More tales from the Mego Warehouse

[SUPERUNDERDOGGIE]

Hey gang, long time no post!

Some of you may remember that many years ago I acquired a bunch of department store returns that had been sent to the mego warehouse. Among that inventory was an original T2 WGSH shipping case and ever since then I've been fascinated with shipping containers. So much so that Wee67 and I even visited the Long Island distribution center and documented our tour there.

Fast forward to today and over the years I've been adding to my case collection. The past couple months I picked up a case for MOC Scottie's (which interestingly says "Scotty" on the side...I guess the departments didn't talk to each other!) and also a case of boxed Wizard of Oz dolls. These two new acquisitions come from the son of a wholesale closeout buyer from Detroit. I'm curious what the time frame would have been on these. The Scottie's are T2 and the Oz dolls are later versions. I'm wondering if these were closeouts before or after bankruptcy. Just thought I would share!

[samurainoir]

It fascinates me that the Wicked Witch, Tin Man and Scarecrow were the short packs of the WOZ assortment! Although I guess it makes perfect sense if these were sold in the "Pink Aisles" of the day, that Dorothy and Toto would outsell the rest. Looks like they added an extra Glinda in place of the WW on that case.

[SUPERUNDERDOGGIE]

I just noticed that the Oz box is stamped 51501 which is Dorothy's number, no? They then added the case assortment stamp showing the contents.

This is different than the Scotty case where they list the generic Star Trek number 51200 and then /5 for his number. If they were consistent Oz would be 51500, right?

What fascinates me are the various shipping ports and destinations. Love to hear the stories behind what, when, why, and how these were routed out of China.

[Meule]

Probably the biggest collection of Mego shipping containers

[jwyblejr]

I don't know why but that Newark,NJ via Panama just fascinates me the most.

[samurainoir]

What fascinates me are the various shipping ports and destinations. Love to hear the stories behind what, when, why, and how these were routed out of China.

If you look at your box, you'll see that they were routed out of the former British Colony of Hong Kong... it's an Island offshore from China.

Although the offices (and factory?) was apparently on the Kowloon side mainland of Hong Kong harbour... close to Lion Rock. On the way out to the airport you pass one of the shipping areas which was kind of cool to see.

My understanding in chatting with my uncle about manufacturing while I was in Hong Kong last year is that these days they mostly undertake more high end electronics, and all the cheap plastic stuff goes to what he refers to as mainland China or other developing countries in Asia that can keep the manufacturing costs lower (doesn't CTVT do some stuff in India for example?).

[Wee67]

I don't know why but that Newark,NJ via Panama just fascinates me the most.

Makes sense if you ship by sea.

[Wee67]

This is really a great piece of the Mego corporation! The new stuff is so cool, but I still love the WGSH box.

[Marvelmania]

A lot of people just don't get into these pieces of Mego history but I'm a big fan of things like this! Great, great pic!

[The Bat]

Are you putting any of those Scotties up for sale?

[generic]

Over the years, I've been trying to put together a list of the numbers for mailer boxes (it's particularly tough because you don't always know if the figure that in included with the box is the figure that originally came in that box). It's been really difficult to put together. I wonder how often the numbers changed from year to year.

Anyway, this is really cool to see!

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I am glad someone cares about this as it is still part of Mego history. I still remember that shot you guys took at the warehouse (at least I think it was you guys).

[cjefferys]

Great pics and collection. It's very interesting to see what I assume was the average shipping ratio of the Oz figures. I guess that explains why the Wicked Witch seems to be the most difficult to find (aside from the boxed Wizard and Munchkins), but I had no idea that she was so short packed. I would have expected at least two per case.

[generic]

...but I had no idea that she was so short packed. I would have expected at least two per case.

It looks like maybe someone did a swap after the fact. The carton numbers indicate that there were supposed to be two witches in that carton.

[cjefferys]

Oh yeah, good catch, I didn't even notice that!