Paul McCartney with Sucking Monster (Yellow Submarine Series 1)
Collectible action figure/mass-produced sculpture in original blister packaging • McFarlane Toys; based on character designs by Heinz Edelmann for the 1968 film 'Yellow Submarine'
Style & Movement
Pop Art / Psychedelia / Contemporary Pop Culture Collectible
Medium & Technique
Injection-molded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ABS plastic with industrial paint application
Creation Period
1999 (Series 1 release)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 7-inch scale figure; portrait-oriented rectangular cardback packaging
Subject Description
Depiction of Paul McCartney in his Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band uniform holding a flute, accompanied by a 'Sucking Monster' (Suck-Elephant). The design utilizes the vibrant, surrealist aesthetic of the 1968 Beatles animated film.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair - The item remains in its original packaging (Mint on Card), but the plastic blister shows significant creasing and warping.
Estimated Market Value
$40.00 - $75.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$30.00 - $60.00 USD
Provenance History
Mass-market retail distribution by McFarlane Toys (Todd McFarlane Productions); secondary market acquisition typically via private collectors or hobby shops.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of the late 1990s boom in 'adult collectibles' which elevated toy design to an art form. It represents the enduring cultural legacy of the Beatles and the translation of 2D psychedelic animation into 3D form.
Notable Features
Features the 'McFarlane Toys: It's an Attitude' branding; contains original character-specific accessories; the packaging serves as a graphic art frame for the sculptural elements.
Condition Issues
Visible denting and crushing of the clear plastic bubble (blister); shelf wear on the cardboard edges; potential 'sticky plastic' syndrome (plasticizer migration) common in 90s PVC toys.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a UV-protected acrylic case to prevent further blister warping; maintain a cool, dry environment (below 70°F) to prevent chemical degradation of the PVC; avoid direct sunlight to prevent fasing of the lithographed cardback.