It’s been a few months since we’ve seen a 1979 Kenner ALIEN toy be listed on eBay in Australia. I am always on the lookout to see them become available in this country with this sample being listed today. Sadly, he falls a little short in some details but we don’t see many of these old toys listed in this country. It’s just a disappointing fact this sample is bereft of several critical parts. It’s still a Kenner ALIEN despite its state. Nonetheless this one is listed in ‘as is’ condition with the auction starting at AU$295. You do get a very incomplete item for your money but considering the scarcity of these items in this country, demand for it will be high and bidding will result in a good sale. 
This figure does look clean but a significant number of parts are missing. A dome is included in the sale but it’s a reproduction part, a post market fabrication by a third party. Along with the absence of the original dome the following items are also missing: both arms, the dorsal crest between the shoulders and all four quad appendages immediately below that crest. A set of seven obvious holes penetrating the upper torso are testimony to these pieces having gone astray, leaving the figure in a dramatically incomplete condition. To offset these blatant deficiencies, both halves of the tongue are present and the mouth activation trigger appears to work as intended. This appears to be a standard US version of the toy and not one of the rarer Canadian samples. Both versions of Kenner’s ALIEN toy were distributed in Australia. A great item if its condition is of no problem to you if you live in Australia want to add one to your collection without having to pay (at least) another AU$100 for postage from the US.
-windebieste.
This is a wonderful item and my very grateful thanks for permission to use these images of this sample go to 
One important feature part still extant on this vintage toy is the presence of the dorsal crest mounted between the shoulders. The fact this toy possesses this much sought after piece in place gives him value. While this is a good thing for this frequently missing part in situ, the dome and both tongue parts are absent. As is the left arm. Oddly enough, if an arm goes missing, it’s usually the left limb. Why so many of these vintage Kenner ALIEN figures lack the left arm rather than the right is a peculiar oddity I don’t understand. Nonetheless, loose limbs do become available for figure in this condition and when they do, the left arm commonly sells before any right arm also offered for sale. There’s been a few sales recently of loose items and this has been consistently the case. The left arm sells first. This imperfect figure is an ideal restoration piece. It is also equally perfect for tearing down and salvaging parts to be used in another build that may itself be missing a right arm and dorsal crest. Then sell the carcass – or remaining parts individually – on eBay. You might even get your money back.
This sample does look great. The box is showing some signs of age and light creases but is otherwise decent looking piece for a four decades old piece of packaging. The figure appears to be as good as it gets having never been removed from the insert it is mounted on. The poster is likewise present and completes the item for sale. Starting at such a low auction price of only US$0.99, this item will definitely attract a lot of interest. It will also demonstrate the value of these items when the final bid is placed. I expect it will take little to no time to reach US$100. That should happen without any bets placed. As to how much higher this item will sell for? The end value will be determined by the final bidder. At least US$600 would be expected. More than that is not out of the question. This auction can potentially break the US$1,000 ceiling. This is definitely a worthy item to watch, that’s for certain! A four figure sale for a nasty looking old toy that didn’t sell well back in 1979, though? Sure. Why not? This is in no way setting any precedents. Mind you, back in 1980, these old toys were heavily discounted. All the way down to, you know… US$7.50.
He’s lacking three pieces commonly missing from these old toys. The head dome and both pieces of the two-part tongue are absent. Other than those errant parts, he’s all there. The notorious crest between the figure’s shoulders which is frequently absent is present here. Both arms are included in the sale but they will need to be re-attached. Not a difficult task. Aside from this basically assembly, he just needs a good bath with a toothbrush in hand to knock all the dust and dirt off of him. The only real concern with this sample is the possibility of the functionality of the lever operated mouth not working.
This item would have been purchased via the JCPenny catalog and accordingly posted to the purchaser via mail inside the corrugated cardboard mailer box included in the listing. Such mailer boxes are very rare. This one is in great condition but the high starting bid is difficult to justify. If you are looking for a perfect condition and unopened sample of the nefarious Kenner toy at this price, this item will not satisfy your expectations. The blue themed package has been opened and the front window is loosening around the bottom of its frame. The figure itself is in fantastic condition, true; and the presence of the ratchet zip ties continuing to fasten it to the red insert card is testimony to this fact. There’s also a poster included but it’s seen better days with multiple undesirable creases though it. This item is far from being a pristine and unopened sample that such prices can command and the presence of the third party mailer box is a great inclusion in the sale; but it hardly warrants the 
I’m not an autograph hunter so I’m not familiar with some of the names scrawled across the outer surface of the box. Nonetheless, among at least seven signatures present are actors Tom Skerritt (Dallas), Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Mark Rolston (Pvt. Drake) and William Hope (Lt. Gorman). Also present is 20th Century Fox advertising consultant, Charles Lippencott. This item will be a wonderful addition to someone’s collection. It’s way outside the scope of my finances but no doubt it will eventually go to a deserving home where it will be appreciated.
This head is missing some critical features with parts such as the upper dome and both tongue halves being absent. The chrome finish on the teeth is chipped and worn. On the other hand, the mouth trigger still works and the jaw opens. That’s always welcome. The upper head surface paint is still present, if a little rough in places, but it will continue to serve its purpose, function as intended and glow in the dark. It’s an unusual green custom paint job, probably done on the toy four decades ago by a creative child wanting to further embellish the toy – or possibly done by some basement stoner, bored with life. I’ve heard enough such stories to know it’s well within the realm of possibility. It’s definitely an ideal piece if you want to further customise one of these old toys and this is a perfect sample to exercise further creativity if that is your inclination. There is absolutely nothing wrong with transforming degraded samples of these vintage toys into an Objet d’Art. Just don’t attempt to remove the 3rd party paint with chemicals – you’ll risk damaging and dissolving the features – and that kind of damage is significantly uglier result than the hand crafted highlights that have been applied to this piece. Worth US$50? You have to decide that for yourself. I know if I needed a head in this state (it still works!) I’d buy it. Maybe for no more than US$40, though.
At a glance, this item appears to be a near perfect example of the toy but the dome is in less than desirable condition for the asking price. Large cracks at the rear of the dome along with a pair of minor cracks towards the front mar its near perfect presentation. Sadly, these cracks will always be present regardless of how well they have been repaired. Make an offer. There’s no telling how long this item will remain available but he won’t last long, regardless of the negotiable asking price.
Obviously there’s a lot of parts missing from this toy and it’s not priced to be sympathetic to anyone who may want to ‘DIY’ their own Kenner ALIEN. Nonetheless, it’s a good base for a complete rebuild. There’s signs of wear throughout the figure and you’ll need to spend a substantial amount of more coin just to acquire the parts necessary to complete it’s presentation. To do so, you’ll need: both arms, both legs and the tail just to get it to a basic presentable state. Those are relatively easy to find. The more elusive parts such as the head dome, dorsal crest and both tongue parts may present a challenge, both to your patience and your wallet. Nonetheless, some of these parts necessary to rebuild this item can already be found on eBay.
This sample is a little rough around the edges with some burring along the connectors with other minor imperfections present. Nonetheless, this item is a genuine piece salvaged from a forty year old vintage toy and not a reproduction part. Prices like this are commonplace, matching the demand for these elusive parts. Along with the dome that sits on the head (and to a lesser degree, the dual tongue halves) this item is the most sought after body part for collectors wanting to complete their own Kenner ALIEN toy. An estimated 60-70% of surviving samples of the toy released in 1979 now lack this odd shaped piece. It’s worth watching just to witness the duration of the sale and see how long it takes to sell. Someone will buy it. It won’t take long, even at this price.
Not only is this old toy cheaper by a keen Au$300, it’s considerably more complete. Both tongue parts and the dorsal crest are present; and importantly, all are original pieces. The only body part missing from this sample is the dome on the head. Everything else is present. There’s a small stress fracture in the location of the dorsal crest where it attaches to the body and three of the four the “weird tubie things” on its back appear to be broken at the base and rotate freely. Nonetheless, this is a reasonably easy fix can be made to get them back into situ so it’s not too much of a problem.
Photos courtesy of Matt Porter. Thank you for permission to use these images.
The tail appears to be neat, clean and tidy and also includes the serrated circular clip to hold it in place. The quad appendage piece appears to be a little rough around the edges but is otherwise complete; and both legs display no breaks but do appear to have been touched up with silver painted highlights on the toes and other areas of the lower leg. These pieces are priced thusly:
Yes, there is more. That is, there’s still four more days remaining on the clock before this auction closes. At this stage, it’s difficult to determine what this item will sell for. As this much sought after piece is in very good condition and the sale started at a low US$3.99, the outcome is anyone’s guess at this stage. I’m thinking this dome could easily sell for upwards of US$100. NOT SO CHEAP – BUT THEM’S THE FACTS! It’s not a precedent, either, as they can easily top that mark. Nonetheless, the low start price will attract buyers and at the end of the sale, it will be the last hand in the air that determines its value. Will it sell for more than three figures? Let’s watch and see!