Interview with Toy
Collector: Marc Welgemoed!
Welcome to my Second
interview segment, where a collector answers 13 short questions. The same questions
will be given to every collector appearing in this segment.
I’m really excited to welcome South African
Masters of the Universe Collector, Marc Welgemoed onto the blog.
MOTU!: Before we
start with the magic 13 questions, can you tell us a bid about yourself?
Marc: I am 42 years
of age and live in Despatch, close to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape
Province of South Africa. I am a law lecturer and also run a recording studio
part-time. I love the 80s and everything it brought to the table, hence my love
for MOTU.
MOTU!: 1. What
inspired you to collect?
Marc: I always had
a love for MOTU, since I got my first figure, He-Man, way back in 1983. The
overall look and amazing quality of the figure, as well as the included
mini-comics and card artwork, inspired me to collect more and more of these
toys. When I went to high school, at the beginning of 1988, I stopped
collecting, due to my interest in music escalating, and also because of the
discontinuation of the original MOTU-toy line. I have, however, never forgotten
my MOTU and never got rid of my action figures and playsets. During 2012, I
made some inquiry about the availability of MOTU and found out about the
Classics series and…well, now I have a substantial Classics-collection! I also
augmented my vintage collection since 2012. My inspiration has therefore had to
be my love for the toy line and the unforgettable childhood memories it brings
along.
MOTU!: 2. How long
have you been collecting?
Marc: From 1983…(can
you believe!)
MOTU!: 3. What do
you collect?
Marc: I only collect
MOTU, but limit myself to the vintage- and Classics line. I have 2 200x-figures
in my collection, but that line, as well as the New Adventures-line, had never
been my focus. Apart from the action figures and playsets, I also have a
collection of DVDs, mini-comics, Golden Books, as well as quite a number of
Classics- and vintage figures and playsets mint on card.
MOTU!: 4. What’s
your grail and favourite piece in your collection?
Marc: My grail…the
Holy Grail of Motu, namely Eternia! And Cobus, I think I can share my gratitude
towards you with all the readers – thank you once again for informing me about
this awesome playset and assisting me to obtain it! I will never forget it and
am very thankful towards you.
MOTU!: 5. What
collectors inspire you?
Marc: Well, apart
from you, there are quite a few who are inspiring, like Dewald De Lange, Dewald
van Tonder, Jaun Vermaak, Jacques Bindeman, as well as overseas collectors like
Joe Amato, James Michael Barksdale, Tom Ace, and many many more (sorry if I am
leaving out names – it is not intentional, as I salute all collectors out
there!). I just wish that I can meet some of these collectors in real life,
because they are such great people.
MOTU!: 6. What is
your most embarrassing moment as a collector?
Marc: Hahaha, well
Cobus, you know this one, but let me share it with all the readers…I bought the
vintage “Cliff Climber” and “Tower Tools” on Ebay for an excellent price. I was
so excited about these accessories, but only when it arrived, I realized that,
what I have bought, are ONLY the boxes, with nothing in it! I immediately
checked the Ebay-advertisement again and saw that I made a mistake…but to this
day, it is hilarious and I will never forget it!
MOTU!: 7. What is
your favourite MOTU Filmation or 200x Series Episode or MOTU Mini Comic and
why?
Marc: My favourite
Filmation episode must be “The Witch and the Warrior”, in which an unusual
partnership is formed between Teela and Evil-Lyn. With regards to 200X, the
opening episode was quite good, where we learned more about Keldor. My
favourite mini-comic is undoubtedly “The Search for Keldor”, because it
features amazing characters like Clamp Champ, King Randor, Scare Glow, Ninjor
and of course, the Sorceress. And, of course, the Eternia Towers also feature
therein…
MOTU!: 8. What would
you change about the collecting community?
Marc: I must be
honest: I do not visit collector community-sites very often. However, having
said that, the times when I have visited sites like He-Man.org, as well as your
own page, MOTU Universe, made me realize how serious collectors are about
quality and their love for MOTU. I therefore wish to say “Keep up the good
work” and continue to inspire collectors, and especially new collectors, to
nurture their love for MOTU. There is a lot of new collectors who require
assistance in knowing where to get figures and playsets. Community sites can
therefore attempt to assist them by providing information of this nature.
MOTU!: 9. Forums or
Facebook groups?
Marc: I would prefer
Facebook-groups, as I do not visit forums very often.
MOTU!: 10. What MOTU
character do you most resemble?
Marc: Haha, this is
a difficult one…maybe Sy-Klone. I am always in a whirlwind, busy with
something! Somedays, I wish I have his speed and agility to get everything in a
day done.
MOTU!: 11. Is there
one thing that collectors may not know about you?
Marc: Well, back in
2012, I said to myself, “You are only going to buy the ‘boss’-figures in the
Classics-line, namely He-Man, She-Ra, Skeletor, Hordak and King Hiss.” Yeah,
right! Before I even received them, I bought another bunch of figures, because,
if it is MOTU, I find it hard to resist! Due to running out of space (and also
because collecting is expensive!), I now stopped collecting for a while…only to
have bought some of the Super 7 MOTU Ultimate figures last weekend! It seems I
am addicted to MOTU!
MOTU!: 12. I notice
that a lot of SW collectors also collect comics (myself included). What do you
think is the common factor that draws some people to both of these hobbies?
Marc: In my opinion,
comics complement the toys. For me, there is (and has always been) something
nostalgic in holding the actual toy in your hand, while reading the comic and
see that particular character in a storyline. I therefore think that the two go
hand in hand. The comics can also direct you interest in particular directions
you will have never imagined. An example from my own experience, is my interest
in the Powers of Grayskull-line, which, sadly, never got off the ground in
1987. I have read the MOTU Classics-mini-comics that came with Dragon-Blaster
Skeletor, Thunder Punch He-Man and Snake Man-At-Arms, and that spawned my love
for the POG-line. I immediately hunted figures like Preternia Disguise He-Man,
He-Ro, King Grayskull, as well as Tytus and Megator. Later on, I was also
fortunate enough to get the 3 dinosaurs, namely Tyrantisaurus Rex, Turbodactyl
and Bionotops. My greatest find, also having a foundation in Preternia, was
however the Eternia-playset. Therefore, never underestimate the power of a
comic! Look what it brought to my collection!
MOTU!: 13. And
finally, what is it about the hobby that has kept you collecting for all of
these years?
Marc: I can
undoubtedly say, and have said it before, the absolutely great memories from my
childhood. The 80s where the best years of my life, and He-Man and the Masters
of the Universe, contributed probably more than half thereto. To this day, when
I look at my collection, I am taken back to my childhood and the furious
battles between He-Man and Skeletor. I will never never ever forget it!
MOTU!: Well thank
you so much for joining me today Marc. It has been an immense pleasure and
I’m sure my readers will enjoy reading your answers as much as I have!
Marc!: Thanks so
much for granting me the opportunity to talk about my collection, Cobus! I
really do appreciate it. Thank you for being such a good friend and all the
best with your blog. And to all the readers out there: enjoy your MOTU and I
really hope to meet you someday!
