Spotted this on ebay

[Festivus]

I don't know this seller, I have nothing to do with this other than I thought it was a neat bit of D&D History for sale on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/7-VINTAGE-DIME-...5242215QQihZ009QQcategoryZ19196QQcmdZViewItem

Note the Rust Monster (missing it's trademark propeller tail though) and Bulette? Perhaps GG can confirm that these are the types that inspired him?

 

[Rhun]

Ha, I used to have that set...hell, I may still have that set in a box somewhere in my attic or basement. Now I'm going to have to go conduct a search.

 

[Henry]

I believe you can actually GET these figures still, with a bit of judicious searching. Not saying the seller is pulling a fast one for $5.00 or anything, but above 7 or 8 bucks I'd say it wasn't worth it.

 

[Festivus]

I would buy them if I spotted them in a store, but I agree, $5 + $5 shipping is a tad steep. I just thought it was cute from a nostalgia point of view.

 

[Transit]

Yeah, these figures can still be found in Dinosaur playsets packaged under the brand name "Ancient Rulers." I read a post somewhere that suggested looking in the toy aisle at Walgreen/Rite Aid/Savon type drug stores.

 

[radferth]

I was always curious of the stats of the red guy with pinchers, or the big, dark guy with the club tail and pipes coming out of his head.

 

[pawsplay]

There's an Umber Hulk in there, too. I used to have 'em. When I was a kid, I just thought the rust monster and that critter were both ripped off the same odd rubber monster movie creature, or else the sculptor played D&D.

 

[Tuzenbach]

Though at the time I was too young to care, I'll ask the question now:

Which came first, the 1E Monster Manual or these plastic figures?!

 

[D'karr]

Though at the time I was too young to care, I'll ask the question now:

Which came first, the 1E Monster Manual or these plastic figures?!

The plastic figures. Gary has already confirmed that the miniatures were the inspiration for some monsters.

 

[Tuzenbach]

The plastic figures. Gary has already confirmed that the miniatures were the inspiration for some monsters.

Ah, thanks!

So.....does anybody know WHEN the figures came out & WHO the artist was who brought them to life?