Specials
In 1974 Marx issued the iconic Best of the West series of boxes. As a new subsidariy of Quaker Oats, maybe it was a last ditch effort to salvage our beloved 12in cowboy.
Regardless of the reason, these boxes were the first time all of the current figures were issued in a unified packaging. This was a major effort by Marx as all of the figures, wagons, and combo sets were done.
This little page however, is only concerned with the adult figure boxes. For most of the figures, Marx changed the boxes 4 times in one year. I call these Editions.
Regardless of the reason, these boxes were the first time all of the current figures were issued in a unified packaging. This was a major effort by Marx as all of the figures, wagons, and combo sets were done.
This little page however, is only concerned with the adult figure boxes. For most of the figures, Marx changed the boxes 4 times in one year. I call these Editions.
If you have further information or discussion please let me know, Thanks!
- Click on images for a larger version
The Box Elements
There are 4 major elements that were added to or omitted from the boxes during the year that make up the different editions.
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1st is the "Piece Count Box" - this is a stylized rectangle on the front of the box that says something like "Includes 24 Piece Western Gear". |
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2nd is the Age Warning Sticker - this is a small white sticker with red lettering that states: "Caution Not recommended for children under 3 years of age." |
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3rd is the Age Warning Print - this is an actual printed area on the box front that states: "CAUTION: Not recommended for children under 3 years of age." |
4th is the change made to the box ends (see below) |
1st Edition Box
The first edition BOTW box is best described by saying that it did NOT contain the Piece Count Box, nor the Age Warning sticker or print. The box end was simple and only contained the character title and the notice "Over 11 in. Tall" next to the figure head shot.2nd Edition Box
The second edition BOTW box is just like the 1st edition box except for the addition of the Age Warning sticker on the bottom of the front. This was obviously a response to some consumer activism even though the box already had the Ages 4 to 10 printed warning. Maybe the law changed to lower the age warning to 3 years old. But since Marx likely already had thousands of 1st edition boxes printed, it was easier to just stick this sticker on them. The box end was the same as the 1st edition.
3rd Edition Box
The third edition BOTW box was the most comprehensive change. Marx completely redesigned the box ends as shown here. But they also added the Piece Count Box on the front of the box. What I find odd, is that they did not print the Age Warning on the box face, but continued to use the Age Warning sticker.4th Edition Box
Finally, the fourth editon BOTW box was a slight change to the 3rd edition. Marx dropped the use of the Age Warning Sticker and instead, printed the Age Warning directly in the box art. The box ends were the same as the 3rd edtion as well.
So that's the story of the BOTW boxes. It's not proven that all characters actually had all four editions. We know that Johnny had all four, but it's likely that Princess Wildflower never had the 1st editon box as it was made after the stickers were required.
The other difference in the box editions is the amount of the original background drawing they blocked out to make the Piece Count Box and Age Warning Printing show up better. As the box elements were added they had to obscure some .
The other difference in the box editions is the amount of the original background drawing they blocked out to make the Piece Count Box and Age Warning Printing show up better. As the box elements were added they had to obscure some .
If you have further information or discussion please let me know, Thanks!
