This is one of the odder things that came
out of Galoob Towers in the later
period of that company's Micro Machine
range. As there was only ever the one set, we have to assume it was a
toe-dipping exercise, which, upon poor sales was given the chop!
A shame really, as the concept is a good
one, and were it to be extended to other sports or 'Track & Field' there
would be literally an endless supply of names to collect. What's ironic though
is that there is probably more collectability in the accompanying busts, which
are very similar to the old cereal and coffee premium busts of people like Kellogg's (historical characters and
Indian chiefs) and Quaker (military
heroes of the sea, and land) or turntable centrepieces of Y'Bon and Banania (French
pop stars).
It's like the recent failures of Hasbro's 54mm Star Wars Command range or World's
Apart's short-lived Horrible
Histories figures, the modern toy industry doesn't allow enough time for
things to grow, an idea is had, a budget is agreed, a production schedule and
marketing campaign are then squeezed into (or out of?!!) that budget, and if
after a cut-off point, the profit margin hasn't reached a pre-agreed level - it
curtains, folks!
So we have just the four 'microverse' figures and
four busts, most still sold like this - MIP! - on evilBay and 'microplay'
actually hit a dud!
It seems a rather peculiar concept, Hugh. You get busts, you get figures, then what ? Not sure the combination of the two would appeal to collectors of either. Then again, the popularity of baseball in the US is not what it was. Unless they also play, young people no longer follow the sport.
ReplyDeleteGood observation about the profit-driven development cycle, spot on.
Thanks for that Corporal T, over here we still sort of think Baseball is still joint tops over the pond with American Football, figures for which (also from Brain B) will be appearing here shortly!
ReplyDeleteH