Universal Monster Army

Collecting Monsters => Vintage Monster Toys => Topic started by: Monsters For Sale on August 27, 2009, 09:24:25 AM

Title: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Monsters For Sale on August 27, 2009, 09:24:25 AM

Maybe it is just a mystery to me, but I am puzzled by an item that ended on eBay last night.

It seems too large to be used a a bubble pipe for a kid small enough to want to use it (UMA monsterkids excepted).  The bowl is 5 inches high.

The way the stem tapers at the mouthpiece suggests that it might have been inserted into a larger, outdoor display figure's mouth.

I have never seen another like it on eBay on in anyone's pictures of their monster rooms.

Several collectors on eBay were convinced that this was something worth bidding on.

C'mon, all you experts out there.  What is the history of this thing???

http://tinyurl.com/muf3ev (http://tinyurl.com/muf3ev)




Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: roheimiana on August 27, 2009, 11:29:39 AM
We had a long discussion of this item back in January:

http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=3119.0 (http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=3119.0)

I've been following the auction which just ended and wishing that eBay still allowed us to see the names of bidders because I bet that most of them belong to the UMA. ;D

Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Monsters For Sale on August 27, 2009, 12:17:30 PM

THANKS!

I missed that entirely.  I don't get to read as many of the threads here as I would like.  There just isn't enough time in the day.

Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: darkmonkeygod on August 27, 2009, 02:31:50 PM
Quote from: roheimiana on August 27, 2009, 11:29:39 AM
I've been following the auction which just ended and wishing that eBay still allowed us to see the names of bidders because I bet that most of them belong to the UMA. ;D

You can still see what who won if you search via user name (and many of us have given ours out on here repeatedly). The names also show up in feedback if it is left. It was a UMA member who got the pipe, and congrats to 'em! I'll let them show us when they get it if they will, rather than out them, as I'd want the same courtesy.  Bet we'll see some coll pics of it when it makes it's way through the mail, though. Thanks for posting the link, I didn't see the auction either.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Dr Borgo on August 28, 2009, 07:46:44 PM
Does it have fangs  :-\ or is that just the way it looks in the pics?
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Dr.Terror on August 28, 2009, 10:28:37 PM
Quote from: Dr Borgo on August 28, 2009, 07:46:44 PM
Does it have fangs  :-\ or is that just the way it looks in the pics?

Fangs and bug eyes.    Seems like a bit much for a generic Hallowe'een toy, regardless of how rare it is.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on August 28, 2009, 11:15:14 PM
Quote from: Dr.Terror on August 28, 2009, 10:28:37 PM
Fangs and bug eyes.    Seems like a bit much for a generic Hallowe'een toy, regardless of how rare it is.

I agree.  Whoever paid $355 for that generic hunk of baby blue plastic is a dangerously psychotic character with a slippery grasp of reality.  I would be very, very careful around this individual.  cl:)
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: darkmonkeygod on August 29, 2009, 01:40:12 AM
Quote from: raycastile on August 28, 2009, 11:15:14 PM
I agree.  Whoever paid $355 for that generic hunk of baby blue plastic is a dangerously psychotic character with a slippery grasp of reality.  I would be very, very careful around this individual. 

:D :D :D Uh oh... We should put out an APB for 'em. If only we knew who or, shudder, WHAT we were looking for. Collectorus Monsterous is a most dangerous breed indeed.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: poseablemonster on August 29, 2009, 12:08:56 PM
Yes, I wouldn't want to cross paths with this character.  Dangerous is an understatement!  And what is he planning to do with this pipe? 
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Toy Ranch on August 29, 2009, 03:50:32 PM
It looks like there's some orange showing through the blue, and that it might have been painted, but hard to tell.

Congrats to the buyer.

As far as it's value, I think we've established that blow molded toys are valued much more by some than by others.  Seems cheap to me.  If I had collection $ to spend right now,  it would have gone for more.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Monster Bob on August 29, 2009, 09:16:06 PM


The mystery to me is how someone thought this one would work:


Question from members

'Q:  Hi, would yu be willing to let this go early via BUY IT NOW? B'day present for my son and need it ASAP!! Am reliable -- check my feedback. Thanks. Aug-20-09
A:   sorry. i cant end this early. '




Wants it 'for his son'...LOL
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on August 29, 2009, 09:39:56 PM
Ha!   I didn't even see that question box until just now.  Good show to the seller for not ending it early.  And boo/hiss to whoever asked that question.


Quote from: Monster Bob on August 29, 2009, 09:16:06 PM

The mystery to me is how someone thought this one would work:


Question from members

'Q:  Hi, would yu be willing to let this go early via BUY IT NOW? B'day present for my son and need it ASAP!! Am reliable -- check my feedback. Thanks. Aug-20-09
A:   sorry. i cant end this early. '




Wants it 'for his son'...LOL

Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: NekroDave on August 29, 2009, 11:48:02 PM
I don't mind anyone asking the question (I believe we've discussed this before), but who does he think he's kidding with that "it's for my son" non-sense? Either admit you're just an aggressive collector or don't offer any reason at all. "Do you have a BIN price?"  is all you need to ask. Leave it at that. It's quick, to the point and no BS. Don't disrespect the seller by making stuff up.

Anyway, congrats to the winner. I was looking at this myself but once it went over $100, I figured someone else wanted it more than me. Glad it's going to a good home.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on August 30, 2009, 12:05:57 AM
Quote from: Toy Ranch on August 29, 2009, 03:50:32 PM
It looks like there's some orange showing through the blue, and that it might have been painted, but hard to tell.



Pretty much impossible to tell looking at the pictures, even zooming in.  But the discoloration on the interior looks like dried bubble solution.  I do believe that is what this pipe was for – blowing bubbles.

It's a nice blue color, whatever the origin.  A green one would also look very nice, if someone were to get a green one.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: darkmonkeygod on August 30, 2009, 03:00:48 AM
Quote from: raycastile on August 30, 2009, 12:05:57 AM

Pretty much impossible to tell looking at the pictures, even zooming in.  But the discoloration on the interior looks like dried bubble solution.  I do believe that is what this pipe was for – blowing bubbles.

It's a nice blue color, whatever the origin.  A green one would also look very nice, if someone were to get a green one.

What colors have been found? I've seen only four ever from this line: another blue Frank, an orange or red one, and the green Drac. Anyone else seen or have these or other colors (or characters, just to dream)?
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on August 30, 2009, 10:57:56 AM
Not sure, but...there might be a green one somewhere...
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: GAKENSTEIN on August 30, 2009, 04:58:30 PM
QuoteWants it 'for his son'...LOL

Hey, MonsterBob, don't knock it.  I tried this before and got the Frankenstein Head Halloween Bucket for 35 bucks.  LOL indeed!
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on August 30, 2009, 05:01:36 PM
Quote from: GAKENSTEIN on August 30, 2009, 04:58:30 PM
Hey, MonsterBob, don't knock it.  I tried this before and got the Frankenstein Head Halloween Bucket for 35 bucks.  LOL indeed!

Thanks for sharing that with us.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: GAKENSTEIN on August 30, 2009, 10:21:09 PM
Welcome.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on September 05, 2009, 05:08:43 AM
While vacationing in Vasaria for the Labor Day weekend, I had the rare opportunity to closely examine the fabled Frankenstein pipe.  I noticed some moldy, powdery something-or-other inside, so I decided to wash it out.  Whoops!  Like Gremlins, you cannot get these things wet.  If you do, this is what happens:


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipes1.jpg)


Now that there are two, will they breed?  If we allow these things to reproduce freely, their rarity will be compromised.  Their value will diminish.  People will start drinking Kool-Aid out of them.  Perhaps they can be bred selectively to produce rainbow-colored variations.  These can be sold to elite clientele.  The money can then be used to finance further monster pipe research.  What we don't know about these pipes far exceeds what we do know.


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipes2.jpg)


They are getting a little too cozy.  I better separate them.

Having closely examined the blue specimen that was auctioned on ebay, I can tell you there is no paint on him.  He is molded in blue plastic.  He has a very pleasant, blow-molded scent.  It reminds me of the blow-molded bowling set I had as a kid.  It's that funny plastic smell that only blow-molded toys have.

Now here are a few too many photos of the blue pipe.


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipeblue1.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipeblue2.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipeblue3.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipeblue4.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipeblue5.jpg)


I hope you enjoyed one or two of those.  The rest, I hope you detested. 

Now here are far too many photos of the green pipe.


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipegreen1.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipegreen2.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipegreen3.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipegreen5.jpg)



You probably need a break about now.  This thread will wait while you refresh yourself.



Are you back?  Good.  Now here are even more photos of these silly pipes.


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipes3.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipes5.jpg)

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankpipes4.jpg)



If you think you're wasting precious time reading this thread, imagine how much time I wasted taking these pictures.



Well, that brings us to the end of our examination.  As you can see, these are Frankenstein pipes.  Pretty self-explanatory.



Ah wait, I have one more thing for those who made it to the end of this post.


(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/msc/frankblowmolds.jpg)


A nice selection of blow-molded Frankenstein toys!

If only I had the Amigos figure and that 18-inch Franky with the jointed shoulders...I would have blow-molded Frankenstein supremacy!  I could breed a race of blow-molded monsters that would conquer the world.

That is all the blow molding and pipe smoking I can handle for one morning.  Good day.

Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Toy Ranch on September 05, 2009, 12:49:57 PM
Yay, that is so very cool, Raymond!  Thanks for the great photos!
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: poseablemonster on September 05, 2009, 02:00:34 PM
I would like to nominate this post in the Rondo awards for "Most Thorough Examination of Plastic Blow-Molded Frankenstein Toys - pipe sub-category".   ;D  Most excellent, as always.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Getter_1 on September 05, 2009, 02:02:58 PM
I was really dissapointed that there were no pictures of the inside of the pipe!

:P

Pretty cool.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: Nicole on September 05, 2009, 11:44:29 PM
Quote from: Getter_1 on September 05, 2009, 02:02:58 PM
I was really dissapointed that there were no pictures of the inside of the pipe!

:P

No pictures of the inside or the bottom of the pipe. Ray must be slipping a bit in his old age.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: fmofmpls on September 08, 2009, 07:23:24 AM
This thread blows big time! A highly coveted piece of rare plastic now overexposed for the entire world to grow weary of. I want my money back. You not only conquered, but you raped and exploited the virgin rarity of this item in front of the entire army. And now I am left feeling dirty and cheap. The mystery is gone, and I now need a bath.
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: raycastile on September 08, 2009, 10:18:08 AM
Yes, I have not only opened and emptied Al Capone's vault, I have scrubbed it out with bleach.


Thank you everyone for your comments and compliments!
Title: Re: MYSTERY FRANKENSTEIN PIPE
Post by: darkmonkeygod on September 09, 2009, 12:05:23 AM
If this is a cleaning, bring out the bleach way more often. Super cool to see these, thanks as always!