Stad’s Marx Figure Collection IGY, Blondie we first look at a couple of the Marx figures used in the IGY playset. Next, we look at the second version of Alexander Bumstead.
Stad’s Marx Figure Collection I. G.Y. Playset
One of the Marx Playsets I got as a child was the I.G.Y. playset. It was not one I would have picked, but my mother
The Arctic Explorers in the playset were in a light blue, while Eskimos were in yellow. Both sets of figures have been reissued. They first turned up in the famous or infamous sewing boxes playsets from Mexico. Later they were sold figures only. According to Kent Sprecher on his site, the tan figures are reissue variation.
The bigger question is on the middle figure in the photo. The arctic explorer with lamp and pick ax is in a green color. The question is where this may have been used or is it a reissued figure. Do you know?
Stad’s Marx Figure Collection Blondie
Marx did a series of comic strip character figures in the 1950s. One of the comic strips done was Blondie. The group had five figures: Dagwood, Blondie, Daisy the Dog, Cookie, and Alexander. Three of the figures were revised Blondie, Cookie, and Alexander. According to Eric Johns on his website, the Blondie group were in Dollhouse playset.
No help in solving it BUT I’d sure like a full set/mold shot of all the arctic figures in that green color … soft plastic of course … What are Mexican Sewing Box sets ??
When the reissued playsets first came out of Mexico they came in white plastic boxes. Some people call sewing basket boxes. I have one yet in the garage. I will photograph it and tell you about the one time Dinamicos showed at the New York Toy Fair.
Are they basket or like luggage plastic shape ?/
The boxes are white and rectangular in shape. There are lattice openings on each side of the label showing the playset title and contents.
I think the green figure may have been part of Greg Hahn’s (who owned Stone Castle Hobbies in Louisville) Mexican reissue lot of figures he brought into the US and sold in his store. He was one of the 1980s group of people who got stuff made by the Mexican factories in a wide variety of colors.
I think Kent is right.
I remember standing in front of Greg Hahn’s table at the Indiana Toy Soldier Show (back when it was still being run by Barry Carter). Greg was selling clear, see-through hard plastic boxes containing five separate 5 sets of Marx Alamo Mexican Army reissues. Each set was made in a different color, all in a soft, pliable plastic that was comparable to the original soft plastic used by Marx. Each box had a set of red Mexicans, a set of yellow Mexicans, a set of green Mexicans, a set of blue Mexicans, and a set of orange Mexicans.
Greg was patiently pointing out to everyone that you could put each color in a separate grouping attacking the Alamo, to represent different regiments in Santa Ana’s army.
I thought that seemed like a good idea, and purchased three of the boxes, which gave me 18 figures in each of the five colors.
At the time, I didn’t get any of Mr. Hahn’s other reissue sets, but I did notice he had several other Marx reissue sets in multiple bright colors.
With Kent, I strongly suspect that’s the origin of the green miner/Arctic explorer above. I definitely don’t think its some rare Marx color variation which someone is just now stumbling across.
For many years, Bill Murphy also has been running Marx reissues in multiple colors.
It might be so. Until we have actual confirmation and data it is an unknown. I do remember that Greg having redcoats in yellow. He did not have the reissues for long. He did have the Civil War Bridge also.
Of course you are right, Admin.
We can only surmise on something like this, never knowing with absolute certainty.
I also remember the yellow reissue Marx American Revolution redcoats which Gregg Hahn produced. I liked those too, and bought a set.
And just like all those multi-colored Alamo Mexicans, I ended up eventually selling them during one of those periods in my adult life when I got bored with toy soldiers. Now I wish I had them back!