Most Hard To Come Buy Figures in ORIGINAL TMNT Lines

[Triglyph]

Given the other thread for the recent line, I wanted to ask whats the hardest stuff to get in the original line?

Pop up displays
Fan Club flyers
Shogun Shoate/Triceraton
Undercover Turtles with cloth coats

What else are the top peices?

[Krueger]

No press April definitely. I only recall seeing her once on ebay. Black Belt Boxer Mike is hard to come by too. He isn't worth a whole lot but you never see him on ebay.

[HalfcourtGame]

I'm confused as to what exactly a No Press April is? I know she doesn't have any stripes but what makes her no press?

[VaughnMichael]

I'm confused as to what exactly a No Press April is? I know she doesn't have any stripes but what makes her no press?
most aprils have a press pass sign on her chest. the first version didnt have it.

[Triglyph]

several of the early versions of april which have the blue stripe have no "press" on the shirt and are extremely easy to come by. Not having the press alone doesn't mean its rare. Just to show my point:

http://cgi.ebay.com/APRIL-ONEIL-YELLOW-OUTFIT-CAMCORDER-GUN-WHITE-BOOTS_W0QQitemZ190164765724QQihZ009QQcategoryZ1647 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/TEENAGE-MUTANT-NINJA-TURTLES-APRIL-ONEAL-NIB-1988_W0QQitemZ300161767016QQihZ020QQcategoryZ45451 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/April-Oneil-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1988-10-Back_W0QQitemZ170159108558QQihZ007QQcategoryZ45451 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtle-April-ONeil-1988_W0QQitemZ280162239075QQihZ018QQcategoryZ16474 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-April-O-Neal-w-Blue-Stripe_W0QQitemZ270174549224QQihZ017QQcategoryZ454 51QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1988-April-ONeil-MOC_W0QQitemZ300143541412QQihZ020QQcategoryZ45451Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-April-ONeil-BLUE-STRIPE-1988-NINJA-TURTLES-MOMC_W0QQitemZ190112978812QQihZ009QQcategoryZ16474 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...take your pick. Thats not even all of the ones on ebay at the moment-just the ones on the first few pages.

and here is one at toysandtoons http://www.toysandtoons.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30_112_104&products_id=1217

Maybe there is an orange version without the press thats tough to get, but I have never seen evidence of this. If you want the original april (the one thats actually tough to get), its the white boots and no blue stripe.

[Krueger]

several of the early versions of april which have the blue stripe have no "press" on the shirt and are extremely easy to come by. Not having the press alone doesn't mean its rare. Just to show my point:

http://cgi.ebay.com/APRIL-ONEIL-YELLOW-OUTFIT-CAMCORDER-GUN-WHITE-BOOTS_W0QQitemZ190164765724QQihZ009QQcategoryZ1647 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/TEENAGE-MUTANT-NINJA-TURTLES-APRIL-ONEAL-NIB-1988_W0QQitemZ300161767016QQihZ020QQcategoryZ45451 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/April-Oneil-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1988-10-Back_W0QQitemZ170159108558QQihZ007QQcategoryZ45451 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtle-April-ONeil-1988_W0QQitemZ280162239075QQihZ018QQcategoryZ16474 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-April-O-Neal-w-Blue-Stripe_W0QQitemZ270174549224QQihZ017QQcategoryZ454 51QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-1988-April-ONeil-MOC_W0QQitemZ300143541412QQihZ020QQcategoryZ45451Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-April-ONeil-BLUE-STRIPE-1988-NINJA-TURTLES-MOMC_W0QQitemZ190112978812QQihZ009QQcategoryZ16474 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...take your pick. Thats not even all of the ones on ebay at the moment-just the ones on the first few pages.

and here is one at toysandtoons http://www.toysandtoons.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=30_112_104&products_id=1217

Maybe there is an orange version without the press thats tough to get, but I have never seen evidence of this. If you want the original april (the one thats actually tough to get), its the white boots and no blue stripe.

Yes, you are right. There are two Aprils that are hard to come by. The original April has no blue stripe on her leg and this one is hard to come by. The variant has a blue stripe and is the easier one to get. The next one that was released was the April with orange boots that said "PRESS" above her left breast, which is also common. "PRESS" was later removed due to Playmates fear of children interpreting it the wrong way. This is the rarest April figure, due to its limited run.

[Triglyph]

First, I want to make sure I am clear. I want to learn and help people understand whats rare and be friendly, so please don't take it as a personal attack. I just want to figure out whats up. I don't want anything to come off the wrong way here as disagreeing may sound like its meant to be harsh at times on a message board.

Additionally, this thread will put me in a terrible nerd catagory and if no one cares to discuss it further thats cool too. We can move onto other rare toys. I created the thread to discuss the toys and expand my knowledge, not argue with people...

That being said:

The next one that was released was the April with orange boots that said "PRESS" above her left breast, which is also common. "PRESS" was later removed due to Playmates fear of children interpreting it the wrong way. This is the rarest April figure, due to its limited run.
This is the reason I don't buy this story. If there was an intentional change with the press/no press (which I am not even sold on), the no press version would have had to be first and press would have later been added. Why would I make such a claim?

I will back this up:

The orange april was released in 1990. Apperently in both press and non-press versions. To the best of my knowledge these were all ont he same card. Its possible there are minor differences in cardbacks (like which had wacky action pictures-or only storage don and not the rest...or some other detail that was added/changed later)...But I suspect that they're all on the same cards. Now...They released ALOT of those orange aprils. Like we see TONS of them now...Then according to this story, because they were concerned with a possible misinterpretation of the word press being on them, they stopped having press on the figure...

That was the rumor...

but then in 1993, new cards came out and look what happened...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-April-MOC-1993-Unpunched_W0QQitemZ290169991978QQihZ019QQcategoryZ 16474QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thats an orange april with press on the '93 card.
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMNT-APRIL-ONEIL-GREEN-CARD-MOMC_W0QQitemZ300153978575QQihZ020QQcategoryZ16474 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem and another from 93

now, here is the same figure on the 94-98 cards:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-April-ONeil-1994-MOC_W0QQitemZ270177973554QQihZ017QQcategoryZ16474Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem press
http://cgi.ebay.com/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-APRIL-ONEIL-figure-mip_W0QQitemZ300152488350QQihZ020QQcategoryZ16474Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem press
http://cgi.ebay.com/1995-Playmates-TMNT-April-MOC-C-9_W0QQitemZ110152238929QQihZ001QQcategoryZ16474QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem ...and press

Here is my question to you...

Why would they remove the "press" LATE in the run of figures released on1990 card-infact to make so few that they are "RARE"...and they would then decide, after that limited run was out to add the press back in again in 93...and then not catch themselves to stop in 94-on...Again, IF the story is that they removed the press due to parents concerns, then they didn't remove them for vary long before changing their minds.

So I'd beleive the press was either a later addition, or, in a more likely situation some simply didn't get the press at the factory accidently and no one thought it was an important error worth fixing. I am not arguing the rarity so much (because I honestly don't follow that particular varition for this very reason). Afterall, we agree they made SOOOOOO many oranger with press aprils on those 1990 cards. It just makes sence that a few would accidently not get the press. In this case it is an error, and by the standards of most "professional graders" (and again, I am not saying I believe in their grading standards) errors are worth less than the "correct" version. Of course, as I say, a professional grader doesn't set a "value" and a figure is only worth what the buyer and seller thing its worth...anyway...when collectors caught on to the little variations in the ninja turtle line (like different belts on slash and things of that nature), this one became a big story that people liked to repeat as though they had some insider information into the inner workings of playmates...I know I heard it when the toys were out...and I heard it from someone else buying toys at a toystore...I even believed it at the time. I don't recall hearing it from someone at playments through an interview, article, newsreport, etc on the press/no press topic...I can't honestly say no such article was ever written, but was it written by someone with "insider" information (meaning gotten in the toy isle) or from an actual source at playmates...

So, for these reasons, I think the story is more fan made than anything that had to do with playmates opting to remove the wording. Maybe a couple of figures made it out with no press, but I can't imagine its anything like the story people claim is the case.

Now its entirely possible someone will be able to provide a credible article that proves me wrong...not some fanboy website link, but some article published in 90-91 that has comments from playmates people specificly...and I hope someone does find such and article...because I do want to know the truth. But I doubt the validity of that story we have heard about press/no press aprils. Nothing against you, but I never bought into there being anything special about the orange aprils press/no press. I have never seen one sell for more than like $6 in the collector world.

Please try to prove me wrong. I'd like to figure this out because for years people have made a big deal about press/no press and I have maintained the story is just a "fan-made collectorism".

Not meant as a personal attack...feel free to debate me on this.

Yes, apperently I am a nerd with nothing better to do, which is bad because I am really not a nerd and I do honestly have better things to do...I am just now pre-occupied with this and can't get my work done.

[Krueger]

Now its entirely possible someone will be able to provide a credible article that proves me wrong...not some fanboy website link, but some article published in 90-91 that has comments from playmates people specificly...and I hope someone does find such and article...because I do want to know the truth. But I doubt the validity of that story we have heard about press/no press aprils. Nothing against you, but I never bought into there being anything special about the orange aprils press/no press. I have never seen one sell for more than like $6 in the collector world.

Okay, so to start this off I will not take this as a personal attack. And I am totally willing to keep this friendly. I must say that you did make some valid points and it is possible that the whole "PRESS" thing is a rumor. I'm willing to consider that but I would like to see some valid proof. Now, your theory of the later releases of the April's w/"PRESS" is an excellent one but I'm not convinced. Now as you have mentioned, the chances of finding a valid source is slim to none. Under the "Action Figures" section of the April O'Neil Wikipedia page it states something similar to what I have previously said, but if you are a close follower of the vintage TMNT line, it makes no sense and if you have been to college, one of the first things they'll tell you is that Wikipedia is not a valid source. Nonetheless, it can't be totally ignored.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_O%27Neil

The reason I have chosen the piece of your quote above is to comment on the fact that you have never seen anyone spend more than $6 on the orange April PRESS/NO PRESS. To correct you, what you have seen are people that have not spent more than $6 on the April w/PRESS. The April w/no PRESS is rare, despite what you believe the definition of rare is. The only place you will most likely find one is on ebay and without me even checking now, I can guarentee you will not find one on there. I know factory errors do happen, but as far as the old TMNT line goes, I am not willing to believe that all variants are errors. If you look at how many different Genghis Frog variants were made, it is just absurd to believe they were all errors that happened in the year of his release. My definition of rare varies from the price of a figure on the secondary market to how often you come across it.

Now, you are doubting that a No PRESS April exists. The fact that you do, totally makes it a rare figure. As for me, I know it exists because I have one. (At your request, I will put pictures up if you desire so) I know there are more hardcore collectors on this forum than I am and I am sure a couple other people have to have on of these. I don't believe factory errors happen on a large scale. I believe Playmates intentionally puts out variants for collectors. Collectors such as myself, are nutty enough to go out to the store to buy the same figure twice just because the "S" on Slash's belt are two different colors which means better sales for them. An error is something like a different back card. There is some dude on this forum that has a Michelangelo that has the card upside down. That isn't listed in a price guide because it wasn't intentionally done.

This conversation will continue but since this was not what you intended to speak about, I will contribute once again to this thread. Other rare figures to come across, which I believe will fit your definition of rare are all four Mutant Masters.

Wow, I never thought I would type this much on this forum and as far as the vintage line goes, I do consider myself a nerd in this area.

[Triglyph]

All very interesting points on your part as well...

I'd like to know more, but it seems tough to get solid info. Can you tell me more about the card back? Who is featured on it? Perhaps they were changed at some point to be early vs later cards? I am not even sure they did that with older figures from the run...like print up april o'neil cards with the early 1990 release, then when more aprils would come out in later cases, switch over to the later 1990 card photos. I'd like to look into it further to try to get more information one way or the other. They may have just continued to use the existing april card that was already printed. I don't have any orange aprils here in front of me so I am at a loss at the moment, unable to investigate much further.

Again, if I am wrong, thats cool. I just want to know the facts.

I question...Will the tailer enders of the line, which were often less original character ideas, and more different takes on the main characters (advenures, warriors of the forgotten sewer, etc) be desireable in the long run? Like they are tough, but in my mind, its about original characters so ones that popped into the line at the tail are desirable...and one that should definitely cause alot of interest in the future is the 5inch Krang's Android Body. It was a late release, it was featured in nearly every episode of the cartoon, and its a great looking figure. I also think those undercover turtles are great because of their presence in that form within the cartoon. Very iconinc to the ninja turtles and not too many people got a hold of those at retail. I think those will see alot of collector interest as time flies by.

[MrPliggins]

I know there was a "no press" orange April on Ebay a month or so ago. I was watching the auction and it went for like $45. Unfortunately I can no longer find that listing.

Another super rare figure is Metalhead, original package, without the yellow starburst (which says something like "glowing eyes")

[Krueger]

All very interesting points on your part as well...

I'd like to know more, but it seems tough to get solid info. Can you tell me more about the card back? Who is featured on it? Perhaps they were changed at some point to be early vs later cards? I am not even sure they did that with older figures from the run...like print up april o'neil cards with the early 1990 release, then when more aprils would come out in later cases, switch over to the later 1990 card photos. I'd like to look into it further to try to get more information one way or the other. They may have just continued to use the existing april card that was already printed. I don't have any orange aprils here in front of me so I am at a loss at the moment, unable to investigate much further.

Again, if I am wrong, thats cool. I just want to know the facts.

I question...Will the tailer enders of the line, which were often less original character ideas, and more different takes on the main characters (advenures, warriors of the forgotten sewer, etc) be desireable in the long run? Like they are tough, but in my mind, its about original characters so ones that popped into the line at the tail are desirable...and one that should definitely cause alot of interest in the future is the 5inch Krang's Android Body. It was a late release, it was featured in nearly every episode of the cartoon, and its a great looking figure. I also think those undercover turtles are great because of their presence in that form within the cartoon. Very iconinc to the ninja turtles and not too many people got a hold of those at retail. I think those will see alot of collector interest as time flies by.

Yes, so the April mystery gets more interesting. Her card is the same as the April I have with the blue stripe. On the back it advertises the four turtles, the original April with no orange on her, Shredder, Bebop, Rocksteady, and the Foot Soldier. While surfing the web, I came across a fan site and it looks at the first four Aprils that came out (not including the no PRESS version) and there is an orange April with different artwork on her card which is the fourth one on the following page. I had not previously realized this. http://www.citizenlunchbox.com/toys/apriloneil.html

The undercover turtles are definitely great. I don't have any and they are four figures I'd love to add to the collection esp. as you mentioned, they were is so many episodes. The Krang variant without the coin usually goes for a nice amount. It is hard to come by the large Krang's android body in the box too.

You don't see many of the Giant Mutation figures either. Those are pretty bad ass.

Also, I responded to your message.

[CudleyCowlick]

The re-releases for the Movie Star turtles are pretty rare. I'm always seeing the original cards sell for a ton, and sure they aren't as common as some figs, but I seem them pretty frequently. It's the re-releases that I'm on the lookout for.

And speaking of re-releases, good luck finding Slam Dunkin Don with a white jersey on a re-release card. I saw one on Ebay a while back for the first time, I didn't even know it existed. And he had a collector's card no less!

[MrPliggins]

Also, in the first series, any non-turtle with a fan club flyer is extremely rare. I think these were mistakes and only meant to be packaged with the four turtles.

[NoPressApril]

Thought I would chime in as this is a debate concerning my namesake lol. Orange April with Press was accidentally released without the Press badge at first. There was no change later on. The proof is in the cards. When Playmates first re-released April with a new deco they didn't change the card back at first. It still featured the artwork of the first solid yellow april. The first figures off the assembly line after the change of deco don't have the press badge painted on the figure but are still on the original cardback. Playmates then realized their mistake and added the press badge while the cards still showed the first solid yellow april artwork. Then Playmates changed the cards and the artwork on the package showed orange april to match the figure inside. You will not find a no press april on a cardback showing the orange april drawn on it only the cardback showing solid yellow April. Thus the proof that the no press mistake came before and not after. I have her too by the way, it took me a while but I lucked up and got her finally. Did I help any?

[Krueger]

Thought I would chime in as this is a debate concerning my namesake lol. Orange April with Press was accidentally released without the Press badge at first. There was no change later on. The proof is in the cards. When Playmates first re-released April with a new deco they didn't change the card back at first. It still featured the artwork of the first solid yellow april. The first figures off the assembly line after the change of deco don't have the press badge painted on the figure but are still on the original cardback. Playmates then realized their mistake and added the press badge while the cards still showed the first solid yellow april artwork. Then Playmates changed the cards and the artwork on the package showed orange april to match the figure inside. You will not find a no press april on a cardback showing the orange april drawn on it only the cardback showing solid yellow April. Thus the proof that the no press mistake came before and not after. I have her too by the way, it took me a while but I lucked up and got her finally. Did I help any?

Yes, that does make sense. You should be a detective. Is no Press April your favorite figure?

[OA]

And speaking of re-releases, good luck finding Slam Dunkin Don with a white jersey on a re-release card. I saw one on Ebay a while back for the first time, I didn't even know it existed. And he had a collector's card no less!

I actually just won one of these 2 days ago early in the morning (2:30 AM eastern!). Picked him up, with card, for $20 plus shipping (I think it helped that it ended at such a terrible time). This is the second one I've seen in last couple of years (and I picked up that one too!).

[Drtooth]

Wasn't there someone called "Catscratch" or something that was on Ebay for 300 something bananas? Now that has to be rare.

[Jon]

Wasn't there someone called "Catscratch" or something that was on Ebay for 300 something bananas? Now that has to be rare.


Yep. Scratch is a rare figure.

[OA]

Wasn't there someone called "Catscratch" or something that was on Ebay for 300 something bananas? Now that has to be rare.

Yea, Scratch is a cat figure...he generally gets listed at around that price but normally goes for $150-$200 (plus or minus depending on the night)

Also, in the first series, any non-turtle with a fan club flyer is extremely rare. I think these were mistakes and only meant to be packaged with the four turtles.

You know, I remember hearing/reading somewhere years ago that these figures don't actually "naturally" exist. That in reality they are the regular figures that someone carefully slid the fanclub forms into to make them seem rare. I've seen pics of some of these figures but don't have any in possession so I don't know for certain if thats the case. Anyone got any non-turtle fanclub flyer figure?

[Drtooth]

Say, about how hard to come by are the figures based off the terrible anime OVA? I kinda would like to get one now.

[NoPressApril]

I have the first April with no stripes and a fan club form. I've inspected the card and bubble and she has not been tampered with. The fan club form is underneath her weapons rack so for it to have been inserted in there later the bubble would have had to have been completely removed and resealed and it's clearly never been done. I bought her off of Ebay for about 70.00. Oh and to answer your question krueger, my fan club flyer April is my fave as she's my rarest figure. Who's your fave?

[Jon]

Say, about how hard to come by are the figures based off the terrible anime OVA? I kinda would like to get one now.

The Super Mutants sub-series? Not sure, they were pretty common at the time of release (saw all of them alot of times). So may be in the middle (possibly common on the market, or maybe uncommon/infrequent).

[CudleyCowlick]

I see a lot of Super-Mutants, the ones in US packaging don't generally sell for more than $10-20 apiece, but you you almost never see them in Japanese packaging. Don't overpay for US versions, just be patient and you'll find a good deal. I got my US versions directly from Mirage when they were "cleaning out the basement" and listed a bunch of MOC stuff on ebay. I only paid like $5-12 a piece I think.

I've got Glow in the Dark Demon Shredder, which wasn't even released in the US and it set me back some decent coin. I see the Turtle Saint even less, and if you've got one, yes, I will kill you in your sleep to get a chance at it. :evilgrin:

[HalfcourtGame]

I scored a Saint Turtle back in June for $20 shipped :evilgrin: . I want a Demon Shredder too but I've only seen it listed once. Do they all glow in the dark?

[Drtooth]

I've got Glow in the Dark Demon Shredder, which wasn't even released in the US and it set me back some decent coin. I see the Turtle Saint even less, and if you've got one, yes, I will kill you in your sleep to get a chance at it. :evilgrin:

I forget, are the Saint ones the ones that Look like Wolverine or Saint Seiya? Cuz I want the Saint Seiya ones. They have a nice kitchse about them.

[CudleyCowlick]

I scored a Saint Turtle back in June for $20 shipped :evilgrin: . I want a Demon Shredder too but I've only seen it listed once. Do they all glow in the dark?

Nope, there's a regular version with a silver/purple color scheme and a red helmet. I see them both about as often, which is almost never, but the glow in the dark one is always listed for more.

[HalfcourtGame]

So I'm 99% sure I scored myself a No Press April this morning thanks to the info provided here. I'll know for sure when she arrives :lol: . Thought I'd get a second opinion as to not set myself up for disappointment though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200169081023&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=010

[BigApple3AM]

Looks like we have a winner, you should be posting that in the "steals" thread.

Lucky you, congrats!