Today’s 1979 Kenner ALIEN toy for sale on eBay is in a condition that is very commonly found. 40 years have passed and these things are appearing on the online service regularly.  Almost on a daily basis, you might say.  Quality can range from immaculate figures in an unopened boxes right down to individual parts for sale extracted from stripped down figures.  This one is in ‘average’ condition.  Let’s take a look at what this means.

For US$225 let’s see what you get for this four decades old ugly toy.  Firstly, he is incomplete.  That’s the most important consideration here, otherwise this Kenner ALIEN toy is in reasonably good condition. First, let’s see what is absent from this figure as those missing components and parts will aid in determining its ‘average’ status.

Typically, the dome covering the upper surface of the head is missing here.  That feature alone can add an easy US$100 to the value of the figure.  These are astray from most figures, now.  I estimate about 80-90% of Kenner ALIEN toys are lacking this item.  Another frequently missing feature is the upper dorsal crest/spike/thingy on the back between the shoulders; and this sample is lacking that feature as well.  The rate of those dorsal pieces missing is also high.  I estimate around 60-80% of samples extant today lack this feature. Had both those pieces (Dome and Crest) been present, a price tag of US$300 on this item wouldn’t be out of the question. Another commonly missing piece – or pieces – are the two halves that comprise the tongue which is normally seated inside the mouth.  Both of these pieces are missing.  Sometimes it’s either the upper or lower half that’s absent but an estimated 40-60% of these old toys are missing one or both of these pieces.  This sample is missing both halves.

Missing these pieces is going to down grade the value of the figure.  Mind you, these components are frequently missing.  What it does have in its favour is the general good state the rest of the figure is in.  It’s not perfect.  There’s some scuff marks on the glow in the dark paint of its face and the characteristic damage to the slot in its back where the dorsal crest mentioned above has broken free are present.   These are common abuses featured on these toys.  You’ll find many figures with this damage. Other than those issues, the rest of the figure is good. Very good, actually.

This sample is clean, only displaying some light dust, and that is easily cleaned.  The tail is connected and its tip is present and unbroken.  As are all of the twelve fingers on both hands.  The figure is obviously free standing without leaning on a wall or propped up in any other way – so the hip joints are good.  The hands themselves are not listing on the thighs and are holding a pose.  This is good, too. Even the teeth affixed to the jaws appear to be relatively unchipped or otherwise undamaged.  There are a lot of good features present on this sample.  While it’s true the arms and hips may have been repaired, those actions will be welcome where it is needed, anyway.  Repairs are part of the ongoing preservation of these old, toys; especially upgrading slowly decaying parts that cannot be replaced any other way.

Despite the lack of the four commonly missing critical parts, the rest of the figure appears to be good.  As figures in this condition are relatively common and appear on eBay frequently, they can be considered to be average condition.  Of course there are more complete figures on the market – but there are items in a lot worse state than this for sale, too.  As figures in this condition are extremely common, they have become my benchmark for what defines a middle ground for evaluating these vintage toys. Thus, it is in average condition.

The big question, though; is it worth US$225?  Of course this is never an easy one to answer.  People will pay all kinds of money to own one of these things, often in the belief they are purchasing something rare.  Which they are not.  Nonetheless, at US$225, it will most likely sell.  It’s about US$100 above what is acceptable for these things – but then we have to define what ‘acceptable’ is; and that definition will vary from one individual to the next.

Especially to the person who eventually purchases this item.

-Windebieste.