April - June 2007

Raiders of the Lost Toys Relocates
Message posted June 29, 2007

Raiders of the Lost Toys now has its own domain location at www.raidersofthelosttoys.com. The site also has an Indiana Jones collecting forum at forum.raidersofthelosttoys.com. With Indy IV now currently filming and a slew of collectibles on the horizon, this is a good place to talk memorabilia.

Collection Update; Indiana Jones - Loose Temple of Doom Figure
Message posted June 24, 2007

I recently found a loose Indiana Jones figure from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on eBay for less than $20. I've seen this figure sell mint on card for more than $400. In my opinion even a loose figure for under $20 is a great deal. The figure is in fantastic condition and has all of its original accessories.

Indiana Jones 4 License Partners Announced
Message posted June 18, 2007

Coming Soon has posted a report of the Indiana Jones 4 license partners. This is great news! I was skeptical about an action figure line from Hasbro but I'm glad I was wrong. I also like that there will be fast food tie-ins and Hallmark ornaments. These have all been things I've posted as Wish List items.

Collector's Flashback; Raiders of the Lost Ark Action Figure Commercial
Message posted June 14, 2007

Back in July 2006 I posted a link to a vintage Kenner toy commercial for the Indiana Jones 12" action figure. Well, I found another one on You Tube.

This vintage Indiana Jones ad is for the original Raiders of the Lost Ark 3 3/4" action figure line. The music in the commercial must be stock music. I love it!

Collector's Flashback is a regular feature at I Hate Snakes. If you have images of vintage Indiana Jones toy or product advertisements from older catalogs, magazines or newspapers please send them to me along with your name and as much information about the publication as possible, such as name of publication, date, etc., I will credit you with the photo submission and information. Old ads of games, toys and collectibles are always interesting to revisit.

Collection Update; Staff of Ra Headpiece Resin Model Kit
Message posted June 2, 2007

I recently acquired this Staff of Ra Headpiece resin model kit from an individual but I'm unsure of its origin.

The person (a huge Indiana Jones collector) I bought it from said it is a licensed product from another country. However, there is no copyright or manufacturer information on the label. Not to mention the label looks like it was printed off someone's computer and slapped on a styrofoam box. If anyone is familiar with this item I'd like a second opinion on it. Is this a licensed Indiana Jones product? If so, where was it released and when and what company made it?

Mezco Up for an Indiana Jones License?
Message posted May 22, 2007

The July 2007 issue of Toy Shop magazine has an interview with Mike Markowitz, founder of Mezco, and one of his answers to a question is interesting to Indiana Jones fans.

"TS (Toy Shop): What's your dream license?

Mez: I've been lucky to work on a few. As for brands or properties that I haven't done - Batman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Doc Savage, the Spider and the Shadow...to name a few."

The interest is certainly there at Mezco, but are they a contender for an Indiana Jones license? Only time will tell. The company has a wave of figures coming out this year based on The Goonies so maybe that Spielberg property is a precursor of what is to come. Be sure to pick up the July 2007 issue of Toy Shop to read the entire interview.

Collection Update; The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Adventure Knife
Message posted May 17, 2007

I recently acquired The Young Indiana Jones Adventure Knife to my collection. This was something I remember seeing it in the Lucasfilm fan club magazine back in the early 1990s when the show was running on television but never bought it. This is an item that fits well with the style and content of the TV show.

Collection Update; Temple of Doom Party Paper Plates and Napkins
Message posted May 10, 2007

When I attended the recent Chicago Toy Show I was able to pick up Temple of Doom paper plates and napkins that are still sealed. Hopefully Indy IV will have quirky merchandise like this in addition to the usual staples of toys and statues.

Collection Update; Indiana Jones in German Uniform - Loose
Message posted April 29, 2007

When I attended the recent Chicago Toy Show I was able to pick up the Indiana Jones in German uniform action figure loose, complete and in fantastic condition. I also got it for a great price. I now have this action figure loose and MOC.

Lon Mills and the Chicago Toy Show
Message posted April 25, 2007

On Sunday, April 22, I attended the Chicago Toy Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, Ill.

I've been wanting to attend this show for a couple of years now but haven't been able to make it. If you collect toys of any kind I recommend visiting this show. Dealers with stocks of vintage toys ranging from old to sort of old and not so old are scatter about in several buildings on the fairgrounds.

The Indiana Jones items I acquired include sealed Temple of Doom party plates and napkins and a loose, mint Indiana Jones in German Uniform figure complete with bazooka. I was able to successfully haggle on prices so I didn't pay what the dealers were asking. It's a great venue to get great deals. I'll post pictures of the new items to my collection soon.

I overheard one of the dealers talking and he said the show is about 1/3 of what is used to be. Since I don't have a frame of reference I can't compare. He said that all of the buildings on the fairgrounds would be occupied by toy dealers. There were certainly enough dealers for a few hours of browsing and haggling with what was there.

In other news, I also collect Simpsons Treehouse of Horror items and Superman Christmas ornaments. I didn't purchase anything in those categories. Although I did see some Simpsons Treehouse of Horror playsets but I wanted to stay within a certain budget and passed on them.

I also had a spot reserved on one of my home office walls for the Jaws 3-D Movie Poster and found a dealer with it brand new. I got a great price for it so I couldn't pass it up.

I also have a couple of shelves in my home office with Superman items I think are cool and I'm always looking for something to display. I also purchased two of the Superman: The Movie glasses that were produced by Pepsi. I had this set when I was younger but they all broke and I've been wanting to replace them to go along with the Superman: The Movie puzzle and lunchbox and thermos, which survived my childhood, sitting on my shelf. I think there were six total in the set so I have four to go.

The next Chicago Toy Show is in October so hopefully I'll have the chance to return to soak in the sea of toys.

Collection Update; Young Indiana Jones Trading Card Binder
Message posted April 19, 2007

I recently acquired the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles trading card binder to hold the Young Indiana Jones trading card set. It certainly makes displaying the card set more interesting.

Wish List; Master Replicas' Scene Replica
Message posted April 8, 2007

At this year's Toy Fair a new line collectibles was introduced by Master Replicas.

The high-end collectibles company unveiled its Scene Replicas and, in my opinion, this would make a great Indiana Jones collectible if the company were to secure the license to the franchise.

An example of The Little Mermaid shows replicas of production art and a depiction of a scene from that film.

My favorite scene, and still image, from the Indiana Jones series has always been Indiana Jones outrunning the giant boulder. This scene sums up what to expect from all of the films. Raiders of the Lost Ark has many pre-production sketches that could be included as the "left side" of the replica and the scene in the photo I've posted as the "right side."

With the fourth film cruising toward its production start this June, a new line of fresh, and different, collectibles is sure to be released. I hope this is one of them.