There’s an oft used saying that we all know, “The devil is in the details”. It’s a great saying and applying it to collectibles is very appropriate. Take this Kenner ALIEN toy mounted on the red insert card currently being offered for sale on an eBay auction. Looks like a great item. You’ll need to be more attentive here. I can tell you why. The hierarchy of desirability with these old toys is simple. Samples in unopened pristine condition are rare and highly valuable; while opened samples with the toy still attached to the red insert card are pretty close to being next. This sample is being sole by the vendor and touted with this claim. It’s for sale with the understanding, ” it was never removed from the carboard (sic)” as noted by the seller. The problem here is simple. This item actually has been removed from the card.

While it’s true this toy is fastened in place with plastic coated wire core twist ties, these are not the same ones used by Kenner when these toys were new. Originally, this toy would have been secured by ratcheted ladder ties (lacking a wire insert) which were standard across Kenner’s entire production of this toy. Ties like the ones present on this sample have been added at a later by a third party. They simply aren’t original ties. This toy has been removed from its box and then refastened. Any claim it’s never been removed are false.

That’s not to fault the current seller. As far as he’s concerned, they probably are original; but this is not the case. I assure you. Mind you, the seller claims he’s had this toy in its box for twenty five years. Now, that’s a good innings indeed to own one of these, boxed. The problem is simple. These toys are now forty two years old so for much of the first two decades of its existence, this sample has an unknown history. It looks as though during these early years, it may have been refastened and returned to its box. Here’s what Kenner’s original 1979 ties look like.

So is it worth a starting bid of US$1,500? Maybe not. It falls outside the claims being made by the seller, for sure; but there is a nice concession to be considered here. Being fastened back in place means the toy has been protected with minimum wear to its joints and other features being a of benefit. Its handling is only restricted to those years prior to being refastened in place. It looks like a great item with minimum handling due to the fact its been safely stowed. Or, as it is in reality, returned to its proper place in the world. Refastened. Inside its box.

-Windebieste.