A salute to Vintage Space Lego

A salute to Vintage Space Lego

Fisher-Price and Lego- 1980 Consumer’s Distributing Catalog

As Christmas time approaches, I thought it would be fun to talk about Space Lego. Mainly because it was often featured in my letters to Santa, but I never got it.

Now, I turned out just fine, Christmas was amazing but my folks would just settle for a regular Lego set. I pined for this stuff from afar.

Space Lego

Space Lego

To get my fix, I would have to visit a neighbour kid who had several of the sets. I was allowed to fiddle with them under his very strict supervision, but he was  extremely controlling.  He was also  extremely annoying and gave me chicken pox on the day before March Break(!) but those brief moments where I got to play Space Lego are very fond memories for me. I was captivated by it’s detail and the amount of fun these sets have. The happy little space men had me.

I ended up with one small set for Christmas 1981 (I believe it’s option C here). As an adult toy collector, I’d always see vintage Space Lego at shows, even an awesome display (See Below) but I never felt it had much room in my collection. I had/have too many interests as it is. I didn’t need another thing stressing my budget. 

However, I married a woman who not only grew up with Space Lego, but it was her favourite toy ever! She began collecting in the late 90s and even though she’s retired, I got to have a Space lego collection, after all, I still couldn’t touch it without supervision but hey, that feels like an authentic childhood experience to me. Below are some shots of her collection when we had it on display in my old office:

Space Lego Collection at PlaidStallions

Space Lego Collection at PlaidStallions

Space Lego Collection at PlaidStallions

Space Lego Collection at PlaidStallions

Space Lego Collection at PlaidStallions

 

Lego Galaxy Explorer

Lego has reissued the Galaxy Explorer this year and the price isn’t insane all things considered. It is the toy I fell in love with as a kid and I’m happy to see it back.

 

 

The PlaidStallions Polyester Pals have arrived and come in green and orange. Be the first kid in the sandbox with our Podcast mascots!

Polyester Pals from PlaidStallions

Do you miss toy collector magazines?

That’s why we created Toy-Ventures magazine, an old-school print publication dedicated to vintage toys from the 1960s to the 1990s. Each issue is packed with never before seen images and information written by some of the top collectors. We’ve got 7 issues and climbing; please check our page here or visit our store.

 

Our latest book is “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” a love letter to cheeky copyright-infringing toys. You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop, On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or eBay (eBay Link)

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Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs and bootleg action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman.  It’s a fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Mighty Gary, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoys, and other generic greats.

Space Lego
#spacelego #lego

 

 

About The Author

Mantooth
AKA Brian Heiler author of "Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings" and co-editor of "Toy-Ventures Magazine". Co-Host of the "Pod Stallions" podcast. Host of the Brick Mantooth Youtube channel, painter, designer, writer, mental health advocate, toy collector, Mego, and Mego Knock-Off enthusiast. I have large feet, ADHD and I live in Canada. Talk toys, not others.

2 Comments

  • Don C. on December 11, 2022

    >I didn’t need another thing stressing my budget.

    Truer words are seldom spoken…. I’ve resisted the lego thing for a LONG time; even though I have a few sets, and a couple e-books about customizing. I’ve always dreamt of re-creating the Eaton’s center space lego display; the one where they fused a bunch of base plates together to make what looked like a hollowed-out asteroid. Luckily I have no pics, otherwise the plans would start flowing….

    Don C.

  • John Hildman on January 6, 2023

    I had a few of those sets. Some of the best times ever!

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