Hi, this is my first post. I thought I would post to this topic since it is the most relevant for me...I have been a member of UMA and reading for about 6 months. I know some of you from the collecting world, and from Ebay. I have been among the most avid Azrak Hamway monster collectors on Ebay since I joined in 1997, the very first thing I searched was Azrak/AHI Super Monster figures. I had, however, collected and maintained a near perfect (although not carded-c'mon, back then??), complete collection since I was 8 years old in 1973, but have added and upgraded on Ebay ever since, I don't think there has been AHI auction of consequence I was not involved with one way or another. The Creature has always been my favorite, hence my handle and avatar, but I have them all, and I am always looking.
I am looking forward to sharing photos and stories of collecting AHI monsters, as well as all the other great monster collectibles from those magic days as a monster kid (a term coined by Ray which I borrow with pride) in the late 60s, early 70s. (Please do not misperceive me as an AHI snob, I love and collect almost all monster toys, especially jigglers.)
I would like to share my first photo, to test my posting capability, and to inspire comments, questions, discussion and perhaps establish a bit of "street cred" as a guy who would dare to call himself AHI CREATURE on this forum which is beyond doubt the most elite venue in all of cyberspace and planet Earth for the astute monster collector. I humbly request permission to come aboard. Looking forward to some fun monster discussions.
(http://gibsonpix.smugmug.com/photos/635336683_Mdiyk-XL.jpg)
Awesome! I never saw that little creature before! I love the jigglers! Post all your jiggler pics! Please!!! I'm waiting for the Jigglers to make a comeback!!!
Cool. Welcome here and thank you for posting. Really looking forward to your first hand knowledge on as I too really love the Creature and the toys AHI produced, and was a little young (2 at the time) so missed 'em in the stores.
Welcome to the group! Nice collection of AHI's. You need the squirtgun to complete your Creature AHI Colletion!
BK
You've found the place to talk AHI, that's for sure. Nice Creatures! Welcome to the group.
Welcome and cool collection.
I'm looking to replace my AHI Frankenstein type A I had as a kid. I do not know much about them (other than I wore my Frank out back then) but I am looking forward to learning new things about AHI at the best place to do so, the UMA.
BTW, whats a good price range for a AHI Frankenstein type A? Are they hard to come across? I have not seen any on eBay the past couple weeks.
Thanks UMA and again welcome AHI Creature.
AHI Creature, I'm afraid I must collect YOU! Yes, my AHI collection will not be complete until I own the most hardcore AHI collector of them all. How can I call myself an AHI collector and not own someone who calls himself AHI Creature? Prepare to be acquired, studied and preserved, my friend.
(By the way, I must point out that the term "monster kid" was originally used by David Colton aka taraco. Read his essay, "The Monster Kids," on my site. http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/mnstrkds.html (http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/mnstrkds.html))
Quote from: BaronLatos35 on August 31, 2009, 09:12:08 AM
Welcome and cool collection.
I'm looking to replace my AHI Frankenstein type A I had as a kid. I do not know much about them (other than I wore my Frank out back then) but I am looking forward to learning new things about AHI at the best place to do so, the UMA.
BTW, whats a good price range for a AHI Frankenstein type A? Are they hard to come across? I have not seen any on eBay the past couple weeks.
Thanks UMA and again welcome AHI Creature.
Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome and kind words...it looks like I got your attention, but I may have overdone it. I do love and collect all AHI Super Monster figures, and I have mindlessly accumulated multiples of some of them for nothing more than the satisfaction of refreshing and hyperventilating while watching an Ebay auction end. HOWEVER, once you start talking about the Type A this and B that on these figures I give up. I will defer to the experts, you know who you are, and I do not have any need or driving desire to collect all 47 versions of the Frankenstein with green or flesh colored hands and soccer shoes vs construction boots etc. I might also lose some credibility by admitting I am not a collector of full display cases of $2500 squirt guns...so, I would like to reinstate myself as a fairly regular guy, with a complete collection of AHI Super Monster figures, minus some of the variations. I will post a photo of my display case full of them later. I would also be happy to provide the service of posting of providing clear close up photos of any of my figures for everyone, maybe a link to a gallery of them if you would all enjoy it. carry on....
The type A listing I saw in a photo gallery online. I don't know what it means either. I just remember that version was the one I had as a kid.
Are AHI monsters fairly common on eBay? Haven't seen many recently. Whats a going rate for a Frank?
Quote from: AHI Creature on August 31, 2009, 10:48:11 AM
Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome and kind words...it looks like I got your attention, but I may have overdone it. I do love and collect all AHI Super Monster figures, and I have mindlessly accumulated multiples of some of them for nothing more than the satisfaction of refreshing and hyperventilating while watching an Ebay auction end. HOWEVER, once you start talking about the Type A this and B that on these figures I give up. I will defer to the experts, you know who you are, and I do not have any need or driving desire to collect all 47 versions of the Frankenstein with green or flesh colored hands and soccer shoes vs construction boots etc. I might also lose some credibility by admitting I am not a collector of full display cases of $2500 squirt guns...so, I would like to reinstate myself as a fairly regular guy, with a complete collection of AHI Super Monster figures, minus some of the variations. I will post a photo of my display case full of them later. I would also be happy to provide the service of posting of providing clear close up photos of any of my figures for everyone, maybe a link to a gallery of them if you would all enjoy it. carry on....
Whether modest or extravagant, beginning collector or advanced, everyone is welcome and input appreciated. Some of my favorite collections around here have more in the way of passion than quantity. We're not about trying to out-do one another, but rather all enjoy our collections and those of our UMA monster collecting friends. Welcome!
Quote from: BaronLatos35 on August 31, 2009, 11:33:58 AM
The type A listing I saw in a photo gallery online. I don't know what it means either. I just remember that version was the one I had as a kid.
Are AHI monsters fairly common on eBay? Haven't seen many recently. Whats a going rate for a Frank?
At any given time there are usually at least a few AHI figures listed., but rarely more than 5 or 6, I would say the Frankenstein 8" figure is one of the easiest to get, it comes up at least 2-3 times a month, and you can get a nice one easily in the $30-50 range....I saw a couple carded ones recently (on fairly banged up cards) but they were not much over $100? maybe $150?
The Creature figures, esp. the 8" figures, are easily the most sought after, it would be scary but interesting to see what a carded 8" male or female version would go for, I am sure it would be over $2,500...(any estimates, Ray, toy Ranch?) the other very rare and coveted AHI figure is the 5" Mummy bendie, (AKA bend 'ems) which I can share some insights on, for anyone interested.
Welcome aboard, AHI CREATURE. It is always great to have new firneds here.
As for my old friend, Ray Castile...
AHI Creature, I'm afraid I must collect YOU! Yes, my AHI collection will not be complete until I own the most hardcore AHI collector of them all. How can I call myself an AHI collector and not own someone who calls himself AHI Creature? Prepare to be acquired, studied and preserved, my friend."
THIS was one of ther funniest things I ever read on here. I almost fell off my chair, laughing.
You are CRAZY!
(in a good way)
Great first post, AHI Creature. This place is just wonderful and it is great to have you aboard.
Ray, I spit out my drink when I read your post. :D :D :D Hilarious! ;D
When I was a kid, I remember deciding that my next toy purchase would be some sort of creature. I actually chose the bendy over it's 8" counterpart because I liked it better.
I always loved that AHI Creature bendy. It was small enough that I could put it in my pocket. Man, I took that little guy everywhere with me.
Quote from: gracebuster on August 31, 2009, 12:02:25 PM
Welcome aboard, AHI CREATURE. It is always great to have new firneds here.
As for my old friend, Ray Castile...
AHI Creature, I'm afraid I must collect YOU! Yes, my AHI collection will not be complete until I own the most hardcore AHI collector of them all. How can I call myself an AHI collector and not own someone who calls himself AHI Creature? Prepare to be acquired, studied and preserved, my friend."
THIS was one of ther funniest things I ever read on here. I almost fell off my chair, laughing.
You are CRAZY!
(in a good way)
yeah, that was pretty funny...it made me imagine an acrylic diplay case with a bunch of little bendies, jigglers and action figure monsters in it, then right next to it a big sort of aquarium with a 230 lb, 40 something guy in it, maybe held upright by a giant metal stand under his armpits made out of a tent frame....maybe an elastic cord out of his head with a tag on it...posted under SHOW US YOUR MONSTER ROOMS!
Quote from: AHI Creature on August 31, 2009, 11:59:06 AM
The Creature figures, esp. the 8" figures, are easily the most sought after, it would be scary but interesting to see what a carded 8" male or female version would go for . .
About 5 years ago, a carded (nice card) AHI male Creature went for 5K+, on ebay. A year before that, a carded female went for 1K+. Anybody know of any more recent ones?
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 31, 2009, 02:39:09 PM
About 5 years ago, a carded (nice card) AHI male Creature went for 5K+, on ebay. A year before that, a carded female went for 1K+. Anybody know of any more recent ones?
WOW! I missed those, maybe I am not the authority I thought I was...OK, then, lets see if anyone remembers this: in either 1998 or 99, a full set of carded AHI bend 'ems (bendies) showed up on ebay I was pretty broke at the time and might have bid a few hundred bucks. The auction went over $8,000 and I emailed the guy through Ebay to congratulate him, he said he had been totally scammed somehow, and the sale never took place....someone here must have been involved or at least know the story. I gather one of the moderators here (fmompls?) has a full set of those guys carded as I see the photo credit on Rays monster gallery photos of them...anyway, does anyone know the story of those carded bend ems?
Quote from: AHI Creature on August 31, 2009, 11:59:06 AM
The Creature figures, esp. the 8" figures, are easily the most sought after, it would be scary but interesting to see what a carded 8" male or female version would go for, I am sure it would be over $2,500...(any estimates, Ray, toy Ranch?) the other very rare and coveted AHI figure is the 5" Mummy bendie, (AKA bend 'ems) which I can share some insights on, for anyone interested.
The last carded 1st version (thin waist) via ebay at around 3K (Dec '06?), the last 2nd version was offered to me for 7k off of ebay (a closed auction due to so many private bids). The one before that was 8K.
Speaking on the thin waist as first version and the wide waist as second, you were there at the time. Which did you see and get first?
Do tell about the Mummy. I think it's pretty wild how that one has outstripped the others in price over the last five years. I used to see them much more.
Quote from: gracebuster on August 31, 2009, 12:02:25 PM
AHI Creature, I'm afraid I must collect YOU!
I must reveal my sources. I was thinking of Murder Legendre saying, "I have taken a fancy to YOU!"
Now I will give a proper welcome to AHI Creature! Welcome!
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on August 31, 2009, 04:36:23 PM
The last carded 1st version (thin waist) via ebay at around 3K (Dec '06?)
Yoiks! I hate that kind of inflation! Tripled in a couple of years!
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on August 31, 2009, 04:36:23 PM
The one before that was 8K.
Was that the 5K one being resold and wasn't it sealed in a CGC box?
Monster Bob had the carded Bend 'Ems, and I also contacted him right after the auction to congratulate him. And he told me the same story about being scammed. He's mentioned it here before. I think I bid around $1,500 or so in that auction, knowing I didn't stand a chance.
Back then, I'm not sure I had any carded Bend 'Ems. Now the only two I don't have on cards are Creetch and Mummy. My favorite is the Mummy. Even when I was a kid, Mummy was my favorite Bend 'Em. I still have my childhood Bend 'Ems. In fact, all my loose Bend 'Ems are childhood ones. I've never bought a loose Bend 'Em as an adult.
I remember the last carded male Creature auction. It finished over $8K. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but I thought it would go for more! I thought it would hit $10K.
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 31, 2009, 05:59:03 PM
Was that the 5K one being resold and wasn't it sealed in a CGC box?
I don't know what CGC is. The $8K one I'm thinking of was on a standard, sealed AHI card.
Quote from: raycastile on August 31, 2009, 05:59:43 PM
I remember the last carded male Creature auction. It finished over $8K. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but I thought it would go for more! I thought it would hit $10K.
Now I remember that auction, 'cause I remember you saying that back then, too.
Quote from: raycastile on August 31, 2009, 06:00:52 PM
I don't know what CGC is.
The comic book grading people who slab everything. Anyway, I have this image (in my head) of a carded male in a clear plastic box. Maybe somebody just bought a collectibles box and put in in there?
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 31, 2009, 06:13:06 PM
The comic book grading people who slab everything. Anyway, I have this image (in my head) of a carded male in a clear plastic box. Maybe somebody just bought a collectibles box and put in in there?
Mine are in clear plastic boxes. Maybe you are thinking of UMA photos from Wonderfest or Monster Bash.
Quote from: raycastile on August 31, 2009, 10:12:02 PM
Maybe you are thinking of UMA photos from Wonderfest or Monster Bash.
Could be?
Lets see your Jiggler pics! I love the jigglers!!
Quote from: AHI Creature on August 31, 2009, 02:22:38 PM
yeah, that was pretty funny...it made me imagine an acrylic diplay case with a bunch of little bendies, jigglers and action figure monsters in it, then right next to it a big sort of aquarium with a 230 lb, 40 something guy in it, maybe held upright by a giant metal stand under his armpits made out of a tent frame....maybe an elastic cord out of his head with a tag on it...posted under SHOW US YOUR MONSTER ROOMS!
Quote from: Mike Scott on August 31, 2009, 05:56:07 PM
Yoiks! I hate that kind of inflation! Tripled in a couple of years!
You and me both, but mainly 'cause I don't have one. >:( They have sold for more, of course, but the wide waist is the more in demand of the two (even though it is also the more common of the two).