Where is My Printed Reference to Masters of the Universe Toys?

I own several books that are little more than photographic guides to specific toy lines. The Transformers: Identification and Price Guide*, Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe 1982-1994*, and the Hot Wheels: Forty Years* books are just a few of the fun guides in my collection. And books like Totally Tubular ’80s Toys* and Just Can’t Get Enough*, while not dedicated to any one line, are equally entertaining and packed with photos and thoughts on toys.

But in all of my searches for reference guides to toys I have yet to find one dedicated to the eighties Masters of the Universe toys. There’s a fun section on he-man.org where I can explore the old toys, but as much use as that is it just doesn’t compare to the fun of a nice book packed with photos. And with the Masters of the Universe toy design book (reading post here) on my shelf the lack of a guide to the old toys is really starting to bug me.

I’ve started asking around, trying to get an idea for why the book I want does not exist. Some speculate that Mattel would crush any attempt at such a guide, but if that’s true then how can books like The Complete & Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls* exist? Barbie is worth a hell of a lot more to Mattel than Masters of the Universe, so I would think that if Mattel was going to act against unofficial guides then books about Barbie (and Hot Wheels) would be at the top of their list.

Is it that there’s no demand for such a book? Am I the only one willing to drop $30 to $50 on an excellent guide loaded with great photos and background material? I cannot be alone in my love of books and fascination with incredible photo books. There have to be more people out there who would buy the book I want.

Or is it simply that no one has ever sat down and tackled the subject? I suspect that this is the real reason that the book doesn’t exist. If there is one thing that my Transforming Collections Kickstarter project has taught me it is that the effort required to make a great book is far more than I first expected. I’ve produced plenty of books in the past, but color correcting and reshoots take a lot more time than simply writing and layout, and a book that would cover all of the eighties Masters of the Universe toys would be much larger than my own (current) book project.

So, for now, I guess all I can do is wait and hope that someone steps up and creates the book that I want. Until then I’ll have to settle for the section on he-man.org with the toys, but that’s not near as good as a fabulously-produced book.

If anyone decides to create the book I want please let me know. My money is ready.

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2 thoughts on “Where is My Printed Reference to Masters of the Universe Toys?

  1. I am curious about this also now. I love all my TransFormers and G.I Joe reference guides as I like to get away from the keyboard, sit back and browse a book.

    There are other toy lines that I would like to see PRINTED references guides for such as ThunderCats and heck a Muppet collectable one. Maybe it is the way people today that everyone needs to be an ebook instead of a good old fashion paper book.

  2. I am intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. I also am quite intrigued by the book idea. I certainly have all of the photographic and writing skills for such a venture, but have limited time and resources. I DO have a rather large MOTUC collection to start with though. I would also be very interested in collaborating on this for research and toy exchange purposes (I would need to be able to get my hands on some vintage toys with minimum dollar expenditure.) Anyone interested? It might take a year or so, but I think we could definitely come up with something fantastic.

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