Shades of “Indiana Jones”———After 49 Years Locked Away In a Museum Storage Room, a Collection of Vintage, Unopened G.I. JOEs Is Discovered And Then Sold on Ebay To Anonymous Collector For $5,977!

The bottom panel of this Action Soldier box from the “Dearborn Joes” collection reveals the original price paid for this “lost”action figure. Welcome Home, Soldier! Click to enlarge. (Photo: DHM)

Absolutely MINT USAF equipment set. Wow! Click to enlarge. (Photo: DHM)

Treasure Trove of ’60s NRFB Vintage Figures and Equipment Sets Sold to Highest Bidder

Heads up, Treasure-Hunting Adventurers! Another stunning “Lost GIjOE Collection” has been discovered. Just when we thought every possible GIjOE action figure from the 1960s and ’70s has been accounted for, along comes another WILD story like this. AND… In a clear and definite indication that vintage, NRFB (unopened) GIjOEs are still commanding hefty respect (and even heftier prices) among collectors, their recent sale at an auction conducted by—get this—the City of Dearborn, MI, sold the entire 33-item lot for—$5,977.78!

The Indiana Jones-ish story behind this astonishing vintage GIjOE discovery is as intriguing as the identity of its new anonymous owner. Fans and potential buyers were immediately enthralled by the collection’s ebay listing description which dropped the following enticing hints:

An NRFB “Combat” set from the “lost” collection. Click to enlarge. (Photo: DHM)

“The City of Dearborn is listing a collection of unopened, original GIjOE Action Figures and accessories. The collection was found at the Dearborn Historical Museum (DHM). There are 33 pieces in total; 30 of which are from 1964; 1 piece is from 1965; and 2 pieces are from 1996. The collection ranges from GOOD to MINT condition.  The pieces are UNOPENED! An appointment can be made to view the collection.”

That would have been a cool experience for any collector of vintage GIjOEs. Imagine going into the curator’s office of the museum and being allowed to handle 33 items untouched by human hands since 1965. What a TRIP! Just looking at the photos of the items arrayed on a table is enough to give most fans goose-pimples. Here are some more photos provided by the museum:

Some (but not all) of the collection displayed on the curator’s desk at the museum. All untouched, unused and PERFECT. You can’t get closer to a time-machine than this! (Photo: DHM)

Of main interest to most fans and collectors, the 3 stars of the “Dearborn Joes” collection would have to be this amazing trio of never-played-with GIjOE Action Soldiers. The poor guys spent almost 5 decades, untouched, in the darkness of their boxes, locked away—and forgotten. (Photo: DHM)

Do you have your “drool cup?” You’ll need it when you look at these beautiful, unused, unopened GIjOE Air Force sets from the “Dearborn Joes” collection. WOW! (Photo: DHM)

So…what exactly was included in this amazing vintage GIjOE discovery? According to the DHM:

“The following is a line by line listing of each piece in the collection:

Action Soldier:  1964 (7512 x 350) BIVOUAC
Action Soldier:  1964 (7517 x 400) Command Post
Action Soldier:  1964 (7500) Action Soldier (Blonde Hair)
Action Soldier:  1964 (7500) Action Soldier (Red Hair)
Action Soldier:  1964 (7500) Action Soldier (Brown Hair)
Action Soldier:  1964 (7502 x 350) Combat
Action Soldier:  1964 (7501 x 350) Combat
Action Soldier:  1964 (7530 x 350) Mountain Troops
Action Soldier:  1964 (7525 x 100) Ike Pants
Action Soldier:  1964 (7524 x 180) Ike Jacket
Action Soldier:  1964 (7523 x 120) Duffle Bag
Action Soldier:  1964 (7523 x 120) Duffle Bag
Action Soldier:  1964 (7707 x 100) Helmet
Action Soldier:  1964 (7526 x 120) Helmet and Small Arms
Action Soldier:  1964 (7527 x 180) Ski Patrol
Action Marine:  1965 (7719 x 400) Medic
Action Marine:  1964 (7701 x 400) Communications
Action Marine:  1964 (7701 x 450) Beachhead
Action Marine:  1964 (7704 x 160) Flags
Action Marine:  1964 (7721 x 180) First Aid
Action Marine:  1964 (7715 x 100) Fatigue Pants
Action Marine:  1964 (7714 x 120) Fatigue Shirt
Action Marine:  1964 (7507 x 100) Helmet Set
Action Marine:  1964 (7708 x 100) Tent Camouflage
Action Sailor:  1964 (7607 x 300) Navy Attack
Action Sailor:  1964 (7618 x 120) Machine Gun
Action Sailor:  1964 (7610 x 100) Attack
Action Sailor:  1964 (7619 x 120) Dress Parade
Action Pilot:  1964 (7801 x 325) Survival
Action Pilot:  1964 (7812 x 180) Communications
Action Pilot:  1964 (7813 x 160) Air Police
Other: 1996 (27596/27519) Dress Marine – Caucasian
Other: 1996 (27635/27541) Battle of the Bulge Soldier – Caucasian

These items are in USED condition and HAVE NOT BEEN authenticated or certified, and are being sold as is.”

The Marines Have Landed! Look at all of the beautiful, untouched USMC equipment sets that were included with the “Dearborn Joes” collection. SEMPER FI! (Photo: DHM)

As might be expected, fan reaction to this stunning auction was brisk and the bidding was fierce. Curious about the origins of this unique vintage lot and the addition of the two ’90s figures, a storm of buyer questions ensued. Eventually, the City of Dearborn posted an addendum to their original auction listing, revealing the following additional intel:

The Army Bivouac set was a simple but popular equipment set that evokes instant memories with millions of GIjOE collectors. Click to enlarge. (Photo: DHM)

“Quite a few people have been interested in the story behind this collection. Here it is:

In 1965, the museum curator purchased the GIjOEs (31 of the pieces) in order to make a Korean War Exhibit at our museum. The curator was very fond of collecting various items for the museum. Unfortunately, he did not keep very good inventory lists. The exhibit was never actually put on display. As a result, the Joes and their accessories were left in their packaging and placed into a box. This box was then put into one of our storerooms (of which we have three buildings of items yet to be inventoried). After they were placed into storage, they were FORGOTTEN.”

Jack Tate, the current curator of the Dearborn Historical Museum. (Photo: DHM)

“Several months ago, our current curator began to inventory the storage buildings. He happened to find the box and was quite surprised at what was inside. He found our 33-piece collection. Thirty 1964 pieces, one 1965 piece and two 1996 pieces. At some point, someone (who knew the collection existed) added the two pieces from 1996 to the box. However, the story behind those pieces is not known.

The 31 pieces from 1964 & 1965 have been together since their purchase date in 1965.  After doing research on the Joes, The City decided that they do not really hold any historical value for the Museum and therefore should be sold to a collector who can properly appreciate them.”

The Dearborn Historical Museum in Dearborn, MI. What other secrets await to be discovered within? Pay them a visit—today! (Photo: DHM)

Bottom Line: Our sincerest thanks and best wishes to Mr. Tate and the Dearborn Historical Museum. Their recent house-cleaning has released some wonderful vintage items back into the GIjOE collecting community. Hopefully, the lucky new owner of this collection will keep his (or her) “Dearborn Joes” together and continue to share the story of their unique history and rediscovery with the world. It’s always exciting to learn that such miraculous “finds” as this still occur, so PLEASE—if you were the winning bidder, leave a comment here on The Joe Report sharing your own account of this event, especially as regarding your plans for that wonderful trio of NRFB Action Soldiers. Go, JOE!