Do you know what a variant frame is?
A chase figure?
Dollhouseclub
What's the distinction in the middle of a Super Chase frame and an Exclusive figure?
Not sure?
Whether your new to collecting or been collecting for a while it's foremost to know the difference.
These days there are more and more names being given to the distinct levels of rarity when talking about figures as well as the grading of figures (I cover grading in someone else article). As a result it is becoming addition difficult to know what is available, not only that, but to make matters more difficult some fellowships are very secretive about exactly what is available.
So let me try and interpret for you what the most base terms used mean, but it can get a minute complicated at times.
Why do you need to know?
Even if you're a casual accumulator it's foremost you know the distinction so that you identify an foremost or principal frame when you see it. After all, would you want to swap out that 0 James LeBron Variant figure? or that Dan Mariano series 19 Chase figure?
Or maybe you'll miss an exclusive frame up on eBay or some other auction site for only few bucks.
Ok, ready....
First we have the basic or:
A quarterly Figure
A quarterly frame is just that. It is the most base frame in a set or series. It is your bog basic proper figure. This will be the same as the frame pictured on the box, shown in magazines or seen on the Tv ads.
They are the mass produced figures and end up in the local Wal-mart store. Generally the quantities made are unknown and often new "runs" will be produced if they sell out and demand is sufficient.
A minute frame or Series
A minute frame or Series is one that has been produced to a minute quantity or yield run. A minute release series of figures may have both quarterly and chase figures available within the yield run but the availability and quantities is Generally known.
Often the builder will number the individual figures on the base, e.g. 233/10,000 (number 233 of 10,000 produced), or issue a certificate of authenticity.
A Chase Figure
A Chase frame is a distinct version of one or more of the quarterly figures within a series or set.
This distinction maybe something as small as the color of the eyes, as in Tiffany from the Spawn Series 30 release, or Sarah O'Connor from T3: Rise of the Machines where the chase frame had no cap and windswept hair, or a distinct color uniform, shirt etc.
A chase frame is normally an intentional and planned frame that is normally publicized before its release.
The availability or rarity of these figures is also Generally known with a quoted ratio of its availability compared to a quarterly frame given.
For example a case of figures will normally consist of 12 or 24 figures with maybe one chase frame in each case (a ratio of 1:24).Therefore the greater the ratio the higher the rarity and therefore its value. A frame with a 1:48 ratio is therefore rarer than one with a 2:24 ratio.
The term "chase" comes from the fact that diehard collectors will often search out these figures to add to their collections, therefore assuredly "chasing" them out.
A Variant Figure
A variant frame is very similar to a chase frame but a variant frame is normally an unexpected distinction on the frame or in the set.
Generally variant figures aren't publicized before their "discovery". A variant frame is normally determined rare than a chase frame as the distinction is often due to an unplanned change while production.
A distinction often occurs while the yield of a licensed line when the licensee decides they don't like something on a frame and yield has to be stopped to make the change.
A modern example of this is the Baseball Series 18 set that has two version of Mariano Rivera. The first figure, produced in very small quantities, has the full version of the glass player's entrance door but because this was found to be too big and bulky for the containers the quarterly frame only has the door section.
The main distinction in the middle of a chase frame and a variant frame is that a chase frame is planned and intentional whereas a variant frame isn't.
Ok, with me so far?
This is where it begins to get complicated.
A Chase Variant Figure
A chase variant frame is exactly that.
It is a chase frame that also has an unintentional variation.
A good example of this the McFarlane's Nfl Series 6 Emmitt Smith figure.
The quarterly frame came with a white jersey but the chase frame a red jersey.
However the chase frame was intended to have white gloves but there was a variant that had red gloves, so the frame with a red jersey and red gloves was the chase variant figure.
Ok, got that?
Sure?
Because it gets worse...
There were also variants of the quarterly frame with red gloves instead of white And there was also a Second chase frame available!!
So recapping this series had:
A quarterly Emmitt Smith frame (with white jersey), a variant quarterly frame *with a white jersey and red gloves), a chase frame (red jersey, white gloves), and a variant chase frame (red jersey and red gloves)!
This example is a very unusual case and it is very rare to have this number of distinction of the same frame in one series, but...
Super Chase
A Super Chase frame is an intentional variation, like a chase figure, but produced in very small quantities therefore making it both a lot more difficult to find and more valuable.
Instead of one frame per case it maybe one per container.
Surprise Chase
A surprise chase frame is an unplanned addition to a series that normally hasn't been publicized and isn't included on the lawful checklists.
But there is a definite number of consider however as to whether these truly are chase figures as often they have the same yield run as a quarterly frame but are just last minute addition to the series.
A prime example is the Trevor Hoffman frame in McFarlane's Mlb Series 18 Baseball figures. The problem with these figures again is because there Generally isn't any added facts on their yield run nobody assuredly knows which are a chase figures or quarterly figures.
My best hint here is to keep an eye on the auction sites, online shop and forums. By listening to what others are saying and gaging the quantities and prices available you should get a reasonable idea whether the frame is a true "chase" frame or just a late addition to the set as a quarterly figure.
An Error Figure
An error frame is completely unintentional and often passes through the normal capability control checks unnoticed, for whatever reason.
As a result these are not publicized in anyway until "found". Often even the builder will not be aware of their existence until the error comes to light. The error could be missing paint, or the wrong color used somewhere on the figure. It maybe something missing accessory or ...
An error frame is just that, an error, a mistake, unintentional and unknown until found.
This makes them very rare and often very valuable. An error frame is often a "one off" or in very low numbers and are therefore probably the rarest and most sought after.
Very rarely the error is intentional and "planted" by a member of the yield team. A noted incident where this happened is the infamous "C3 P0" trading card from the traditional 1977 series of Star Wars bubble gum cards where, on some, C3P0 was given a bit of male antinomy. This card now error card can now exchanges hands for 00's.
An Exclusive frame
An exclusive figure, unlike all the others mentioned, is not part of a quarterly series or release and is Not distributed through the normal channels, distributors or retailers.
An exclusive frame is one that has been especially commissioned by a company, business, or team for their own promotional uses.
There are Generally four distinct types of exclusive figures:
Distributor/Retailer Exclusive-Toys R Us have commissioned many exclusive McFarlane releases together with the Nfl 3 packs and normally the first series of baseball figures at the start of each new season. Brilliant Comic distributors also often carry exclusive figures that are only available to retailers through their distribution network.
Many Nfl, Nhl, Nba and Mlb teams have commissioned special event exclusives or stadium giveaways over the years as well.
An Event Exclusive- This type of frame is normally unplanned and released outside of the normal release schedule normally to "celebrate" an foremost event, a good example of this is the Bond 756 figure, the every year Fan fest exclusives or a Hall of Fame exclusive.
A Stadium Giveaway/Promotion- This is a frame normally commissioned by a team or club to giveaway at one of their games or for a special event. This type of frame is Generally not available anywhere else and has distinct packaging, often dated when and where it was given away, and has a separate checklist.
Collectors Club figure- These figures are only available through McFarlanes online Collectors Club, which is free to join.
And that's it.
I hope you found this short guide helpful and I look send to hearing from you.
What is a Variant Or Chase operation Figure?
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