Raiders of the Lost Toys - The Indiana Jones Action Figure & Toy Archive

UNPRODUCED PROOF SHEET OF ALL NINE FIGURES ON 9-BACK CARDBACKS

This proof sheet contains the 9-Back Cardbacks for all nine action figures planned for released for the toy line. Most notably it contains the unproduced cardback for the Belloq in Ceremonial Robes and the unproduced 9-Back releases of Toht and the Cairo Swordsman. This proof sheet has obtained mythical status over the years as the "holy grail" of Kenner proofs to have surfaced. It is not hard to see why. To have all nine figures on one proof sheet is quite a site to see especially with the jewel of the Belloq in Ceremonial Robes right in the center. This proof sheet is far rarer than even the carded Belloq in Ceremonial Robes as only two examples are known to have survived. Here are close-ups of the three unproduced action figure cardbacks of Toht, Belloq in Ceremonial Robes and the Cairo Swordsman:

Also worth mentioning is that the proof sheet also contains an alternate and minor difference on the normal Belloq 9-Back Cardback. As can be seen in the picture below the unproduced cardback below the bubble mounting area is purplish colour as opposed to the dark red colour that is found on the released cardback:

The reason for this change can be assumed that from an aesthetic perspective the Belloq figure would not have looked too attractive with a purple background.

This proof sheet provides an interesting look into what could have been released in 1983 as well as proving that at least at one point Kenner had plans to re-release the Toht and Cairo Swordsman on the 9-Back card. Perhaps they were intended to have been included in the cases with the ill-fated Belloq in Ceremonial Robes in June of 1983 ... however we may never know.

From the Collection of: Anonymous

Description By: Innis Mason

Photos By: Anonymous