Leonardo

Action Figure
1988 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or Hero Turtles as they were previously known in the UK), were trained by their Sensei, Master Splinter, to become skilled Ninja warriors. They fought criminals and alien invaders from their home in the New York sewer system. Although they fought many different enemies throughout the series, their consistent archenemy was Shredder, a villainous ninja master.
They originated in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984, but became extremely popular after the TV series launched in 1987. By the early 1990s Ninja Turtles merchandise was everywhere and they became part of pop culture history. The merchandise was made by Playmates Toys and began production in 1988. Leonardo was the leader and a devoted student of martial arts.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Leonardo (manufacturer's title)
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (series title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, injection moulded
Brief description
A green plastic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure, Leonardo, made by Playmates Toys in 1988
Physical description
A green humanoid turtle figure with beige chest and a dark green shell. He wears a blue mask with blue joint supports on the knees, elbows and wrists. He wears a black belt with 'L' on the buckle. He carries a brown plastic katana (broken and mended by sticky tape)
Dimensions
  • Height: 130mm
  • Maximum width: 80mm
  • Depth: 50mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'1988. Mirage studios. Playmates Toys.'
Object history
Donated as part of a collection of Ninja Turtles objects (B.156:1-2004 to B.173-2004) by an unknown donor. This figure would have originally had a pair of katana; one is missing, the other has been broken.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or Hero Turtles as they were previously known in the UK), were trained by their Sensei, Master Splinter, to become skilled Ninja warriors. They fought criminals and alien invaders from their home in the New York sewer system. Although they fought many different enemies throughout the series, their consistent archenemy was Shredder, a villainous ninja master.
They originated in an American comic book published by Mirage Studios in 1984, but became extremely popular after the TV series launched in 1987. By the early 1990s Ninja Turtles merchandise was everywhere and they became part of pop culture history. The merchandise was made by Playmates Toys and began production in 1988. Leonardo was the leader and a devoted student of martial arts.
Collection
Accession number
B.157-2004

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Record createdAugust 1, 2008
Record URL
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