Your mission, should you choose to accept it… Original or Repro?

[Seriousin]

Around a year and a half ago, I purchased a couple of boxes of toys at an estate sale. While there wasn't much in the way of rare or mint items, the former owner had a soft spot for the Mego Superman. During his years of collecting, it appears that he would buy any one he came across. When they didn't have boots - he would give them reproduction ones.

Now, here's my dilemma - I'm finally sorting through these and I have yet to develop an eye for distinguishing between original and reproduction boots. Eventually, I'd like to possibly sale or trade some of these and I don't want to misrepresent the figures.

In the past, I've witnessed members easily pick repros out of poorly lit, grainy mpegs. So, if I'm not asking too much - what do you think of these boots? None are marked. Any help is most greatly appreciated and thank you :-)

[Seriousin]

And if no one responds to this - I completely understand. It's a bit of an undertaking :-)

[jwyblejr]

I would imagine the dark red ones are original.

[MEGOMAN]

I'm pretty sure that #7 is a Lili Ledy Superman boot!!!

[josephcardone]

Where is Dr Mego?? I am sure that he can spot em Most look original

[Seriousin]

I believe most are original. But within the lot there were 3 sets of unopened repo boots, so I figured that some of the figures must also be wearing them.

Yeah, jwyblejr - I was leaning towards the darker ones being original. The shade plus the play wear on those were pointing me in that direction. Good to have agreement on that.

Megoman, after comparing, #7 sure does look like a Ledy! But disappointedly, there were no Ledy figures in the lot. Maybe he had one at some point or someone got to the figure before I.

The thing most frustrating about this is that all the boots are slightly different from one another. And none have repo markings.

One thing I did notice is some like #3 and #5 have different degrees of a light vertical lined texture. While others are almost completely smooth. Didn't know if this might be a characteristic of one or the other.

And yes, josephcardone - when time permits, maybe the Doc can lend a hand!

Thanks for everyone's help so far. It's been driving me crazy!!!

[Blue Meanie]

If they aren't marked...then it can be assumed that they are all original. And the different shades and textures of the boots are all do to whatever materials they used at the time. Darker shades tend to lean more towards a later production date. 2, 7, and 11 look like later production boots. The texture of the boots are probably the same or almost the same. The cuts are almost the same. The others look to be earlier production. '73/'74 I would say by the color/shiny and cut of them. If there are any carded collectors that have a carded Supes or Cap from '75 or '79 you will see what I mean. The definition of the cut of the boots is less defined and similar to 2, 7, and 11. Hope that helps.

[MegoMark71]

They all look original to me, but i am far from an expert. Maybe more of a novice.

[Seriousin]

I know none are Dr. Mego (his are marked) and I would almost believe they were all original - but CTVT's repros are unmarked. Guess I just wanted to be close to 100% sure that any figures I sell or trade have 100% accurate descriptions.

Thanks everyone - you've all been very helpful!

[Vinny0026]

They all look real to me - except maybe #9?

but most of them are real for sure if not all of them