michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Jun 27, 2021 2:36:17 GMT -5
Just got my book a few days ago. The detailed info contained along with the pics are truly amazing. Best purchase in awhile and money well spent. Thanks for that and great that it has arrived. You have a lot to get through for sure!
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Jun 27, 2021 2:35:35 GMT -5
Unfortunately no verifiable evidence exists (to this point in history) of any of the cancelled black card releases, including drawings or any sculpts.
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Jun 15, 2021 0:00:39 GMT -5
Thanks Ozz, you had a very early glimpse of it some time ago, and contributed some rare pics and a great collecting story!
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Jun 14, 2021 0:42:06 GMT -5
There's a lot of questions about LJNs that people have and some of the answers are muddled, as people have imposed a contemporary Series structure onto the releases based on the mould production code on the figures. All "1984-1988" Series came out in different waves, with 1988 having 3 waves. Trailing re-releases of earlier figures accompanied all waves throughout 1985-1988, and the timing of these can be seen by the different card backs and fronts, with about 40 different blue cards over the time. By mid-late 1988, MCA Universal, (LJN's owner since 1985) were shot of the line and they were heavily discounted to clear stock. They only could carry one tag team into 1988, as the box took up so much real estate in the 1988 toy aisle landscape. 1987 and trailing re-release tag teams were heavily discounted in later 1987, so tag teams were an expensive and slower moving risk by then. Essentially LJN was just seeing out the final year of its 4-year license with the WWF. LJN Toys Ltd. found it easier to get retail buyers interested in other more innovative toy product by then. Grand Toys was always LJN's distributors into Canada and naturally were "successful" in guiding the line to its end, with all Black Card and Black card re-releases also available at retail in New Zealand. I have covered this all in depth in 150,000 words and 1200 images in the LJN Wrestling Superstars book. This is not a hard sell...but the readers have been very happy...and it's now in its second (but smaller) print run. Link may or may not work? link
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Jun 14, 2021 0:30:21 GMT -5
Great shot!
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Feb 27, 2021 21:19:21 GMT -5
The Wrestling Ring kept chugging along and even ran an ad in the WWF magazine in 1990 (inside front cover I think). But they had diversified well beyond the Wrestling Superstars figures. It was sued by the WWF (for unpaid monies) in mid 1991 and failed for bankruptcy soon after!
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Feb 27, 2021 21:16:17 GMT -5
Of course a large shipment of Black Cards landed in New Zealand in the final months of 1989 through the NZ distributor Funmaker. New Zealand had missed out on Series 1-4 but did start getting Series 5 and some remaining stock of Series 4 throughout later 1988 into 1989, (and again presumably) a lot of that would have come from Grand Toys clearing the stock they inherited in the buyout. US finally got their chances at hunting Black Cards at retail through the Toy Liquidators chain in 1990 and 1991, as well as through other closeout sellers. Commonly the figures were $7.99 in 1990 and then down to $3.99 in 1991, so you can see how 'cheaply' excess stock was cleared at.
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Feb 27, 2021 21:09:59 GMT -5
I talked about the demise of LJN (MCA Universal) in the Series 5 Lowdown section in the LJN Wrestling Superstars Book link and how their contract wasn't renewed after 4 years (2nd half of 1988) and how they cleared remaining stock at bargain prices. Grand Toys (referred to as the LJN of the North) naturally took over using their established Canadian distribution network. There are reports of a smattering of Black Cards available in the US in small retailers in the North East and border areas (presumably they had existing deals with Grand Toys). Of course the Wrestling Ring handled 99%+ of US distribution, both LJN and Grand Toys used a model whereby stock was shipped directly from China and Hong Kong to the seller without the need for maintaining wholesale distribution centre.
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Feb 27, 2021 21:04:03 GMT -5
Fantastic memories GoldenHulk and you are the first Ive come across that actually ordered all the 'unreleased' figures. I think I had a story from one guy who ordered the Brother Love.
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michaelc
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Post by michaelc on Feb 5, 2021 20:27:51 GMT -5
From Bam Bam Bigelow's profile pp.166-167 from the LJN Wrestling Superstars Book www.ljnwrestlingsuperstarsbook.com
This is Bobby Head's collector story (there's one story for each figure release). And the said photo lives in the legacy section of the book. (a lot of other Wrestling Ring info as well!!!!!)
"I was a big WWF fan as a kid and had a lot of LJNs. But by the time Series 5 came around it was not easy to find them at all. One the greatest days of my life occurred in late ‘88. I was home sick from school, and this just happened to coincide with a package arriving from the ‘Wrestling Ring’ mailaway store. I couldn’t wait to open it up to see my new Bam Bam Bigelow figure. I had ordered him for $14.99 (which was a lot of money for a kid) through the ad in a wrestling magazine! I’ve still got a photo of me from that day, not looking particularly unwell at all, wrestling Bam Bam against Savage in the LJN ring! What times! Bobby Head, Fort Atkinson, WI
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Feb 5, 2021 0:31:34 GMT -5
Thanks loneman1 and glad you're enjoying it. A lot of guys got it as Christmas presents (either from a loved one or from themselves)! The books are now 75% gone and Us-direct orders are available from the website www.ljnwrestlingsuperstarsbook.com
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Dec 6, 2020 22:43:00 GMT -5
Just came home and got the book. First look and I am already blown away by the sheer amount of information that has been put into this book. What a journey this must habe been for you. To anyone thinking about buying it: stop thinking and buy! Thanks Casanova and glad you're liking it! There is a lot of information and pictures in there for sure. For others who are not sure of purchasing this I wont say "it's this or it's that and you must have to call yourself a collector, etc." All I ask is that you take notice of what the readers who have the book, say, they're your true guide.
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Nov 30, 2020 0:46:54 GMT -5
It has landed in Germany! Nice and quick, they are getting overseas much faster now!
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Nov 20, 2020 19:13:03 GMT -5
Thanks Casanova, you've got the tracking automatically sent, at some point that tracking will switch over to your local carrier. I'd be hoping for 4 weeks, but it depends on the Covid impact for Germany locally on mail volumes as well.
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Nov 8, 2020 23:12:53 GMT -5
I'm just upset I'm done with it and there's nothing else to read. Lots of interesting info in here, and lots of non-figure history that brings you back to what we knew, may have missed way back when, or otherwise surely never would have known (lots of LJN company history, etc.). Just a great collection of information all relating to, and including of course, the figures themselves. Hi Ozz. You can start again! Just the Wrestler profiles. And trace that 1984 - to april 90 Golden Age history! I wouldn't hold my breath for a new book just yet, but there is always the possibility!
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Nov 5, 2020 18:33:23 GMT -5
I'm gonna buy a copy sometime soon for sure. Thanks Sir, no rush! Ill let people know when they are getting low...(or should I say "mate, I'm almost out, you better hurry up and buy 10!") link
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Nov 5, 2020 0:34:02 GMT -5
Thanks Ozz and Kasper! Glad you guys are enjoying the book. It's been a long project, a labor of love so to speak - but from the reaction of guys who have it - well worth the slog!
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Oct 4, 2020 21:30:11 GMT -5
Got mine on order; best of luck selling them. This will be the first and only guide I'd ever consider purchasing, as I consider everything else just a reflection of that very moment in time which quickly gets outdated (Going back to Lee's in the '90s when I was collecting, and likely before that as well) Thanks Ozz. You've had a glimpse right from it's early days! Your's is on the way!
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Oct 4, 2020 21:29:20 GMT -5
Job well done! I hope you sell a lot of copies! Thanks Grumpy one. The book speaks for itself, I'm not going to 'talk it up'. Some pre-orders have already started landing in the US and NZ so keep an eye out to see what the readers think. That's the best way to judge.
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michaelc
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Joined on: Mar 23, 2016 1:27:41 GMT -5
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Post by michaelc on Oct 4, 2020 8:15:08 GMT -5
I understand. Shipping is US19 approx. But if it’s too much to pay, it’s too much to pay.
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