Had to share... Found this locally for next to nothing this afternoon. I can't believe this happened and boy what a piece of history to own.. Looking on feedback on best way to display/store and if sending off for grading is applicable. Please let me preface that I am just a loose vintage collector and this is a real big deal for me! Thanks guys!

Maybe I am just a bone head, but I can't get pics to post. Guess this is what I get from trying to do on iPhone... Sorry... Any insight? If I can't get pics up, there won't be any conversation

http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com//users/3011/13/96/10/album/image49.jpg

Argh....

Personally I would frame it flat. Especially since that flap on the right side has a tear that looks if it was flat wouldn't show as bad. The stand is in good shape, but I don't know if they grade just the stand and envelope. I am not a huge fan of grading anyway. The envelope looks worse than the stand and would likely lower a grade if the do grade these.

Hey, thanks for the reply! I have no clue how you viewed it, I have been fussing with this thing for the last hour and gave up... But I really appreciate your feedback. I for now don't have any graded figures and am not after that kind of stuff. The display is in way better shape than the box, I don't even like touching it! I will prob end up framing.

That's a great find.

Aussie James, thank you!!!

Cool find, congrats I'm not a grade fan either so if it was mine I'd frame it or ask one of the acrylic case guys if they can make a custom case.

Wow what a great find, congratulations!!!
Yeah I'm not a fan of grading either. But it would display really nicely in a custom made acrylic case, which would also protect it from dust etc....

Very nice Chris!

It's reassuring to know that it's still possible to find things like this in the wild for bargain prices.

As others have said, I'd be inclined to frame it or invest in a custom case. I personally wouldn't get it graded (if it can be graded).

Thanks for the feedback! I had to run down stairs this morning to make sure that it was still there and all of this wasn't a dream.
Now, should I incase the display stand separate from the envelope? The display stand is unused and in really nice condition and the envelope is just ok. I understand this ultimately comes down to personal opinion but appreciate your guys thoughts.

riehle1 wrote:

Now, should I incase the display stand separate from the envelope?

If I were in your shoes Chris, I think that I would prefer to have the envelope & the stand displayed together in the same frame.

Great find! Always interested in hearing the stories behind finding great deals out in the wild... please feel free to share.

I think it's best displayed in a showcase with figures...

I can't believe that was sitting in a store near me ,you bastard!!!! LOL

Great pickup. I agree about framing it, it would look pretty nice. Maybe even consider the envelope in one frame, the display in another? I would only say to do it if you could get them off the shelf, I wouldn't drop big money to do it.

Nice man!!

Not owning one of these I have no idea how big it is; but if it were mine, i would frame just the stand part and then try to find some type of archival comic book type bag or something to put the envelope in and tape that bag with the envelope on the back of the frame. that way it would still be with the stand, but not in the frame making you have to use a larger frame. The envelope is not in super bad condition, but really to me the stand has much more eye appeal without the red cutting into the picture and all the print on it.

Nice score buddy

brief story behind it..

wife and i decided to check out a local collectible shop. (collectible is a bit of stretch as it pretty much just a pawn shop). we have never been there and cant say it is in the best of neighborhoods...

noticed a real lot of vintage items scattered around and piled up. Adrenalin started to kickin and that feeling of possibly being on to something good suddenly came over me.

i noticed the EB package on the floor in the back around a bunch of unsorted boxes and thought ot myself.. nah.. its the re release but picked up anyway. my wife's eyes grew as i picked it up and the silent look of holy crap we are on to something came over as i pointed to the classic line 'between February 1 and June 1, 1978 you will receive...." i did my best to keep it cool and brought to the clerk with the good ole "how much?"

another employee came over and said, "early bird?!, what did you do with the figures?" i calmly explained that there was no figures. he told his guy to go "look it up" and see what its selling for...

i immediately felt like my heart was getting ripped out not only for the fact that they are 'looking it up" but for the stupid fact that they were going to cite what its selling for on ebay while its literally kicking around on the floor... that's ridiculous! i turned around in disappointment/disgust and started to walked away. came back a minute or so later and the guy behind the computer yells out 5 BUCKS... what.... 5 BUCKS... i immediate took out cash, handed it to him.. shook his hand and quickly locked in the car.

instances like what happen yesterday just reassures the fact of all ways trying to live life right, doing the right thing and good things WILL happen...

thanks Nico!

i have a strong feeling that the man that looked it up. ascertained his info from a 2005 release

Great story, and such a bargain. Congratulations on the find

thanks Mike!

man that is really cool and in good shape for its age great score