My purchases this summer

Every year, I venture out to the Das Awkscht Fescht (the August Festival for the PA Dutch Challenged) and see what I can find in the area of deals. It's been a while since hit "the jackpot" and was able to purchase three 1983 Official Collectors Display Cases full of '82-84 figures and weapons for $45.

In other words, 20+ complete characters including Snake Eyes, The Baroness, Cobra Commander, etc and the three cases for less than 2 bucks a shot. But it's been dry for the past few years, but I still enjoy getting up early and going on that search for "gold".

My first goal is to collect all of characters complete with accessories from 1982 until approximately 1991/1992. For me personally, it marks the end of my collecting days as a kid, but editorially, I think it marks the change from quality to accessibility and flash. Missles firing, Neon colors, etc. This to me is not "G.I. Joe".

This summer I was able to pick up "Trip Wire" and "Sci-Fi" and two others for a few bucks. I have been watching ebay for loose cards and accessories. You can really find reasonably priced items there. I can't wait to receive my boxes of figures from their storage place in Texas.

Welcome to the GI Joe Combat Zone...

GI Joseph here.

This blog was created on Sept. 3, 2007.

The purpose: To track my collection, to discuss all things GI Joe, and to maintain the tradition of this childhood action figure.

My plan: To post my adventures in toy show visiting, ebay watching, and organizing my personal collection.

A Brief History: In the 1980s, I was the 3rd of 4 boys. GI Joe was THE toy of my generation, second to maybe Transformers. The christmas and birthday tradition was that all 4 boys would receive ample amounts of GI Joes ranging from one christmas receiving the Terror Drome and another my parents got us the fabled USS Flagg. Needless to say, between 4 boys and Christmas and birthdays from 1984 to 1991, we received copious amounts of GI Joe Toys.

Many of those original toys are still in my possession (I am the caretaker of those toys, not unlike a family exector). However, many of these toys are faint memories, or truth be told, have been sold on Ebay. I have, however, maintained the entire action figure collection. This Blog will track my efforts to reassemble the legendary army of GI Joseph and his brothers. My hope is that collectors and friends alike will be inspired by the true story of me and my brothers wonderful childhood and the fun that I have at toy shows and yardsales looking for the lost artifacts.

-GI Joseph Out.