This is a short guide to the trials and tribulations of collecting Hamilton Action figures of Stewie Griffin, the true star of the animated TV series, Family Guy.

If you are just starting out, at times it can be quite a problem hunting down all eight of the figures. Each was released in a limited edition of 2000 to 5000 starting in 2005. According to Hamilton Action, each figure has been limited to 95 casting days and is hand painted & crafted with fine detail. (Stewie's hairs are actual black wires! on several of the statues.) As well, each has been hand-numbered and includes a matching Certificate of Authenticity stating it's unique number within the limited edition. Purchasing direct from them is problematic (you've been warned!). So for the beginning collector, comic shops will be the best first place to inquire, as some outlets may have a small amount of stock of the most recent releases. But, you will shortly find yourself searching on eBay and other auction & collector web sites as soon as you are properly infected with the Stewie "bug".

Here is a list of those that have been released to date as of May 15th, 2006
[I shall be adding precise release dates later ... there is some conflicting information to sort out ... ie. statue number & dates not in synch for some reason. Note that on the Hamilton Action website there are different numbers for the few statues they show from those product codes on the actual boxes. Also, as time permits, expanded descriptions and photos ... once I figure out how to insert photos that].

• # 1 : TIME TO BE BAD ... [high chair/ray gun figure] Ltd. to 2,000 April 27, 2005
  Hamilton Action Collection - Item No. 09-12767-001



• # 2 : YOUR UPPANCE SHALL COME ... [THE DEVICE figure] Ltd. to 2,500 April 27, 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-002



• # 3 : QUICK AND PAINLESS ... [Death figure] Ltd. to 3,000 May 25, 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-003



• # 4 : FOR EVERY SPRINKLE ... [Halloween figure] Ltd. to 3,500 October 27, 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-004



• # 5 : IMPEDED ME FOR THE LAST TIME ... [Ninja figure] Ltd. to 3,000 May 25, 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-005



• # 6 : SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES ... [Napoleon figure] Ltd. to 4,500 October 26, 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-006



• # 7 : THIS IS STEWIE COUNTRY ... [Gen. MacArthur figure] Ltd. to 5000 No Date of Release Yet
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-007



• # 8 : TOYS FOR TODDLERS ... [Santy figure] Ltd. to 5500 Late 2005
  Hamilton Collection - Item No. 09-12767-008

The most recent statues are "For Every Sprinkle" and "Toys for Toddlers" statues, which even though the release dates were for Oct-Dec.2005, are only now being received by comic shops and other re-sellers.

The hardest statue to obtain info on and aquire seems to be "This is Stewie Country" ... indications so far are that it is not offered on the auctions or elsewhere very often and it was only by luck that I was able to purchase one recently. Sadly it did not come in the original box and so the release data was not available for me to pass on. This shall be forthcoming.

Most of the others are seen fairly regularly with prices varying from $20.00US to as high as $50.00US on eBay and comic shops. Be prepared for some feisty bid-fights on eBay ... Stewie causes wild reactions in most folks' normally calm demeanor when it comes to aquiring missing items!!

Originally each figure came in a nice full colour box with four various photo shot labels pasted on the rear along with, naturally, several Stewie quotes. A large photo label of the individual statue inside is pasted the front side. They are well packed in styrofoam with smaller packing materials to cushion the more delicate parts, easily capable of withstanding a small nuclear explosion as seems to be the potiental problem whenever our little demented genius makes an appearance. A plastic envelope is taped to the outside of the foam box and contains a signed limited edition certificate noting the figure's specific number in the edition plus a "return" mail card for just in case your statue is damaged in shipment ... this may be only valid for the original purchaser from Hamilton Action; but I'm not sure yet.

Check with your seller to see if the original box, packing and certificate is included ... sometimes the box will be missing or damaged ... but note that the foam housing is quite effective in protecting the little fellows, so don't let that stop you from jumping for a good price on a figure in a damaged box or without the original and re-parcelled. There are now indications that some distributors have sold off their holdings to third party sellers and many statues no longer have the original full colour boxes. More on this as information is obtained.

I have been in contact with Hamilton Action (part of the Bradford Exchange group of companies) and though they do answer your inquiries, have been short on information ... you have to go back to them several times to get complete answers ... which is why this guide is being written ... to help save you some time since I've already wasted it!

In the coming months more data on each figure will be included. I'm hoping to get artist, colourist, and other manufacturing data gathered in time so we can all have fun with it and further our senseless march into our own Uppance!

Admittedly the most important piece of information for Stewie fans right now is what was found out about the new Quahog Road Hogs Collection mentioned on their web site. They have a very nice page on a Stewie "Born to Conquer" figure ... it is really a wonder to behold and would easily have been counted as the best figure they "would" have produced based on the little war-like dumpling. Go take a look ... you will be impressed. This is something to, as Stewie put it once, "kill for"!

But ... if you click on "Buy Now" ... sadly ... you are given the message that "The item you're looking for is no longer available".

This is not true ... in fact ... according to Hamilton Action's response to my several emails, and I quote:
"We are always pleased to hear from our clients and appreciate you giving us the opportunity to be of assistance. As per your inquiry, our records show that the BORN TO CONQUER was never made. We do apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you."

A few days later, Hamilton Action Customer Service wrote in response to a further request for clarification:
"As per your inquiry, we do apologize that the collectible was not made, unfortunately, we do not make those decisions, the manufacturer does."

Okay. Who is this "manufacturer"? This and other questions beg for answers ... and it seems no one wants to 'fess up!! Guess I'll just have to keep digging ....

It would be nice if the Hamilton Action website made note of these facts. Just like it would be wonderful if they kept a running "history" of their past creations with full data on each posted for fan reference. Keeping up a website is hard work at the best of times, and one would think a professional operation like Hamilton Action/Bradford Exchange would do so ... but, according to the the small print at the bottom of their main homepage for "Born to Conquer", nothing has been updated since Thursday, December 22, 2005 6:20:41 AM !!

I guess that is our job as collectors ... and part of the attraction and fun of collecting.

The only online review I have been able to scare up is an old one from October 2004 on the FilmForce website in the article titled:
"Tales from the Toybox #18: Victory Is Mine!"

... it is about the first three Hamilton Action Stewie figures and sports some nifty pre-production pencil sketches and information etc. But don't bother trying the email link to make suggestions for future statues ... this Hamilton Action email address is not valid anymore. Anyway, at least the article is "something"!

I am having difficulty including shots of the various statues from all angles along with views of the boxes, etc. Not sure what the problem is ... if you can assist, please do.

Hopefully this guide will expand and become more useful over the coming months as more data becomes available from Hamilton Action and other sources. Feel free to drop me a email with additions & corrections ... as "Red Green" says ... "We're all in this together!"