SUMMARY:
The Spain Mer-Man can be identified by its soft (or very soft) head, pale peach face paint, dark-green skin tones (especially the torso), and unpainted belt. The accessories are bright yellow, and the sword blade is short.
Spain produced 2 different Mer-Man Variants. The 1st edition (Congost) marked © Mattel. Inc. 1981 in the back, and the 2nd edition marked © Mattel. Inc. 1981 SPAIN. Both figures share the same characteristics, except for the COO marking on the back.
The sword has a long handle like a Taiwan (as opposed to short handles like Leo or France), yet the blade is the shortest of all COOs. All accessories are unmarked.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Soft (or very soft) Head with pale peach face paint
2. Dark green skin tones
3. Unpainted belt on shorts
4. Bright yellow accessories
5. Short sword blade
1st Edition - CONGOST:
The 1st edition was generally packaged on Cardbacks with a Congost logo, although some overlap certainly appears to have taken place. Some Congost cardbacks have been opened and found to have Spain-marked figures. This most likely can be attributed to the use of existing blister stock.
2nd Edition - SPAIN MARKED:
The 2nd Edition Mer-Man was packaged on Cardbacks that no longer have the Congost logo. The figure is marked SPAIN in the back.
MARKED:
Congost 1st Edition: © Mattel. Inc. 1981 (No COO)
2nd Edition: © Mattel. Inc. 1981 SPAIN
ACCESSORIES MARKED:
Blank. Accessories on both variants are identical.
