This guide is to help the collectors in identifying the figures produced during the 1990s by the Plastimarx company of Mexico. Some collectors frown on these wonderful figures, which were cast using the original Marx molds from the 1950s and 1960s, while others love the chance to collect rare Playset figures for a fraction of the cost of the originals. For example, an original Marx Untouchables Playset would sell for around $1000, while you can obtain the 1990s recasted set (which has minor variations, such as no metal parts) for around $50. Marx manufactured a number of plastic figures in small scales after WWII, using the new plastics of the time. The original figures seem less translucent, and were made in a variety of colors, but mainly in cream, grey, pink, and 2 shades of blue. Animals were in various shades of brown, grey and cream. The early figures had some lead in the content, which allows the plastic more give, and Marx was able to infuse great detail in small pieces. Later, Marx were forced to reformulate the plastics and remove the lead content. Marx used these molds again in 1976 to create the heritage series playsets, and the figures have the translucent appearance, easily differentiated from the originals. Marx finally closed shop during the oil crisis of the late 1970s, and many of the original molds from their factories were sold to a reseller in Florida. These molds were sold to plastics manufacturers around the world, and particularly into Mexico. Mexican Marx subsidiary Plastimarx used these famous molds, and produced goods until the mid 90s Mexican economic crisis and collapse of the peso again caused the resale of these famous molds, along with a huge amount of unsold stock. Plastimarx had unsuccessfully tried several times to market the figures in the USA, and had some limited success selling Ben Hur and other figures, but the effort was doomed. Plastimarx was known to have manufactured: Playset figures, including but not limited to: Ben Hur, Robin Hood, Daktari, Lassie, Untouchables, Soldiers, Cowboys, Construction and Space figures, buckboards, guns, Civil War figures and scenery, trees and cacti, vehicles, West Point and Alamo figures, 6" plastic figures such as Spies, Russians, German WWII, US Army, Monsters, Weirdohs and Nutty Mads, Johnny West family figures, both in 12" and 6" versions, Rat Patrol, Johnny & Jane Apollo, Zorro, Tonto, Lone Ranger, along with horses and animals, Spaceships, Cereal premiums like the So-Hi figures, Rin Tin Tin telegraphs, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang cars (but they do not seem to have the hood mold), ships, Big Wheel, and numerous other toys using Marx, Addar, and Polisti molds. One of the other lines they had the molds for were the famous Tinykin figures, and Plastimarx produced thousands of the classic Disney and Hanna Barbera 1" plastic figures in white, blue and pink mainly, for a potato chip manufacturer as a in pack premium. These figures were all unpainted, unlike the 60s originals which were "handpainted by artists". After the failure of Plastimarx, another manufacturer wound up with the molds, and later resold the 6" Monster figures mold to Uncle Milton toys. This company also produced the toys sold around the millenium by the new Marx company of Florida. The new Marx toys produced for the US market included Johnny West figures and the Flintstones playset. Sadly, this effort was also doomed to failure, and the molds now sit unused in a warehouse. The present owners are content to sell off the old stock, and liquidate the remaining toys made for the US Marx licensee. They are more interested in producing their lines of plastic party supplies. I have been to this factory, and they have no interest in reviving these classic toys at this time. Keep in mind, these figures are not reproductions, they are made from the classic vintage molds. They are exactly the same as the vintage figures in size and scale, only the plastic has been changed. Some of theses molds were never even used by Marx, like the Honeymooners figures which were never sold at retail until the 1990s. The figures from the 1990s are readily identifiable, as noted above, the plastic seems more translucent and waxy than the classic 1950s figures, and due to the reformulated plastics, there are some breakage issues on thinner parts. They are also sold in a number of colors which were never used by Marx. Lastly, the 6" figures had the original Marx markings ground off, and were relabeled Plastimarx, until they were resold again, and the later production in completely unmarked. These figures are a great value as long as you understand they are the Mexican production. The main difference is the colors. Plastimarx produced these figures in shades ranging from psychedelic pink, to gold, even some in vintage colors, but they are still somewhat translucent and easy to tell they are not the true vintage plastic. I have even seen collectors sniff and taste figures to verify they are originals! Some dealers will try and pass them off as originals, but as long as you understand the differences in the plastics, you will be able to spot the originals instantly. To see some of these classic plastic toys, please check my auctions, where I generally have an assortment of the Plastimarx and original Marx figures. I hope this guide was useful in hoping you identify marx figures, and happy collecting, Thanks, Mike Ebay seller: laparkamania