Tag: Toys

Tara Toy Corp. :: “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” – COLLECTORS CASE (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE i (( 1988 ))

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approx. 10 x 12″, 4″ depth

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–>> One of two Turtles collector cases made by Tara i know of. The slightly larger 1990 “DELUXE” TMNT case boasts holding 20 figures and has more familiar Lavigne/Brown style guide art decor.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE iv (( 1988 ))This one boasts holding 12 figures & accessories, but i guess that’s theoretically true depending on the size of the figs & how many weapons and such are crammed into the 2 brittle, plastic inner trays.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE v (( 1988 ))

I barely remember when i obtained this, it was so long ago. I think might have twisted my ma’s arm to pick it up for me at the Salvation Army for like 50 cents when i was still in high school or summin’.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE vi (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE vii (( 1988 ))Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE viii (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xi (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xiv (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xv (( 1988 ))

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE x (( 1988 ))This case here with the weird lookin’ Turtle graphics has seen allot of action and ware. It came without the cheap plastic handle the deluxe case has ( or similar, vintage collector cases for like Hot wheels, Real Ghostbusters, He-Man or G.I. Joe. ect. also made by Tara ).

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xvi (( 1988 ))

Those handles are awful anyway and in my experience with them when i was a boy was that they always fell out if TOO MUCH WEIGHT of the toys within’ gave gravity the advantage. The dang case would fall off from the handle in transit with dropping the case on the ground. Sometimes the case would open spilling the toys.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xix / inner trays (( 1988 ))

The top inner tray was the most damaged and is still cracked, but the worst of the cracks have been repaired with some household epoxy and clear packing tape.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xxii / inner trays (( 1988 ))

Initially for years the handle i had used an old ribbon that just didn’t really quite work well as a holding mechanism and looked like crap.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xxiii / inner trays (( 1988 ))

Within’ the past year i replaced the ribbon with a jury-rigged handle made from shipping twine & and a broken piece of an old leather belt.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xxv / jury-rigged handle (( 1988 ))The old box still shows it’s age and ware, but the newer handle looks ascetically a little bit better. With the repairs, the ol’ case still does the job.

Tara Toy Corp. :: "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" - COLLECTORS CASE xxvi / jury-rigged handle (( 1988 ))

~ t

So Cute You Could DIE! – Littlest Pet Shop Customs by Elizabeth

I have learned throughout my years, that if there is a toy line manufacured, there is someone who customizes them. Some time ago I happened across a toy customizer by the name of Elizabeth. But she wasn’t your average action figure customizer. Elizabeth makes custom Littlest Pet Shop toys.

“But Stephan”, you say, “What does the Littlest Pet Shop have to do with the TMNT?”

“Well”, I say, “let me show you.”

These precious little guys are custom LPS toys I commissioned Elizabeth to do for me. I absolutely love them, and I bet you do too! If you would like to contact Elizabeth about the possability of getting some of these cuties made for you, you may do so at this address!

Despite the fact that she is a much better photographer than I am…Here are a few more pictures of the toys

Turtle Soup: Designs From The Classic TMNT Years

One of the coolest things about being a huge collector of anything is that you get to meet people you would never normally meet. At San Diego Comic Con, Steve Lavigne was given the card of a sculptor that used to work with Scott Hensey over at Anaglyph (one of the studios that sculpted the vintage TMNT toy line for Playmates). Steve gave me the card saying that he thought this was someone I should get in touch with. And this is how I met David Arshawsky.

David is one hell of a sculptor, and has sculpted a number of my favorite pieces including Pizzaface, Wingnut, and Ray Fillet!

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I was very enthusiastic about getting to pick his brain, since I actually own a number of his prototypes, like this unreleased version of Pizzaface!

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Anyway, we got to chatting, and sometime in the near future I plan on taking a trip over to his studio to check out some of the pieces he has (which I will of course post about). But one of the cooler things he turned me on to is a little self published book he’s put out. “Turtle Soup – Designs From The Classic TMNT Years”.

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This book is full of concept art of figures, vehicles, and roleplaying gear that was designed and sculpted by David. While there is a ton of stuff in there for toys that you have seen, there is also a ton of art in there for figures that you have NEVER seen, and I don’t believe you’ll ever see it anywhere else! In my humble opinion, this book is a MUST HAVE for any of the serious toy collectors out there. And for $8.00 you really can’t go wrong!

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You can pick up a copy of David’s book via this link! (Disclaimer: David also does adult oriented art, and if you snoop around on the turtlemilk site, you’ll probably run into stuff that is not acceptable for viewers under the age of 18)