active in the MMM world and is always working on
this site.
Others of note:
Each of these is interesting and unique.
http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/mm.html
Billed as "The Original Major Matt Mason Page", this site has a good
message board for MMM and other toys and some info on Matt as well as
photos.
http://www.phd.msu.edu/storto/mmm.htm
Pat Storto has a great site with tons of links for repro MMM items
and more!
http://gvtc.com/~jblanch/mason/
This site deals with a proposed Major Matt Mason Lunar Module that
some collectors were working on. This site takes forever to load, so be
patient!
http://www.ncshoppingmall.com/mmmpics/
Includes ordering info on Greg Gabry's great MMM repro stickers!
http://home.interhop.net/~grwalker/cgi-bin/mmmacc01.htm
Graeme Walker's repro MMM parts!
http://www.ps.uga.edu/cs/donna/toy.html
Doug Widner's MMM re-painting and re-wiring page.
http://www0.delphi.com/collect/archives/actfig/actfig5.html
An article that regular Ray Kolasa wrote for Action Figure Times.
With pictures! A good primer on Matt.
Collectors Pages:
These are pages about the individual's personal collections.
http://members.aol.com/MDFadden/Major_Matt_Mason.html
http://home.interpath.com/csd/index.html
http://members.aol.com/ECTOI/index.html
MMM DISPLAY CASES
I have recently been hunting down display cases to protect my MMM collection.
I will be selling display cases for All MMM products over the next few
months.
The first item I am selling is an AWESOME domed display for a single MMM
figure. This is unbelievable and I strongly urge you to get these to protect
those sharp MMM figures. The dome is made of acrylic and the base is solid
wood.
You can see the dome at :
http://members.aol.com/alecpeters/sjar.jpg
Each dome is $ 19.95 delivered
Four domes for $ 69.95 delivered
JOIN THE MAJOR MATT MASON E-MAIL LIST !
If you are a Major Matt Mason fan, you need to join the Matt mason E-mail
list. Over a hundred MMM fans regularly send messages about Matt Mason. The
best way to stay in touch with other collectors and learn about your favorite
astronaut.
Just e-mail John Eaton at john@wildtoys.com
and ask him to put you on
the list!
COMING ATTRACTIONS
The next issue of the MMM newsletter will feature...
An article by Mark Stuart on the cycle of collecting. (That was supposed to
be this issue, but Mark is too busy working till 11:00 every night making
GoMainline.com the next Ebay).
A price Guide on loose MMM pieces (I was supposed to get that together, but
I work for Mark!)
The first "Great Finds" column!
And more........
Happy Hunting!
Alec
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