Post by michaelc on Apr 8, 2016 21:08:14 GMT -5
The History of LJN Figures (Part 1 - from 1997 presented unedited and unrevised!)
A WALK THROUGH THE PLASTIC FOREST
The history of LJN figures through 1984-1989 mirrors the expansion and contraction of the WWF at that period of time. Professional Wrestling was introduced and accepted into homes around the world through extensive marketing and positioning of a product range that provided hours of enjoyment for kids and is now enjoying a healthy collector interest.
The first series of LJN figures was released in 1984 and these dolls commanded significant amounts of shelf space due to their size of 8-10 inches and the large blue blister cards. These Wrestling Superstars were produced by LJN toys and were made of an extremely durable type of plastic, that ensured that they would stand up to the backyard bodyslams and suplexes of young wrestling promoters. Original advertising suggested that you could bend 'em and twist'em but it would have taken the mythical strength of Hulk Hogan himself to accomplish this. Instead they were very, very sturdy figures and a more than adequate foreign object for hitting your opponent on the head. Even the paint used was durable although it wore significantly on high impact areas such as knees, butts, scalps and foreheads.
The original series saw the release of Hulk Hogan with heavyweight belt, Big John Studd, The Iron Shiek, Andre the Giant and Jimmy Snuka. The remainder of the first series consisted of Hillbilly Jim with hat, Junkyard Dog with a collar and chain and Roddy Piper with kilt followed quickly by Nikolai Volkoff with his hat. These latter four illustrate the importance of the snappy fashion accessory to the modern wrestler. Thus the set was complete. Five faces and four heels ready to do your bidding.
Of these pioneers some figures are better crafted than others. The Iron Shiek, Jimmy Snuka and particulary Nikolai Volkoff register the best likeness. Hillbilly Jim is a horrible hunk of plastic, stolid and immovable. Some critics have said that given the man from Mudlick, Kentucky's in the ring performance this was indeed the most accurate figure of the entire series. Andre the Giant sported a poorly crafted, spindly physique with the long hair that was so often a target of Studd and Ken Patera. It stands significantly taller than the other figures although getting it to stand by itself was no easy task. This problem was shared by Snuka whose bare feet provided too little contact to hold up his weight resulting in his leopard skin trunks being prone to losing chips of paint, Studd, whose massive thighs unbalanced him and Hogan himself. Hogan's overly generous head of hair was one of the contact points which probably made this figure the only in history to mirror ravages of male pattern baldness. In addition given boisterous play, Hogan, Studd and Andre's trunks often looked like the trio had had a heavy night at the all you can eat bean and taco restaurant.
The Junkyard Dog's grizzled countenance was well captured and it was a solid chunk of plastic. It and Volkoff stood their ground the best. JYD's chain was easily removed however, although the collar remains intact on most figures today. Rowdy Roddy Piper was a fairly unremarkable figure which suffered from a poor facial likeness. However it has resulted in the most sought after and valuable wrestling figure in existence: The "Panther Piper".
Initial promotional photographs often feature the product in an formative prototype stage. Various changes occur before mass production begins, generally a change of paint mix or a slight reshaping. In early photos Hillbilly was featured in a black shirt, JYD with chain but without collar and Piper in Hotrod shirt with brown boots. Piper was also featured with the famous panther shirt with brown boots. These led to a number of variations existing. The Hillbilly with black shirt seems to have never been produced but JYD featured a silver chain and a much rarer red chain. Studd features a variation on the customary brown-blonde hair which instead has brown-green or "khaki" hair. Roddy Piper was mass produced in the Hotrod shirt with red boots. A very rare variation on this sees Piper in the Hotrod shirt but with earth-brown boots. However the "Piper Panther" is the rarest of all LJN figures. I have had contact with very reputable and knowledgeable collectors who assure me that the figure exists as I had doubted its existence. It is sometimes described as the "Tiger Piper" but I believe the correct description would be that of the panther, a snarling head of which takes up a large portion of his t-shirt. You could name your price if you had one. (See WWF Magazine, Dec/Jan 1985/86 p. 33, p. 64 & p. 65 for photos of above-mentioned figures.)
It should be noted that if a photograph of a prototype was taken, then that figure must have existed. A certain number would have been produced, and are then generally given to employees; hence the "moon" Hasbro Kamala and Rhythm and Blues Hasbro's. So that may be the origin of the "Panther Piper" and a black shirt Hillbilly may be out there too.
The first series was also supplemented by the huge WWF ring. It consisted of a moulded plastic base, removable ring posts, 12 turnbuckles, and a set of 3 ring ropes; jingoistic red, white and blue sure to cause the Shiek and Volkoff to shudder. It was about 19 inches square and could be garnished by the rarer cage attachment. The ring included four rectangular stickers on each side of the base and the WWF logo in the centre of the ring. The ropes were prone to stretching hence the comparative rarity of intact rings today.
Hence the game began.
A WALK THROUGH THE PLASTIC FOREST
The history of LJN figures through 1984-1989 mirrors the expansion and contraction of the WWF at that period of time. Professional Wrestling was introduced and accepted into homes around the world through extensive marketing and positioning of a product range that provided hours of enjoyment for kids and is now enjoying a healthy collector interest.
The first series of LJN figures was released in 1984 and these dolls commanded significant amounts of shelf space due to their size of 8-10 inches and the large blue blister cards. These Wrestling Superstars were produced by LJN toys and were made of an extremely durable type of plastic, that ensured that they would stand up to the backyard bodyslams and suplexes of young wrestling promoters. Original advertising suggested that you could bend 'em and twist'em but it would have taken the mythical strength of Hulk Hogan himself to accomplish this. Instead they were very, very sturdy figures and a more than adequate foreign object for hitting your opponent on the head. Even the paint used was durable although it wore significantly on high impact areas such as knees, butts, scalps and foreheads.
The original series saw the release of Hulk Hogan with heavyweight belt, Big John Studd, The Iron Shiek, Andre the Giant and Jimmy Snuka. The remainder of the first series consisted of Hillbilly Jim with hat, Junkyard Dog with a collar and chain and Roddy Piper with kilt followed quickly by Nikolai Volkoff with his hat. These latter four illustrate the importance of the snappy fashion accessory to the modern wrestler. Thus the set was complete. Five faces and four heels ready to do your bidding.
Of these pioneers some figures are better crafted than others. The Iron Shiek, Jimmy Snuka and particulary Nikolai Volkoff register the best likeness. Hillbilly Jim is a horrible hunk of plastic, stolid and immovable. Some critics have said that given the man from Mudlick, Kentucky's in the ring performance this was indeed the most accurate figure of the entire series. Andre the Giant sported a poorly crafted, spindly physique with the long hair that was so often a target of Studd and Ken Patera. It stands significantly taller than the other figures although getting it to stand by itself was no easy task. This problem was shared by Snuka whose bare feet provided too little contact to hold up his weight resulting in his leopard skin trunks being prone to losing chips of paint, Studd, whose massive thighs unbalanced him and Hogan himself. Hogan's overly generous head of hair was one of the contact points which probably made this figure the only in history to mirror ravages of male pattern baldness. In addition given boisterous play, Hogan, Studd and Andre's trunks often looked like the trio had had a heavy night at the all you can eat bean and taco restaurant.
The Junkyard Dog's grizzled countenance was well captured and it was a solid chunk of plastic. It and Volkoff stood their ground the best. JYD's chain was easily removed however, although the collar remains intact on most figures today. Rowdy Roddy Piper was a fairly unremarkable figure which suffered from a poor facial likeness. However it has resulted in the most sought after and valuable wrestling figure in existence: The "Panther Piper".
Initial promotional photographs often feature the product in an formative prototype stage. Various changes occur before mass production begins, generally a change of paint mix or a slight reshaping. In early photos Hillbilly was featured in a black shirt, JYD with chain but without collar and Piper in Hotrod shirt with brown boots. Piper was also featured with the famous panther shirt with brown boots. These led to a number of variations existing. The Hillbilly with black shirt seems to have never been produced but JYD featured a silver chain and a much rarer red chain. Studd features a variation on the customary brown-blonde hair which instead has brown-green or "khaki" hair. Roddy Piper was mass produced in the Hotrod shirt with red boots. A very rare variation on this sees Piper in the Hotrod shirt but with earth-brown boots. However the "Piper Panther" is the rarest of all LJN figures. I have had contact with very reputable and knowledgeable collectors who assure me that the figure exists as I had doubted its existence. It is sometimes described as the "Tiger Piper" but I believe the correct description would be that of the panther, a snarling head of which takes up a large portion of his t-shirt. You could name your price if you had one. (See WWF Magazine, Dec/Jan 1985/86 p. 33, p. 64 & p. 65 for photos of above-mentioned figures.)
It should be noted that if a photograph of a prototype was taken, then that figure must have existed. A certain number would have been produced, and are then generally given to employees; hence the "moon" Hasbro Kamala and Rhythm and Blues Hasbro's. So that may be the origin of the "Panther Piper" and a black shirt Hillbilly may be out there too.
The first series was also supplemented by the huge WWF ring. It consisted of a moulded plastic base, removable ring posts, 12 turnbuckles, and a set of 3 ring ropes; jingoistic red, white and blue sure to cause the Shiek and Volkoff to shudder. It was about 19 inches square and could be garnished by the rarer cage attachment. The ring included four rectangular stickers on each side of the base and the WWF logo in the centre of the ring. The ropes were prone to stretching hence the comparative rarity of intact rings today.
Hence the game began.