What is it?
M*A*S*H: Vintage Action Figure Visual Guide. Coppell, TX: Action Figure World, 2024.
Why should M*A*S*H fans care?
Several companies released licensed M*A*S*H toys and action figures in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This is the first book to photograph and present each of the figures that were available as well as other M*A*S*H related toys and games.
As a M*A*S*H fan, what part(s) should I read?
All of it! While there is a not a lot of reading, there is information throughout about M*A*S*H toys from the era, and there are a lot of color photos.
TL;DR Review
M*A*S*H collectors and toy collectors alike will appreciate this book featuring the toys and action figures that were licensed by Twentieth Century Fox in the 1970s and 1980s. The book presents a full spread on most objects and includes color photos, information, and checklists to use for your own collection. This book is self-published, but the attention to detail and photography make it a must own for M*A*S*H collectors.
Full Review
As M*A*S*H concluded its original run in the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a wave of M*A*S*H licensed products that hit the market. Fans could buy bed sheets, clothing, posters, board games, video games, and much more. By far the most appealing objects to kids and fans of the show were the toys. The action figures by Tristar and the Military Base Play Set are still popular with collectors today, and Action Figure World has assembled a book outlining the action figures, toys, and other collectable objects for M*A*S*H fans building their own collections.
When I first started collecting M*A*S*H items in the mid-2000s, there were several fan sites that listed M*A*S*H collectables and licensed products that could be purchased on the used market. I would print off information or save it to computer as I searched for some of the items. This book would have been a welcome addition to my collection in 2007! When I learned that Action Figure World had published a book of M*A*S*H action figures and toys, I had to get a copy. The book is well researched, well printed, and features great photos of each object. For each action figure by Tristar, for example, the book has color photos, the name of the character, year it was released, the size, and the product number. There are also checklists throughout where you can track items that you already own. In addition to the Tristar figures, the book also lists items such as models by Revell, the Donruss Bubble Gum Cards, Milton Bradley board game, Tristar dog tags, and more.
Whether you are a seasoned M*A*S*H collector or just getting started, this is a great resource for fans of the series. Finding good photos of some of the M*A*S*H licensed products can prove difficult, especially when searching online through old auction listings. That’s where this book really shines. The photography of the objects is very well done, and the information presented will help you as you search for the collectables you need to complete your collection. You can visit Action Figure World’s site where they offer books for other fandoms such as Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers, Indiana Jones, and Doctor Who. The M*A*S*H book has 40 pages and is available through Amazon for around $20.
The M*A*S*H Historian 
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