More tales from the Mego Warehouse

[Wee67]

Hey all, talking to Wee67 I think we had a Eureka moment.

I had been wondering about the two versions of the Star Trek boxes. One box has "2Doz Star Trek Assortment 51201" and the other was "Scotty 51200/5".

It finally dawned on us that these boxes give us great insight into the Mego process. Apparently the Scotty and Wizard of Oz boxes are MANUFACTURER'S shipping containers which is why they show arrival information and point of origin. As Bill already mentioned, these would have come by boat in the 1970's so going through the Panama Canal makes a lot of sense.

So, after arriving in Newark, NJ, Long Beach, or wherever, they would have then been loaded up on trains and sent to the Bohemia Long Island distribution center where they would be broken up into the various assortments needed to fill orders. So they would have taken the right amount from a case of Scottys, a case of Kirks, etc. to fill the second box you see which was a MEGO "ship to customer" box. That's why the assortment number is different and there is no destination info. That may also explain the diamond shape vs. rectangular shape on the side as I think international shipments must have the diamond symbol? not sure on that.

That also explains the WGSH box. They had many more assortments of the carded figures so they left the assortment blank so they could fill it in. This seems to indicate that there would have been another version manufacturer's box for Superman, Batman, etc.etc. The box variations must have been significant. Does that make sense?

At first, I just assumed the case assortment would have been compiled in China, but that wouldn't have explained boxes labeled simply "Scotty" (that's how its spelled on the box) or "Kirk." That type of single character container could be explained if the figures simply came off the line and were boxed right up for shipping. As Dan and I talked and noticed the differences between the boxes, it made sense.

Does anyone have any knowledge about practices back then or even other theories? If not, you're all going to have to go out and hunt down examples of shipping boxes so we can compare

[jemboy2004]

I remember when someone found cases of Isis and sold them though toyshop magazine for 60.00 each she had her own box. I don't know if that helps but she Was a filmation character so that might be why but I thought this same seller found some cases of batgirl and she came in her own box. I bought one of each from the seller both were perfect case fresh. This was like 12 years ago or more. I wish I remembered more details but going on somethings I bought long long ago in the days of toyshop.

[generic]

...I bought one of each from the seller both were perfect case fresh. This was like 12 years ago or more...

Wow, that is cool! Were these boxed or carded Batgirl & Isis?

It's just another example that the power of Geddy Lee knows no bounds.

Well, the men who hold high places must be the ones who start.

[jemboy2004]

They were carded figure's. Believe it or not but back then I had no probelm tearing them open! I do wish I hadn't done that now but when I look at my loose figure's they are all near perfect and original so I don't really regret it that much but if I could do it again I'd buy a bunch and I'd keep them carded!

[generic]

They were carded figure's. Believe it or not but back then I had no probelm tearing them open! ...