Plastic Figure Showcase NO 6 July 2017 we are back with a mix bag of items. Ed Borris sent photos of the other Eldon 45mm army figures. I have a few more Spanish figures to show. We look at the Toy Street Version of the Marx Indian Teepee. One note in next month’s Plastic Showcase I will be showing more American plastic.
Plastic Figure Showcase NO 6 July 2017 Eldon Army
In the previous Plastic Showcase we showed two of the Eldon 45mm Army Figures. In this photo we have either army yelling or harbor master we showed the Plastic Figure Showcase. The other figure is army with machine gun at waist.
Two more of the poses are advancing with bayonet and grenade thrower. There are six poses in total. The only one we do not have a picture of is the kneeling firing pose. I got my figures with the landing craft. I may still have landing craft somewhere. The figures were also used with a large tank and other items.
Plastic Figure Showcase NO 6 July 2017 More Spanish Figures 
LaFredo did many nice six inch figures which I have highlighted in the past. This figure is 70mm. I like dynamics of the pose.
Here we have from Pech Hermanos Jane from the Tarzan series. Spain had several Tarzan and related figures done. Some were reissued by Bum in their Tarzan of Apples set. LOL
Our final Spanish figures in a Jescan Musketeer from their Three Musketeers set.
Plastic Figure Showcase NO 6 July 2017 Toy Street
When I ask when the Marx Outdoor Accessories were made people gave me the answer of 1991 by Toy Street. That rang a bell, Toy Street was a company that was around for a short time. They used the molds that American Plastics still had. That is why MPC cavalry are in the set not Marx. The Marx cavalry mold was in Mexico. Toy Street was either done by one of the members of the Marx family or Jay Horowitz. We will find out.
The Toy Street version of the Marx Teepee is in white. What do you think of this color?
I like more thr teepee in that color.more realistic.
I think Tararzan apples was Bum.Pech hermanos original maker did the set w right name.I need corroborate that detail w books.
All charters were reissues w few animals by BUM.
That got the molds from Oliver rented only.
But the king Salomon full set was never release by BUM .ONLY 4 african out 16 poses.Neither the 12 explorers and hunters poses plus huge awesome all plastic palisade and HUTS.
The tree used by BUM reissued set
In Tarzan is indeed an apple tree from the original Nativity set by PH molds.
Best…
Bum is the one that had the title of Tarzan of the Apples on their boxes as I stated. Pech had it right.
They Toy street sets were great and silly cheap. I know that the very same Bob Bickle supplied many of the parts from the molds that he had. He had the pewter AWI cannons that were in the Pirate sets.
I think the Ideal pirates were his also. He sold me 100 cannons, before they went into the TS sets, so I know that to be fact.
The Marx silver knights were his also in the Knights Castle set. I’m sure that there were others.
You can find two different sets of Indians in the TS Fort Apache. One is in an almost translucent red and they are the most common. I have found blood red Indians with a sticky, mold release, substance that’s hard to clean off, 3 times. These came in the Sears set that I got and in 2 of the 6 Blockhouse Over The Gate sets.
Would anyone have any idea why?
The blood red Indians are cool looking but still sticky to the touch.
A woman vendor at a NJ flea market had cartons and cartons of TS playsets. They were packed 6 sets to the carton and each carton was 25 bucks. I took a carton of each set that she had with her. They were great for parts. Especially at 4 bucks a set. Toy Street had a NJ address and I wondered if that woman worked there and was selling off whatever stock they could unload before closing the doors.
Or maybe she stole it?
Bickle lived close by to me and I went to his house several times. Two years ago a locker was auctioned off out here. A 20 x 20 room that contained thousands and thousands of Bickle’s runs of the 6 green terrain squares, 6 inch MPC Astronauts with accs, A Life Like stage coach, a tank of some sort and about 100,000 Ideal AWI recasts in 4 colors.
Which begs the question of why Bob wasn’t paying the storage fees?
I wondered at the time, if he was still alive. I asked around, questioning the vendors that bought his stuff. A couple told me that a white guy would come to the market at 3 AM and sell off plastic figures and accessories out of his trunk. It was the same stuff that later surfaced when the storage unit was cracked open.
So It had to be Bickle selling the stuff off as best he could, knowing that the market was going to be flooded with his product in a couple of months, when his lease ran out.
The AWI recasts are the same stiff plastic as the Andygard ACW figures with the same problems. However, for 20 bucks I got 4 large tubs of them in each color, including the tubs!! Bickle had packed them in those big storage tubs, sorted by color, in bags of 25.
5 bucks each, tub and all. Just like the day Bob packed them.
The gray color is really good for 1812 and the light blue is nice.
Plenty of conversion possibilities and no worries about ruining good figures. Right, Mr. Liska?
Anyone know of Mr. Bickle whereabouts?
Bickle was RAM hobbies, correct? He only sent me 1/2 of what I paid for, did the same to TSSD. He sent me part of ATS toys order which I nicely sent to Al at my cost. Then Bickle disappeared and TSSD & I never got the rest of the stuff he owed us. Years later he popped up with an ad in PM magazine so Nick & I contacted him and asked where our stuff was. He promised to make everything right and then disappeared again…… If you find him let me know.
The correct name is Bob Bennet. Yes he was Ram Hobbies.
Paul Who had the MPC Pirate ship molds? Was it Horowitz?
I think that Toy Street was a conglomeration of several different mold holders. I know that Bob Bickle was one as I have his same products that later turned up in several sets.
I think that Glencoe may have provided parts also. Just a hunch.
It’s funny, but Bob, John Stengel and Horowitz all had a house within a few miles of each other in Queens.
The MPC ship was used in a playset sold at TRU I belive under TS .It was call “treasure island? ” .At Miami MARX warehouse I saw a lot of then stock over a table when I visit it in person.
I went to this warehouse w my brother in 1994 .
As far I recall the MPC ARW in red and light blue soft plastic were there in tons.
I brough hundres loose and resold it .I have still plenty in my collection .Resently i sold a big 120 lot of them.
I have the Marx russian, british and french too in bags in odd colors .I have few full set samples
Among non toy soldiers I remember seen and offered the marx cast bank trucks in cases too.I got one each sample.
Seller person was a Colombian guy who often refer to his bos as a “Polish” guy.Back then I do not know who was that.
Now I will imagine is that person after I mentioned to Paul he though most had been him.
Warehouse was in 184…nw street if I’m not mistake right top of my head in a corner side odd warehouse in a very bad area by the way.
We never pursue more interst back then as offering were high jn amount x our purpose back then but we took adv advantage all we saw and got chance buy x very low price.
There were indeed several molds in a table as were show to us but in loose state and not machinery was seen.
Best.
Best..
Sorry making retro my brain I need clearvout few things.
First the warehouse was in or around 15400 ave of North West.
Second.The Playset was buccaners or else name not island treasure as I say before.. And it had the MPC pirates in many sprue colors w weapons.The MPC ship.A rock and mix colors of Marx Pirates in 7 poses that most had come (as I find out later) from Mexico as was missing one pose.
It had some animals too I think.
I belive smaller boat was included and box was white w not pictures but drawing out only…
Once a remember more will add..
But the MPC ship was there a lot x sure in piles w these playsets.
Best…
The playset had an overgrown crocodile. Laurie hated the set when she first saw it.
Yes,bingo,that is the one ,i think was bright Green,funny looking crocodile ….
Best
Here’s a pic of Captain Blood Playset:
https://2warpstoneptune.com/2013/04/01/marx-toys-captain-blood-and-the-buccaneers-play-set/
Thanks Andy. Yes th that is the one and I recall seen tons on then over table snd some in floor.
I appreciate the link.
I was close in description I guess.
I was surprise when I open the box and saw most inside was not Marx.
I did not mention as i knew the guy there showing me was not knowlodge in toys at at all.
Back then I did not know much about marx but definitely could tell what was not and what was right.
They seem to pack those playset as admin by bringing from closes near places and puting all together.They use a lot old overstock dusted figures lots too.
The cost making those boxes most been a killer in business x small etrepenuer.
My thoughts.
Best
The MPc PIrate ship Molds Horowitz had them. Toy Street job from various sources. Glencoe supplied Horowitz some items from their sets.
I have a set of blood red Indians, too – I think they are still on a sprue – I never bothered taking them off and as you mentioned the stickiness I’m thinking that might be why I didn’t – it’s not like I really need them. I bought the set (maybe two as I have two sets of those Indians) to replace the fort walls that got stolen out of m apartment when I was in school after leaving the Army.
Again, I really need to get my collection and storage re-ordered where I can get to it. You’d think with all the kids growing up and leaving home my wife and I would finally have some space for our stuff. It doesn’t always work out that way – they leave mementos behind.
Toy street was a distributer x TRU and Kmart.
Best…
Benedict NOT Bickle. Yikes!!!
yes I knew Bickel did not sound right. Let me know if you find him.
I talked to the Toy Street guy once on the phone. Toys R Us squeezed him so hard on price that he only made .50 cents per set and finally gave up. The big green alligator in the pirate set was from Marx’s series of large wild animals. When I was in Miami on business I stopped by Jay Horowitz’s Marx operation. He was running all of the large animals and asked my opinion to which I responded that they would not sell well to the adult Marx playset collectors. In his big warehouse area he had an impressive large pyramid pile of molds. He was unsure of what he had. I told him that not having the Marx cavalry for his Fort Apache was not good as the collectors did not like the MPC figures. He said “But I am Marx so all of the figures are Marx” not really grasping what I was trying to tell him. He was vary gracious to me and I am sorry he could not get Marx going again.
Yes Horowitz had that attitude on what was Marx LOL. I heard the same the same thing. He would have paid money to Mexico for the Marx cavalry and it was cheaper to use what they had at his warehouse.
I recall the molds.Sorry to say this but they were stock in veey horrible way.Full of dust and not care.
I never observe wich one but was I approached by a guy working who show me the heavy they were.
Was first time I saw one in front.
Some blocks appear to be broken too.
I never saw more three person there.
Warehouse was large but not much high roof.It was a mess there.
My thought.
Best.
Molds many times get store poorly. I was told the Ideal molds were the same way and had to be cracked open to find out what was what.
Sad but true how many end damage and lost x ever.In future many will desapair.Who knows x how long they will survive till they end in landfill all destroyed.
When we think how many children were happy and us enjoy what come from then it get me nostalgic thoughts about these molds and those who operated then as well.
Best
Erwin, as I recall, there was also an unreleased Marx pirate/Treasure Island oriented playset. I have seen some of the accessories come up from time to time on eBay as factory finds or prototypes. Marx had some good 54mm and 60mm HP pirates as well. No idea as to what kind of pirate ships were proposed. I remember having the MPC pirate set with wooden masts on the ships when I was probably about age 4, so 1955 or so. Good play value with that MPC set. Of course you’re aware of Barzso’s pirate sets. Barzso produced some of the best accessories I’ve ever seen. I try to buy them when I can if the prices aren’t too crazy.
Andy ,yes the pirates i have then and not hard see around.
Several dealers in past had come across pirates full set HK Marx overstock cases and put x sale x bargain price considered the era .
It was cover here.
http://www.stadsstuff.com/?p=6437.
The pirate MARC Treasure island playset with accessories was cover too right after in here too and PFPC magazine also did a work on it too.
I have all Barzso resin type figures sets minus one last canadian rangers.
Pirates are well done,so are the arabic pirates too.
I never like the foam ships any ways .
Barzso accessories are harder as most come in very limited produced playset long discontinued .
The MPC Buccaneers playset was from 1991 by not TS but using the MARX logo in box .I think MPC did smaller playset of pirates originally .
best…
the MARX pirate prototype suppose be used was cover here too.
http://www.stadsstuff.com/?p=6499
WOW! That’s a nice one.
Made silicone rubber molds of the Marx 54mm pirates 20 odd years ago and offered lead castings of them at the time. Don’t have the molds anymore, but could make new ones.
Here you go re Marx pirates:
http://marxwildwest.com/pirates.html
and the not painted version of pirates 13 poses of which only captain was release by Glencoe reissued were also post here too.
Too bad these poses set had not come reissue,they would had bee a great sale considering amount poses,thematic and true 54 mm scale plus great artist sculpture as well.They match blend with Ideal 54 mm 6 poses that looks to me come from same artist hand too.
http://www.stadsstuff.com/?p=6459
best..
Don’t really collect pirates, mainly because my display cases are pretty much full. I have Barzso pirates that I use as CSA irregulars and also miners. If I ever could get a complete Marx pirates playset, I’d buy a new cabinet for it. I would put together a super set with MPC, Ideal and Barzso. Of course this is pure fantasy and I’d need a Lotto win to fund all this! 🙂
I bet we all do a LOTTO by way prices are going now..LOL
I know. Quality Marx playsets are NOT cheap. I paid for my daughter’s wedding (9/2013) by selling off a large chunk of my MIB Marx playset collection. Some stuff I’ll never have again, but it was worth it to see the kids happy.
Andy that was a awesome act and gesture,i would had done same if in your position.Mine is young still ,so i guess i will have to wait x that if need too.
Hope prices do not go too low too as at this point in my opinion the prices are getting to an inflation mark. .While in meaning of not offense to any here please as i’m younger generation .
To when i get my old age and pretty and much more along among collectors i will think the prices and interest in all 50s/60s vintage will fall down a lot as not many buyers.Regardless i do not think as investment at all as most us here are but as personal like .
I will probably by time i died have a landfill bulldozer over my burial with piles of plastic figures or they will end in trash..but i will pass happy as i had enjoyed then most …
Just a personal view please ..
best..
Nah Erwin, you can always sell a kidney.
As a side note , a good number of the resin figures Conte did as bonus figures in his Alamo sets, are really somewhat altered pirates and inserted as Alamo defenders. Some of them still look more or less like pirates, of course in the last Alamo movie Santa Ana referred to all the defenders as pirates. Pretty tough to find them these days though.
I was able to pick up some of their resin Alamo figures and noticed they’d go well in a Battle of New Orleans scenario – I wondered about that. It’s kind of like the Roger’s Rangers and Spencer Tracy Alamo defenders – or the Mel Gibson guy with the cowboy hat stuck on his back (I checked the roster of defenders and couldn’t find a “Benjamin Martin” anywhere). Oh well, ol’ Louis Marx was pretty good with maximizing his molds, too – so…
Well considering out of the 33 or 32 Alamo defenders Conte made about 15 that didn’t belong in that era why not carry it over to the resin figures too? He had Rebs, Patriot figures, 24th foot, Rogers Rangers and I think those NOG’s were really from the Mexican War, no revolvers at the Alamo although they would have wished there were , so why not resin pirates too? Had he done this in the 50’s we would have called him a shrewd business man, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries we cry cheater. What a difference 50 years makes.
So true Ed, I never faulted him for making the most of what he had; Louis would have been proud. But face it, so many of Rick’s customers were Louis’ little boys grown up and more sophisticated.
Yeah, when we were kids accuracy wasn’t too important, a small thing like revolvers at the Alamo didn’t bother us because frankly we didn’t know any better and if we did we didn’t care anyway.
Sometimes, I think people boast their way into alienation, especially if you harp on things like accuracy and block out and how your figures and sets are far superior people expect you to back that up. When you promise the world and only deliver South America people take notice. I remember his prototypes of the pirate ship and the Norman castle and all the future sets he advertised in his early brochures. I’m still waiting on the Persians.