Figures that seem easier to find carded.

[English Paul]

Looking around Ebay I have noticed that some figures seem to turn up more often carded than they do as loose examples.

Is this due to unpopularity at the time?

In some cases it just seems easier to buy a carded figure than to hold out for a really good loose one.
Examples that spring to mind are.....

Isis,
Huggy Bear,
Chopper,
and Captain Dobey.

Any more you would like to add to the pot or discuss further?

[palitoy]

Sarge from CHiPs seems to be another one and you rarely see nice loose OMBC characters.

[toys2cool]

I see more carded French Mr.Fantastic's then I do loose ones

[cjefferys]

Flash Gordon and many of Mego's 12" figures also seem to fall in this catagory, especially movie figures like Black Hole, Moonraker, Buck Rogers and Star Trek: TMP. I think this might have to do with rather poor kid related sales, and instead, most people buying these were doll, SF and/or movie memorbilia collectors (such collectors did exist in the 70's and early 80's). Also, since most of these lines were poor sellers, there was probably a lot of old store stock hanging around and discovered later. Oh and Wizard of Oz also seems to be more common boxed than loose, due to many purchases by doll and movie collectors (I don't know how well this line historically sold to kids though).

[Mikey]

Most of Mego's 3-3/4" TV and Movie lines are easier to find on the card then loose

[kryptosmaster]

I see an awful lot of carded planet of the apes. Seems like most common of those are Dr Zaius, Cornelius & Zira.
Guess that could be cuz the were so popular that they were overordered and sellers got stuck with tons of them?
Also Star Trek. SEems like McCoy & Spock most of the time.

Rich

[palitoy]

Flash Gordon and many of Mego's 12" figures also seem to fall in this catagory, especially movie figures like Black Hole, Moonraker, Buck Rogers and Star Trek: TMP. I think this might have to do with rather poor kid related sales, and instead, most people buying these were doll, SF and/or movie memorbilia collectors (such collectors did exist in the 70's and early 80's).

Somewhere I have an article from the early 80s that pretty much confirms this, it interviews a hobby store owner who says that those lines sell primarily to adult collectors. It was around even back then.

[Wee67]

I definitely think, regarding 8" figures, this is a reflection of the popularity of the figure. The less popular a figure, the more likely it wasn't sold or opened back in the day. And, of course, this would be combined with items that were manufactured at volumes well beyond sales. As 3&3/4" figures became more popular, I'm suire a lot of these figures became peg warmers.

[cjefferys]

An addendum to my previous post: KISS figures seem to be an exception to the 12" figure rule. In my experience they show up loose more than boxed. I blame this partially on the boxes featuring cut out instruments that require the box being destroyed (I did this with two of my boxes as a kid ) and also, with these being released at the height of Kissmania, I'm sure lots of kids bought these (I know me and my friends did)

[starsky]

hulks and spidermans

[Bionic Joe]

Them Dukes Them Dukes, Dukes of Hazzard 8 inch figures smran more common MOC and the 8 inch CHIPS also pop up more carded then loose

[starsky]

starsky and hutch too! they usually go for about $25 each moc

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Agreed about the French Mr. Fantastic. And, not that she's plentiful in either way, but I seem to come across more french carded Invisible Girl's than I can find in loose, complete, nice shape.

Also, most likely due to their size, I can easily find Eagle Force figures carded in cheap and nice shape, but don't see them being offered in loose complete condition as often.