Starting an Action Figure Collection: A Step-by-Step Guide

What Inspires You to Compile an Action Figure Collection?

Is there a deeper reason why you like to collect action figures rather than, for example, stamps or coins? Making better decisions about your purchases and assembling a better collection will be made easier if you know the answer to this simple question.

Keeping your collection focused on one or two themes can help you avoid buying random action figures simply because you like the look of them. It's possible to end up with a hodgepodge of statistics that you'll regret in the road because you didn't plan ahead.

Maybe you're trying to track down all of your childhood action figures. This is a time-consuming and costly method of collecting, but one that may bring back many fond memories.

Or maybe you just like the attention to detail that goes into making action figures. Your collection should thus include only those figurines whose sculpts and paint treatments are of very high quality. With each additional figurine added, this might become a very stunning collection.

Is There a Good Place to Begin Your Collecting Adventure?

To begin an action figure collection, you need to know why you want to do it in the first place. To get started, browse action figure news and fan communities on the internet. If you want to stay on top of the latest trends, you can rely on them.

Options for Purchasing
Toy aisles at local stores: Take a stroll around the aisles of action figures. If we're shopping for Spider-Man figurines, we'll only purchase the two greatest ones. Similarly, If everything goes well, you'll be on your way to building a fantastic collection.
Flea markets, garage sales, and second-hand stores: Vintage action figures may be found for a fraction of their value on the collectable market since some vendors don't know what they have. Since they might be in poorer shape (due to lack of paint or other accessories, for example), you'll have to weigh the importance of condition when evaluating a potential purchase.

Display

The way you present your data should be carefully considered. If you want a fulfilling collection, this is equally crucial. Display cabinets with shelves and glass doors may be seen in many furnishing and department shops. Keep your collection from spreading across the home or workplace by using them to exhibit it in a specified location. Several tall, matching bookshelves will do in the absence of an attractive display cabinet.

Flirtatious contrast between loose and mint
Action figure collectors have a fierce argument over this issue.

A loose action figure is one that has been removed from its packaging and shown in a pose with its accompanying accessories (weapons, gear, etc.). Others, less concerned with the collectable resale potential, prefer to exhibit their figures loose because it's more enjoyable to see them "in motion" than to keep them in their packaging.

The term "mint" may apply to action figures that are still in their original packaging and in as-new condition as they were when they were on display in shops. You may encounter terminology like "MIB" (mint in the box), "MIP" (mint in the package), or "NM" on collectable and auction websites (near mint, meaning the figure is still in the package but has some wear and tear on the packaging).

Be sure to give this some consideration; it's entirely up to you and may be just as gratifying for the collector.

Should I keep the action figures in the box or throw them away?

The first question each action figure collector has is whether or not the figures should ever be removed from their packaging. An action figure that has been removed from its original packaging is referred to as "loose." It might be unboxed or uncarded (removed from the plastic card) (taken out of its box). This might be done to posture the figure, show it with accessories, or place it in a scenario.

Removing a toy from its packaging may be considered a devaluation by certain collectors. It does, in a way. When a figure is kept in its original packaging, such as the Supergirl figure on the right, it is more likely to be valuable. When it comes to the hobby of action figure collecting, investment value isn't usually the most important consideration.

The term "mint" refers to collectibles that are still in the same condition as when they were initially released. This implies that the figure has never been taken out of its packaging and is still in its original card or box. Figures in pristine condition always have the highest resale value. For this reason, it is far more difficult to show cards or boxes of figurines than it is to present them unboxed and posed.

We use a scale to measure action figurines called the "action figure scale."

Inches-tall and inches-wide action figures are possible, however "scale" is more often used to describe the size of most figures. The figure's scale is frequently rounded and does not always specify its actual size. Even in terms of size, there is a vast range of possibilities. The 3.75-inch range of action figures may include a 4 14-inch figure and a 2 12-inch figure.

2.15" (1:32 scale) HASBRO Toy Soldiers Unleashed
2" (1:25 scale) Playskool Galactic Heroes
3" (1:18 scale) Hasbro G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
4 (1:16 scale) Hasbro Most plastic animals, 3.75-inch G.I. Joes
5 (1:15 scale) Jurassic Park, Power Rangers
6 (1:12 scale) Hasbro Marvel Cinematic Universe, PlaymatesTMNT, DC Direct
” (1:10 scale) most Neca 8” (1:9 scale) - Mego Super Heroes
12 (1:6 scale) “Classic scale” 18" G.I. Joe, Mattel's Barbie (1:4 scale) - big, detailed action figures
” (1:3 scale) – huge, ball-jointed fashion dolls 72" (1:1 scale) — life-size models