Top 5 Holy Grails
(In random order)
Just like any collectors and toy enthusiasts, we’ve got to share our Top Holy Grails. Often, we would have these items available in our inventory for sale but will be accessible for viewing at our future toy museum in Chicago. So stay tuned!
Eternia Playset
The Masters of the Universe Eternia play set (AKA Towers of Eternia) was released in 1986. The massive play set consisted of 3 towers and a working monorail with multiple vehicles. The tallest tower was nearly 3 ft tall, consisted of 4 floors, had a moat, a working drawbridge and a massive lion with working arms.
The largest and primary tower comes in two pieces and is called the “Central Tower.” It comes with a “Central Tower Base” foundation. The key feature of the “Central Tower” is the “Guard Lion.” The “Guard Lion” head also comes in two pieces featuring the actual “Lion Head” and the “Lion Jaw.” Additionally, there are two arms, simply called the “Right and Left Lion Arms” that fit into the “Central Tower.” Finally, there are two (2) Gold “Gargoyles” that guard the entrance steps to the playset leading up to the “Guard Lion.”
1986 MSRP: $89.99
2022 Complete and Unbroken on Ebay: $7,499.99
Photo Credit: transformerland.com
Kenner Death Star Space Station
The Star Wars Death Star Space Station play set released by Kenner in North America in 1978 and 1979. It measures nearly 22.5 inches tall, which remains one of the biggest toys ever created for any Star Wars 3.75” line.
The playset has a large elevator shaft that goes from the bottom floor all the way to the top. The top floor features two scenes from the movies. A large blue laser cannon, named many years later as an SB-920 laser cannon, fills up most of the top floor. The second floor of the station simulates the bridges near the Death Star’s central chasm. The coolest feature on the first floor is a trapdoor that leads to the trash compactor that actually works.
1978 MSRP: $18.00
2022: $475.00-$719.00
All Starwars Credits: starwars.com
Robotech SDF-1 Playset
The SDF-1 Playset was released in 1985 by Matchbox. The playset did have lots of play value featuring a detailed fold-out cardboard flight deck, working elevator, rotating cannons and radar, multiple command decks and a catwalk over the flight deck.
1985 MSRP: $79.95
2022: Rare. Please let us know if you find one!
Photo Credits: toyarchive.com
G.I. Joe Missile Command Headquarters
The Cobra Missile Command Headquarters was released late 1982-1983. This play set had a good amount of play value for a cardboard project. The ICBM could be rotated up to the vertical firing position, there was a 2nd floor crosswalk for sentries to keep post and plenty of cardboard chairs for the 3 included Cobra figures (Cobra Trooper, Cobra Officer and Cobra Commander) to man their computer consoles. The set was discontinued in 1984.
1982-1983 Orig retail: $10.99
2021 On Ebay for the 1982 Sears Edition: $500-$1,299.99
Photo Credits: YoJoe.com
G.I. Joe USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier Play Set
G.I. Joe’s USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier was the largest play set ever produced. At over 7 1/2 feet long, the USS Flagg was an aircraft carrier for G.I Joe and made by Hasbro in 1985. It is based on a Nimitz class aircraft carrier and is considered the ultimate playset.
It included the Admiral, Keel-Haul. The Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Flagg was also sold in 1986 and was discontinued in 1987. This was a legit play set and came with an electronic public address system. It also came with a two-piece utility vehicle that was part tractor and part fuel delivery system. The USS Flagg has radar, missile launchers, an “Admirals Launch”, and an elevator deck.
1985 An expensive price of: $109.99
2021 A complete set on Ebay : From $3,300