As I am finishing up my American G1 collection one of the last things on my list are the giftsets. I've had the easy-to-find Superion giftset for a very long time now, at least three or four years; but Defensor and Computron have always eluded me as being either too expensive or completely unavailable. But as things tend to do, it always comes in waves...
In my
Epic Search for my last remaining tech specs, I was alerted to a recent auction for the American G1 Defensor gift set. It was a little beat up, but honestly this is one of (if not THE) rarest of the American G1 giftsets. My friend
Maz has a little theory that they were a store exclusive, but unfortunately no evidence has been able to yet substantiate that claim. Maz was also the kind soul who let me in on the auction and graciously gave it up so that I may purchase it. It was only missing the Instruction Booklet, which I happened to acquire a couple years ago in an unrelated purchase.
This is a beautiful giftset, the boxart is gorgeous and it displays wonderfully. And amazingly, it is original! I had been swindled on a previous attempt to purchase this giftset so I was able to learn all of the little intricacies that make this the real deal.
Perhaps sensing that I was weak, the universe decided to drop another opportunity on my lap via the
Sellersville, PA Auction company. A couple weeks ago there was a massive auction of hundreds of sealed and MIB G1 Transformers, including many Japanese items. I had my eye on a lot of items but was outbid on every single one of them, save one. Computron. The Technobots have been one of my favorite combiner teams ever since I was little (you can see them and the Protectobots in the picture) and I still have my entire team that I received that day; nothing broken, just had to replace a couple of accessories. So having the opportunity to get another beautiful giftset for such an amazing price was too good to pass up. I am just now realizing that I received both the Protectobots and the Technobots on the same day over 25 years ago and now I have accomplished almost the exact same feat in a very short amount of time. Strange how life works sometimes.
And thus, my American Autobot G1 Giftsets are complete! Now on to the Decepticons!
I remember seeing the Computron giftset as a kid, but I never knew about the Defensor set until last year. The rarity on this thing amazes me. Great finds! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't have any definite memories of any giftsets when I was younger which is such a shame as they were so awesome. But it was a happy Christmas morning nonetheless!
DeleteThe only reason I remember is because of the continuous barrage of pleading I did. I wound getting each Technobot individually for my birthday so I was still happy.
Deletegreat get dude! never saw giftsets when i was young (except Liokaiser), never even knew USA giftsets existed back then
ReplyDeleteHaha, see we're even because I didn't know the Japanese giftsets existed back then. In fact even the US giftsets were on my periphery, all I really wanted was the toys, I didn't care about the packaging.
DeleteSweet score dude!! Much awesomeness, I have all the combiners w/ individual box and cards (Canadian Versions) except some of the Seacons, looking for the giftsets too, (Canadian)I just have an "easy to get" US Superion...
ReplyDeleteHopefully the universe looks out for me as it did for you!! Haha!!
Thanks! Yeah it is weird how things like to come in batches. I have no doubt that I will somehow obtain all the Decepticon giftsets at the exact same time.
DeleteI don't see the Canadian sets very often, are they usually hard to find?
Isn't it amazing how the universe just seems to smile upon you sometimes?
ReplyDelete