HASBRO TRIBES (1990) UNPRODUCED TRIBAL TOWER PLAYSET BLUEPRINTS & PROTOTYPE.
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Winning Bid:
$691.18
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, March 20, 2024 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
During the 1980s, a boom of action figure lines exploded onto the market, often bolstered by an accompanying cartoon. Out of this animated assortment a few strong market dominators arose; He-Man and the Masters of the Universe being one of the strongest. Naturally other toy companies racked their collective brains trying to unseat Mattel's golden child, resulting in a vast array of interesting toys that performed to various degrees. One such attempt came during the late 1980s from Hasbro (maker of G.I. Joe and Transformers), an attempt to throw their hat into the realm of fantasy - Tribes.
The brainchild of toy inventors Jose Longoria and Ann Jasperson and Adam Kislevitz (of Kiscom design representatives), Tribes featured a mask-centric theme - with various characters either belonging to the Thunderbear, Firehawk, Wild Cat or the Evil Screaming Skull Tribes. It could be argued that with the primeval fantasy feel of the toyline in addition to the bulging muscles of the designs, Masters of the Universe had more than a passing influence. But by the time the Tribes brand was purchased by Hasbro and put into the early stages of design and development, He-Man's empire was in decline. The toy market had moved onto newer ideas and Hasbro's Tribes display at the 1990 Toy Fair failed to garner the attention needed to move on.
However, the Tribes line had gone as far as tooling prototype figures, animal mounts and an impressive tower playset, all of which were rediscovered in 2016 when Kiscom (now The Obb) sold its New Jersey office space and was in the process of clearing out storage. We are proud to offer these prototypes to the collecting world, offering a glimpse into what might have been.
Inspired by toy inventor Jose Longoria's original pitch art, his "Evil Throne" design set the foundation for the lofty Tribal Tower playset from Hasbro's unproduced Tribes toyline. Measuring an impressive 30.5" tall when assembled this "3-Level Playset Features A Rotating, Removable Top Equipped With A 'Finger-Flick' Crossbow Rock Launcher And 2 Snake Catapults." Total of three snake-decorated spear bolts included, w/holes to display two upright in top level of playset. Other features noted in Hasbro's 1990 Hasbro Toy Fair catalog (a copy of which comes w/lot) includes "Tie The String Included To The Crossbow And Swing Figures From Level To Level. The Crossbow Section Is Also Removable And Can Be Used As A Tribal Outpost. The Second Level Of the Tower Features A Trapdoor That Swings Down To Drop Figures Onto The Base. The Entire Level Also Slides Up And Down To Trap Figures In The 'Claw-Tooth' Cage Below!" Of note, as the levels are moved, the "Claw-Tooth" cage spins due to central corkscrew rod. Two separate "ladders" made of molded spears attach to backside of center level. The hollow base is noted as being able to hold up to four figures as well as noting "Kids Can Display Their Collection Of Captured Masks Around The Base Of The Tower" which accounts for the series of holes made in base. Stickers have been applied to front of top tan level as well as to central "mask" feature and top of base. Base has three of five "tooth" spikes in place, a fourth is loose but placed for our photo. Prototype shows scattered wear w/glue repairs to top removable "Tribal Outpost" Section and main catapult bolt. Top section also has hairline crack at center. Scattered paint rubs, small flakes and other signs of wear. Fine/VF overall. Comes w/original plain cardboard box w/model maker's name/logo and large handwritten "Tribes" name. Box shows wear and just comes along. 22x33.75" Hasbro blueprint schematics for base section of playset from three different angles. Blueprints have some handwritten notations and back has "Received Sculpture Department" inkstamp. Folded into quarters, blueprints are aged and show moderate handling wear. VG/Fine. Due to size and/or weight of this item, shipping charges may be substantial. Please contact us w/any shipping inquiries prior to close of auction.
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