The daring military successes of Seal Team Six missions have inspired a new generation of boys to play with action figurines. It has also rekindled an interest in the iconic GI JOE Action Figures. Male Baby Boomers grew up playing in the shadow of World War II and he was their toy box hero. Today many of those man are avid collectors of GI Joe and all of his accessories. In addition to action figures, these collectors also love the vehicles that took him into battle and safely home again.
While almost every boy who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s had a GI Joe, these actions figure were played with. They weren’t coddled and kept in the boxes for future investments. As a result many of these are not in the pristine condition that today’s collectors demand. As for boxes, most of those did not survive the Christmas morning blitz that brought many action figures into a boy’s life. When collectors spy an action figure in its original box, they pounce on it. Most people today know their value, so there won’t be many selling at yard sales or thrift shops.
There is also a large counterfeit movement to cash-in on these, so it’s best to buy from a reputable dealer who has been in business for many years. Before making an initial purchase, it’s good to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure that there are no complaints about the company. It’s always a reassuring sign to find a business that has been doing business in the same area for decades. Reputable dealers also sell at conferences and trade shows. Anyone who is willing to open themselves and their action figures up to hundreds of knowledgeable collectors at the same time is a respected dealer.
Some sellers can’t resist the urge to touch up a battered action figure. True collectors know what colors to look for. It’s always best to bring a verified sample along to check the color of a rare piece. If the seller says that an odd color was a factory mistake, then check with the company or a known expect to make sure that such a mistake was indeed made.
