Sometimes there’s a threshold of expectations that gets crossed which is so out of touch with reality you have to wonder what the thinking behind the action actually is. Take this grossly incomplete 1979 Kenner ALIEN being auctioned on eBay right now. It’s missing the dome, both tongue parts, dorsal crest and the left arm. No less than five pieces are missing from this sample and the seller still commences the auction at US$199.99. 
These are common pieces missing from these toys today and while the dome, crest and both tongue halves are considered the most valuable parts of this vintage toy, I feel it’s when the limbs go missing it becomes degraded at its most. After all, missing tongue parts don’t affect the appearance of the toy as they are concealed within the elongated head. The dome goes missing so easily but is compensated by having the glow in the dark detail of the head constantly exposed. Losing the crest on the back is annoying but at least it’s on the rear of the figure and its absence is not apparent when viewed from the front.
It’s when a limb, like the left arm here is absent, I feel the overall presentation of the figure is greatly diminished. Missing the left arm as this one does is obviously to the detriment of the figure no matter what angle you look at it from. Even if viewed from the opposite side, it’s apparent the limb is missing. It’s when so many parts of the toy are missing like this when the threshold of quality crosses a threshold from “average” to “sub-standard”. This figure is still useful for display but for my money, it’s worth tearing down and using the parts of the head, tail, arms, those weird things on its back and legs for rebuilds of the toy.
At this price, however? That’s another threshold being crossed right there. US$50 to $120 is more than enough to expect to pay for a figure in this condition. Will it sell for the listed price, though? No bids have been placed at this stage but that won’t prevent very interested buyers from wanting this item regardless of its condition. It’s simply a fact the value of these vintage toys keeps escalating so paying upwards of US$200 for a sample in this condition isn’t out of the question. At all.
By the way, here’s a question for you: What is it with the left arm missing on these old toys? On those occasions when I see these toys minus one arm, it’s usually the left arm. The number of figures I have seen missing this limb is disproportionate to those missing the right arm. Even when I see arms being sold loose on the secondary market, it’s usually the right arm being offered.
What happened to all those missing left arms? lol.
-Windebieste.
