GI Joe Toybox (1983)
Here’s the biggest item I’ve covered yet! No, it’s not the USS Flagg, but it is practically a piece of furniture! This GI Joe toybox is pretty massive, comparatively. I picked this item up at a garage sale, believe it or not. I hear tales from Joe collectors about cool finds at garage sales or Craigslist and the like, but up to this point, I hadn’t had much luck in my area. Finding this stuff in person is much more fun (and cheaper) than ebay.
The “To the Rescue” painting, featured on an early poster as well as the 1983 catalog, had always been one of my favorite examples of GI Joe art. From the days of its appearance on the cover of the 1983 product catalog, I’ve really been a fan of its exciting portrayal of the original thirteen team members and their equipment. The loose, dynamic style of the brush strokes are a sharp contrast to the typical GI Joe package and other marketing art, which was rendered in a tighter, more painterly style. Man, writing about the art, I feel like I’m flashing back to blowing smoke on all those phony baloney essay tests from my undergrad art history classes. Sorry about that.
Inside the lid of the box are comic style graphics of a landscape with road, trees and concertina wire. This looks to me like the same concept as a play mat, on which kids could place their figures and vehicles to stage mock battles. A smart usage of the box lid, and something I don’t think happens with kids’ toy boxes these days. In fact, I don’t think toy boxes are even made from this press board type stuff any longer. I sure remember it was the standard throughout my childhood, as cheaply made as it was. One of my friends had the entire Return of the Jedi bedroom set, complete with desk and shelves. If I ever find a GI Joe shelf or desk to go with the box, they’re totally going into my living room. Well, maybe not, since my wife would probably kick me out of the civilized part of the house. I love my man cave and all, but I don’t think I could live there all the time.
Why is it not on display at the Louve?
GI JOE was not the only brand to use “To the rescue”. That line was also used on the horribly deceptive Robotech toy commercials from Matchbox.
Wow that is awesome! I’ve never seen one before and now I want one.
Pretty cool toy box.
That’s an amazing find, Rob! That thing looks really sweet. I would’ve used the heck out of that box top battlefield back in the day.
That playmat is a great idea for sure. If I had that as a kid I would have put boxes on it for 3D buildings.
Wow!!! That’s the first I’ve seen of that piece! Congrats on your find, Rob! It’s gotta have been a Wish Book item included with kids’ furniture as you mention. And yeah, press board went out with vinyl covered cardboard carrying cases and tin lunch boxes. What you have there is quite the rarity!
This would qualify as a “grail” collector’s piece. I’m also a huge fan of that artwork, and the box seems pretty sturdy.
Can You add a pic with a G.I.JOE action figure for a scale comparison? Thank You very much.
I found a picture with a cat for scale comparison, anyway. http://i.imgur.com/JMVpV.jpg
Also, one with a guy: http://www.yojoe.com/archive/nottoys/images/toybox2.jpg
I’d a fan film Indiana Jones parody with this as the Lost Ark. When its opened the bad guys could melt like army men under a magnifying glass.
Added a scale pic. Sorry ’bout that, all!
Grazie Rob!
What are they worth?
I have one and am looking to find a value in it?