Meet Neil La Sala: Inside the Collection
Forward march to a joyous G.I. Joe collection that will take you back to your childhood.
Aug. 3, 2025
This collection is action-packed!
Former Marine Corps reservist Neil LaSala may have retired from duty, but his devotion to the armed forces marches on in his iconic collection of original 12-inch G.I. Joe action figures.
Neil received his first G.I. Joe in 1967 from his grandmother, sparking a lifelong passion. His mother saved all of his toys, and by 1992, he had started a collection of more than 200 figures and thousands of accessories.
He served in the Marine Corps for 31 years before retiring in 2020. For Neil, G.I. Joe isn’t just a toy—it’s a symbol of America.
March forward and explore an amazing tribute to a true American icon.
1. G.I. Joe Action Soldier
This G.I. Joe Action Soldier is from the 1960s, and it's a standout piece in Neil’s collection. Hasbro had the courage to release an African American G.I. Joe at a time when few companies were taking that step.
It’s an important figure not only because of its cultural significance, but also because it's incredibly rare. These figures weren’t widely produced or popular at the time, and very few remain in good condition today.
Today, this figure is a hot commodity and is highly sought after by collectors across the country.
For Neil, this isn’t just a G.I. Joe in a box—it’s a piece of history. And with the original packaging in great condition, it’s a real salute-worthy standout.
According to our expert, this figure is worth around $1,400 today.
2. G.I. Joe Jeep Combat Set
This is a never-opened G.I. Joe Official Jeep Combat Set from 1965. Neil obtained it from another collector and purchased it for $1,000.
What makes this piece so special? The original packaging significantly adds to its value. Loose, the set would be worth about $150—but in its original box, it's valued at around $5,000.
That’s largely due to the box’s excellent condition and the fact that the set has never been used. It’s guaranteed to include all the pieces necessary to get this jeep mission-ready.
Did you ever play with this set? Head to Collector’s Call socials and tell us about your own G.I. Joes growing up!
3. G.I. Joe Action Nurse
This G.I. Joe nurse figure was released in 1967—and that’s where her legacy ended. She was a one-off character and was never produced again.
She’s considered a holy grail item among G.I. Joe collectors due to her limited run and low popularity at the time, which makes her very rare today.
Neil had a nurse figure before this one, but it wasn’t in great condition. His current figure was a gift from his wife, who proudly supports his collecting passion.
This piece is especially sought after now, not only because of its rarity but also because of its condition. One key detail: the uniform’s original color is still intact, with no yellowing from age or wear.
According to our expert, she could be worth around $5,000 today. Now that’s quality care at its finest!
4. America's Movable Adventure Man Sets
This piece comes from a G.I. Joe line released during a time when parents were stepping away from military-themed toys. To keep up with the times, Hasbro maintained the G.I. Joe brand while transforming the figure into non-combative characters.
Instead of soldiers, G.I. Joe became a CIA operative, big game hunter, humanitarian aid worker, and more. These adventure sets marked the transition from the military era to the adventure era.
These items are especially meaningful to Neil because they represent another important chapter in G.I. Joe history. The adventure era was short-lived, making pieces from this time especially rare.
According to our expert, these pieces could be worth around $5,000. It’s truly an adventure of a lifetime—captured in one iconic collection!
5. G.I. Joe State Trooper
This G.I. Joe is an Action Joe State Trooper with a motorcycle and sidecar, representing a pivotal shift in the mission of G.I. Joe.
Other figures from this era included a race car driver, Canadian Mountie, and more. These character sets helped broaden the G.I. Joe brand beyond the battlefield and into everyday adventures.
What makes this piece special are the incredible details, including tiny speeding tickets the trooper can write, a whistle, a rifle, and more. It has many small parts that are easy to lose... and even easier to step on!
This set is especially rare because it’s uncommon to find one that’s complete. In fact, our expert said he’s only seen a full set like this two other times.
Today, it's estimated to be worth around $5,000.
6. G.I. Joe Photo Box Series
This piece is from Neil’s 1968 Photo Box collection.
It’s called the Photo Box series because stores paired each figure with a real photograph of someone performing a military task.
It took Neil 16 years to find all photo boxes in the series. This specific one is from the Air-Sea Rescue set—the most difficult for him to obtain.
Kids often played with it near water: in the bathroom, pool, or elsewhere and then put it back in the box, which usually got damaged.
According to our expert, a complete set like this is worth around $75,000 today.
7. The total value of Neil's G.I. collection:
