Transformers Artifact of the Week: 1986 Decipher The Decepticon Sweepstakes Posters

Poster #1

In 1986 Hasbro began including glow in the dark posters with many Transformers toys as part of the lead up to Transformers: The Movie.  Many 1985 toys were later available with the yellow triangle in the corner advertising the poster and sweepstakes.  I think most if not all of the 1986 toys started out with the offer, and were then later available without the offer, but I was unable to locate a list of which toys had the offer on the box.  There were 4 posters in all, each a part of a larger scene shown on the back (all four had identical backs).

Poster #2

On the back was the entry form for the Decipher the Decepticon Sweepstakes.  The most notable thing about the sweepstakes is that there were five grand prizes, the famous (or infamous) Hot Rod Go-Karts.

Poster #3

To this day, the Hot Rod Go-Kart is the holy grail of many Transformers Artifact collectors, but it is unknown (as far as I know) if any of them still exist.  I try not to think about them rotting in landfills somewhere.  It makes me die inside a little.  I wish I were kidding.

Poster #4

These posters are fairly rare in good condition.  In good condition they can run $20-$30, even more for mint copies.  I only just picked up the last two I needed.

Sweepstakes Entry Form Back

My friend Zabgoth took my scans and cobbled together the full poster that includes the glow in the dark gray lines.  It’s too bad that a full glow in the dark poster was never produced.

Combined Poster

As always, you can find over 9000 Transformers merchandise items and collectibles at TFMuseum.com.

Thanks for reading!