This is a killer whale of a dolphin prototype:). Here is an original 9 Flash the dolphin prototype in SOLID fuchsia with a white belly. (it is possibly ‘deep’ fuchsia fabric – it would be a dream to compare this piece next to an original 1st generation deep fuchsia Patti). Flash was the very first dolphin beanie baby Ty made, and was released in 1994 with the rest of the regular original 9 pieces. How do we know this piece is Flash and not Splash? The pax hang tag details are its tell – the item number specifically (starting with “F”). There is one other surviving Flash prototype with pax tags, as well as two Splash prototypes with pax tags. Both of those have similar item numbers that begin with an “S”. The pax dates on this example are from July 1992 – squarely in line with the earliest original 9/1st gen prototypes that have strong departures from production, and actually the earliest pax date for Flash prototype on record.
Rarity Rank: -.5 This is a VIVID, brilliant departure for a true original 9 piece – While Flash is not the most exciting original 9 piece, she is still a part of the team. And there exists no other example with a wild, full color departure from the eventual production piece. This is another piece that checks every elite box – 1992 pax tags. Perfect tags. Original 9 style. Elite ranking easily earned. And another key reveal in the most incredible original 9 prototype set.
Rarest Beans 