Is my AFA graded ESB Tie Fighter Pilot... a Toy Toni?!?

hanskywalker

hanskywalker

Youngling
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
17
Hello everyone

I was looking through some of my old carded figures today and came across this Tie Fighter Pilot.

I know a bit about the Toy Toni thing now, but I can't imagine I knew about it whenever I purchased this! Looking at it today, I've a feeling it must be a bit dodgy! :D

Unfortunately I've no idea when or where I purchased it, as it was a long time ago. I thought I'd just share it with you guys, cause I find all this sort of craziness pretty interesting! 8)

I still love it though, for pure nostalgia reasons if nothing else!
 

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At least if you'd had it that long you won't be out of pocket , I'm sure it will be worth more now that it was then. It looks lovely -I'd keep it .
 
I agree it looks like a TT, but also agree with the above that it's such a stunning thing that you would have no problem moving it on if you don't want a 'fake' in your collection.
 
jayums said:
At least if you'd had it that long you won't be out of pocket , I'm sure it will be worth more now that it was then. It looks lovely -I'd keep it .
Click to expand...

I agree, keep it as an example of this part of the hobby.
 
Lol!! It's crazy! Wonder how many of these things are out there, or how many got graded.

I'm gonna keep him on my desk now to keep me company, cause he looks pretty cool. Maybe I should get him out of the AFA box and pop him in a blank one.

Would really love to find a nice genuine one some day. I've seen quite a few Jedi ones come up for sale, but hardly any ESB ones.
 
I love the TFP cardback, has a lot of nostalgia about it. I would cherish this one, wether it's a TT or not.

I do own a TT snowtrooper, wasn't aware about the scam at that time, but I don't regret it because I like the cardback and the minty figure on it. It's not always about value, although the scam cannot be justified, but I do like having a carded snowtrooper, TT or not.
 
Definitely, the Snowtrooper has a lot of nostalgia for me too. Bet it looks amazing all fresh and minty! :)
 
Grant_C said:
Yes it is.

The bubble is incorrect
Click to expand...

Hi Grant, when you say the bubble is incorrect, do you mean because there is no bubble number? Do you know what bubble number the TFP should be?
 
olisuds said:
Grant_C said:
Yes it is.

The bubble is incorrect
Click to expand...

Hi Grant, when you say the bubble is incorrect, do you mean because there is no bubble number? Do you know what bubble number the TFP should be?
Click to expand...

I'll have to check.

The bubble is to small- perhaps a Luke Hoth bubble- i cant remember. The proper bubble has more room and a decent gap between the top of the head and top of bubble- i'll take photos tomorrow
 
Grant_C said:
olisuds said:
Grant_C said:
Yes it is.

The bubble is incorrect
Click to expand...

Hi Grant, when you say the bubble is incorrect, do you mean because there is no bubble number? Do you know what bubble number the TFP should be?
Click to expand...

I'll have to check.

The bubble is to small- perhaps a Luke Hoth bubble- i cant remember. The proper bubble has more room and a decent gap between the top of the head and top of bubble- i'll take photos tomorrow
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced that bubble type and bubble numbers are a 100% reliable way to determine authenticity. I tend to go by the look of the seal and indentation on the back of the card and of course anything with a suspiciously high grade on the bubble and card.

I use to have a 45b TFP with a twin stem bubble that was an obvious TT as the bubble seal looked cloudy/patchy as if it had been glued down and it was case fresh.

Last year I bought a 45b TFP from Vectis that came from a Palitoy employee. It had a single stem bubble with no bubble number. Seal looks good and clear, it has an indentation in the card back but obviously not an 85/90 grade.
 

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edd_jedi said:
jayums said:
Did Tony Tony's ever suss out how to do the waffle seal ?
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No, I don't think his iron had that setting :)
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:) that's what I was alluding too ! Even in those photos the seal looks melty/gluey and done in a really uneven way (and no waffle pattern!). Didn't this ring any alarm bells with graders at the time having all these amazing cards/bubbles with weird / crap looking seals ?
 
hanskywalker said:
Hello everyone

I was looking through some of my old carded figures today and came across this Tie Fighter Pilot.

I know a bit about the Toy Toni thing now, but I can't imagine I knew about it whenever I purchased this! Looking at it today, I've a feeling it must be a bit dodgy! :D

Unfortunately I've no idea when or where I purchased it, as it was a long time ago. I thought I'd just share it with you guys, cause I find all this sort of craziness pretty interesting! 8)

I still love it though, for pure nostalgia reasons if nothing else!
Click to expand...

Could you confirm the number on bottom right of bubble? I can't see one but just wanted to check.
 
jayums said:
edd_jedi said:
jayums said:
Did Tony Tony's ever suss out how to do the waffle seal ?
Click to expand...

No, I don't think his iron had that setting :)
Click to expand...

:) that's what I was alluding too ! Even in those photos the seal looks melty/gluey and done in a really uneven way (and no waffle pattern!). Didn't this ring any alarm bells with graders at the time having all these amazing cards/bubbles with weird / crap looking seals ?
Click to expand...

Waffle pattern isn't a clear indicator, as there are plenty of genuine slick sealed MOCs out there. If it has waffle, it's definitely not a Toni, however, slick seal doesn't mean it definitely is a Toni either. For me, the press on the back is the best indicator.
 
Yes agree with the above, and bubble placement is a big one too. Toni always centered his bubbles perfectly over the racetrack, factory sealed bubbles are almost never like that. For example here's my Star Destroyer Commander, look how far to the left it is compared to the TIE Pilot in the original post:

IMG_7155.JPG
 
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