Comment Time Number Two

Here is the second one from Bill Nevins on the Marx meet. I believe I did not take any pictures. Today I am carrying a camera to most shows, I will doing video in the future.

Here is the article

The second Marx Meet was a great success. everyone that was there had a great time. There was lots of material to choose from. Very few playsets but many different figures and variations. We were able to see American Beauties painted from Germany, for the first time. Supposedly they were available from an adult magazine in the ’50’s. Everyone agreed that it was a great time and I cannot wait for the next one.
The person who we honored was Ed Watts. (ED NOTE: Ed has since passed away). Ed is a collector who has helped many other collectors get started. He has always shared information within the hobby and he has discovered many goodies for the collector. Ed is truly a gentlemen. Once again, congratulations to Ed. (ED NOTE: Ed Watts was a terrific person who was known to all of the plastic collectors. He always had time to chat with you and always offered advice on collecting. He was one of a kind. Godspeed, Ed).
At the Marx Meet we were able to display the handicraft of one of our customers. He is into repairing plastic figures. He took a damaged Rip Masters and replaced the broken gun with a sword. He also took the clubbing pioneer and replaced the broken rifle with an axe. Remember these are damaged figures. if you are interested in having him do some work for you, send a SASE and we will pass along your information.
At the Meet we were shown an interesting variation on a Johnny Tremain character figure. The REB STAINLUS figure had his name replaced by the name DICK BEYMER. I have never heard this name before. Does anyone out there recognize it?
There is a rumor going around that another figure dealer is selling re-issues as original figures. ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. We have seen his material and know that it is real. I know re-issues form originals. I have handled over 4 million figures in my lifetime and 500,00 have been re-issues. This rumor started due to the fact that he has unusual colors for sale. Many were never seen before. This was because they were test shots used to check the molds and were never intended for public sale. No major dealer is trying to sell re-issues as originals. It would be foolhardy to try it. So let’s put that rumor to rest right now.
One final note, the Tasha Var and Data figures from Star Trek the Next Gen are selling at comic and science fiction conventions for between 10-25 dollars.
This is amazing because they are still available in stores. Talk about hype.
More next time.

Here is my thoughts of that time.

The show was 33 years ago. It was a fun show, but I do not remember much. Shockley was there and he was across from Peter Fritz. There was bad blood between them. Ron had a large load of pieces from Marx. The story was that his aunt had gotten the items when Marx was dumping into one of their dumps. She supposily went into the ditches to retrieve items. The items sat in barrels on a farm the family own.  Ron was discovered by a party when he sold some of the plastic pieces at a show. Ron dealt in glassware.
The person wanted to control this find but it fell through. Others people tried including Peter Fritz. When Peter was pushed out he got bitter and nasty toward Ron. I had a good relations with Ron Shockley as I had no interest in being his partner. We had many pleasant  conversations. I still remember the time Laurie and I met him at Valley Forge at a collectible show. Ron had a motor home which every spot was filled with Marx pieces in plastic garbage bags. After years off selling the items Ron sold the remains to Rick Koch. I have not heard of anything on Ron for years.
Ron Shockley was the party that I was talking about with the color variations. Rumors were brought on the figures because the reissues from Mexico were in all different colors. The figures from Mexico were at that time in a stiff plastic. I know at the time people were trying to knock these figures to get back at Ron. I never like when people pile on someone. I felt if I gave my two cents it would stop the rumor, which I believe it did.
I had thought of starting an award to honor people who helped the hobby and Ed Watts was number one on my list. Ed was a great guy.The tradition of selling that Ed Watts did is being continued by his son Gerry Watts.
I stopped it for various reasons including figuring other people would take it over.
 
The Richard Beymer was the person who played Reb Stanlius. According to IMDB on the movie “Johnny Tremain” he was listed as Dick Beymer. It was shown to me by Ron Shockley. I have no idea why it was done with that slug. I have never seen another one like it since. Richard Beymer is still alive but has not done any work since 2008. Back then I would have to gone the library for the information, today you can get the information instantly on your phone or tablet. Laurie and I were in a restaurant yesterday and a woman could not remember who else was on “Dallas”. Laurie responded Charlene Tilton.  The woman thanked her and said her daughter would have google it if Laurie had not said it.
I can not remember who the person was doing the figure changes.
I still have not got a confirmation on the American Beauties being sold in adult magazines.