Space Master 2002: A Rack Toy Quest

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Above is the Space Master 2002, my dad sold these in 1977-1978. I remembered everything about these fun toys, how they looked, that card art with the skimpy lady, everything.


Except the name.


For years, I've tried everything but searching for "Spaceship" on ebay is well, a long day. I had kind of resolved to just keep my eyes open at toy shows and antique malls and hope for the best. What happened next I was totally unprepared for.


My son asked me to help him find some gaming cards, so we went from shop to shop each time having no luck. I'm one for a quest, so i suggested a used bookstore on the other side of town. It was a long shot, it looks like the last time they got new comics in Superman was dead, but whats the harm?


As we wondered around, there it was, sitting next to paperbacks and unsold Gen 13 merchandise. My brain processed it and i immediately snatched it and held it close, like i had competition. I paid immediately, I didn't care what the price was (it was dirt cheap, I'm the one guy who'd have paid far more).


That's one of the things I love about collecting, this inexpensive toy is relatively meaningless to most but it meant the world for me to find and that little bit of kismet made my month. So much so, that I didn't complain when I had to drive an hour into the city to get my son those darn gaming cards.

For more Fashion Mockery and 70's toy love visit us at Plaid Stallions.com


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[Werewolf]

That's so cool! Congrats on finding it.

[samurainoir]

Happy that you finally got your "rosebud". 8)

[Earth 2 Chris]

What a great story. Yes, that is the essence of our madness, and why we do what we do. Congrats!

Chris

[ubermanx]

Very cool. Always great to hear about moments like these.

Unfortunately it's 2013 let alone 2002 and I have neither a cool space ship to drive nor are there skimmpy women running ... wait ... nevermind ... wife is dressed for yoga. I guess 1 out of 2 future predictions ain't bad

Cheers,

Marty

[cjefferys]

Great story, and oh man, I had one of those spaceships when I was a kid! I have no recollection of that card art (I probably threw it away immediately) but I distinctly remember that toy design, the folding wings, the missile launchers, etc (except I think mine was yellow not blue). I bought it for a buck or so at the local five and dime store back in the late 70's.

[GlobalObserver]

Tracking down really obscure, generic, no name brand rack toys is a challenge.

It took me years to finally stumble upon one of my minor grails.

http://megomuseum.com/community/showthread.php?25777-Remember-those-clam-shell-Flying-saucers

[HardyGirl]

It's great when you can find that one obscure piece that makes you think you imagined the whole thing. Congrats, Brian.

[Hedji]

You have to wonder if your body language betrayed your hidden excitement, giving the shopowner the perception that perhaps he just gave away a valuable rarity.

Nice find!

[ctc]

AAAHHHH!!!!!

I've been looking for those FOREVER! I had a bunch as a kid; there's a green, yellow and red one too. The forward parts are different on them too. Instead of shark fins, there's round jumbo jet engines, and one with nothing too. I totally loved 'em. I used to get them from Macks Milk. The one by my house.... next to the Big-V.... where I'd get "Battle of the Planets" activity books, and those "Monster Colouring Books" that I'm trying desperately to amass.

Don C.

[Wee67]

That's a great story and a great find! I'm also glad you found it cheap. I feel like finding it cheap helps maintain some of the original charm and mystique the toy holds in your memory. It's still rack-pure .

[Chris]

Great story. It couldn't happen to a nicer fella. Great card art too! If you think of it this would make for a great podcast story.

[MysteryWho]

2002 "M.O."? Were the makers of the packaging that visionary to suggest that in the far flung future we would change the way we refer to our eras? This did sort of happen with AD/BC becoming CE/BCE but what could the MO stand for?

[palitoy]

2002 "M.O."? Were the makers of the packaging that visionary to suggest that in the far flung future we would change the way we refer to our eras? This did sort of happen with AD/BC becoming CE/BCE but what could the MO stand for?

You tell me, I've been wondering that myself.

[Bruce Banner]

Cool!
I had that blue one as a kid. Always loved the "star shark" aspect of it.