( Picture courtesy the great site EpcotServo posted a link to and posted by WDWFigment earlier in this thread )
Okay, so here is a photo from a website that shows what my original plush Figment looks like. The only thing that is not matching is the eyes...this version seems to have the common felt eyes glued on and not the brittle hard plastic ones the original large versions came with. Perhaps this is one that has had his original eyes covered over since they broke? Maybe this doll in the photo is a version made after the one i have, to elimnate the poorly made plastic eyes? There must be a good reason why i have never seen a doll quite like the version i have. Maybe some day i will learn what the story is...my guess is the first large Fig had the plastic eyes, and once it was discovered by Guests how poorly they held up, Disney withdrew the option and released all additonal large dolls with the felt eyes, this now matching all the small versions that have always had felt. Hmmm...maybe that is why. Shoot i could have a real rarity here!
I bought mine in July of 83' and it is one of the first stuffed versions of Figment that was made. He has a real "homemade" feel to him. He is made out of a smooth but slightly fuzzy polyester material, with a sweatshirt made out of actual thin sweatshirt material. His name is in rounded red text ( see photo above) and his back scales are made of orange felt. His eyes however are oval shaped ( think Bugs Bunny) instead of round and are made of a very cheap, thin plastic. Mine has managed to survive all these years but i was one who took care of my toys as a kid. I can only guess that if roughly treated as plush usually was by young children the eyes must have easily broken off. As mentioned earlier, i have yet to have seen another "plastic eyes" original version to date. Not even the photo above gets the honor, as the eyes don't match my version! The quest goes on....lol!
I see a lot of the older ones on eBay claiming to be "originals from 82'". Most of them however are usually the newer versions of the original old pattern ( seated, mouth closed, felt eyes). It is rare to find one that is the real deal. Here are some tips for hunting down a "true" original Figment plush: You can tell the difference mainly by the fabric color: The first versions/earliest versions ( 83' to 84') are made of PASTEL colored fabrics. The later versions ( 85' and on) all seem to be made of more SOLID bright colors. I'm not an expert or anything...just pointing out some observations i have noted. By the mid to late 80's Figment plushes were being made out of standard furry plush material...and incorporated a new doll pattern ( seated, mouth open) which is still being used to this day for the current Figment plushes in the Park.
Anyway, back to my old plush....He was a decent size for that time ( 15 to 16 inches not including horns) and if a remember right cost the heafty sum of $21.00 in 83'. He was considered the "deluxe" model since he was the largest version, and had the plastic eyes instead of felt. He was stuffed with that horrible combination of spongey foam peices ( think of cut up bits of sponges..not styrofoam pellets like Fair prize animals) and fabric entrails. This was a common practice back then to fill stuffed toys with. Over time the foam breaks down and turns to dust...so after 20+ years i had to finally open him up and restuff him. I hated to do it...( he was now no longer "original!") but he was turning orange from the rotting foam inside and could no longer hold his head up. He looks as good as new now.....and you would never know any different.
If i was able to post photos of him, i would ...but i do not have a digital camera or the means to do so. I have never had any luck at ALL posting photos in forums that are mine own. Sorry guys....you will just have to wait until the EPCOT 25 Event to see him in person! I am definately bringing him for the day!
