Finding LEGO: What are the limits of what you will bring home?

Steve_J_OM

I arrived into work this morning and when I got out of my car, I passed a ziploc bag on the ground as I walked towards my office. I gave it only a quick glance and took another step or two before it registered with me what I had nearly stepped on: a promotional 79012 Mirkwood Elf.

As you can see from the picture I have attached, the card has disintegrated into pulp but the minifig looks in surprisingly good condition. I couldn't bring myself to pick it up because it's in pretty disgusting shape, but I'm wondering if the minifig would be as good as new after a journey through the dishwasher. I'm one of about 5 people in the building today, so I'm pretty certain that it will still be there when I go home.

So I ask you, good Bricksetters: Would you take this guy home? Have found and taken things home that were in worse condition?

Shib

I probably would have nabbed it, minifigs are my primary collecting point, if i cleaned it up and it looked rough it'd go into the brick box (I don't have kids yet but generic/repeat/bad condition figs are already being put aside)

From a collecting point I don't tend to buy anything second hand, I remember how I used to treat lego bricks as a kid - who needs a separator when you have teeth. But again that would change if there were little ones around to consider.

scrumper

Pick him up. He deserves a decent burial if nothing else.

Bluefairy_56

I agree thats pretty disgusting, I can't imagine it belonging to someone who cares about it. Even a parent of a child would not keep that for them. I'd say it somehow got something inside the bag and it became disgusting/mouldy and it was thrown out.

I would have taken it home and cleaned it up, throw away the card and bag. Then wait if someone asks about it, then hand it over, if not I'd say it's yours.

I bought a pair of jeans from a charity shop years ago, I put them in my wardrobe for months before even trying them on, I felt something in one of the pockets, it was a ring with a red stone. I assumed it was just glass. Years later I took it to a jeweller to get a red glass put in...it was a silver ring with a ruby stone. I had the missing ruby replaced and now the ring is valued at $250 AUD 10 years ago. It was the only find I have ever had.

Steve_J_OM

scrumper said:

Pick him up. He deserves a decent burial if nothing else.

Ha, maybe the likes of The LEGO Movie and Toy Story have had more of an influence on me than I should admit to people, but that is actually one of the first thoughts that came to mind when I saw it.

CCC

Looks like he was just dropped. Grip seal bags easily leak especially if left in the rain. I'd pick him up and look inside and keep the parts if clean.

akunthita

I would definitely clean him up. How could I call myself a LEGO fan if I don't help out a minifig in distress...

Steve_J_OM

Alas, when I took the pieces out of the bag they turned out to be in worse condition than they appeared from my first investigation. A leg broken off, neck separated from head and stuck in the torso, hood entirely crushed.

At least I was able to take his remains out of harm's way and deposit them in a better place (a nearby trash receptacle). RIP Mirkwood Elf, I hope you're gone to the big blue baseplate in the sky.

Thanos75

Is that oatmeal in that bag with him?

legomason

Steve_J_OM said:

Alas, when I took the pieces out of the bag they turned out to be in worse condition than they appeared from my first investigation. A leg broken off, neck separated from head and stuck in the torso, hood entirely crushed.

Sounds like you stumbled upon the leftovers of a LEGO serial killer.

CCC

Thanos75 said:

Is that oatmeal in that bag with him?

It is the leaflet after getting wet.

LegoManiacc

legomason said:

Sounds like you stumbled upon the leftovers of a LEGO serial killer.

Thanos75 said:

Is that oatmeal in that bag with him?

A LEGO cereal killer perhaps?

Pitfall69

I would stop and pick up anything Lego; damaged or not. My home is better than on the street or sidewalk.

goshe7

I was walking the dog and spotted a 1x4 modified brick with studs on side near the curb. Didn't stop to pick it up as I was with the wife and kids. Pretty sure the wife would have to be hospitalized for eye trauma in response to the eye-roll that picking it up would have initiated.

ajm390

Can't say I have ever found anything on the street, but I did liberate a lego skateboard from a geocache a while back.

timt

I once found a http://peeron.com/inv/parts/x450c02 just lying on the sidewalk. This must have been 13 years ago so to find something of that vintage on the ground is odd. I don't have wires for it so I never got to see if it still works.

nkx1

...

LegoRocco

Well, you see, I found a White Boba Fett like that...dumb little me left it.

rancorbait

lol, "What if he doesn't survive?" He's no good to me dead"

;o)

You've at least opened the bag by now right? The poor fella has probably suffocated.