Babe in Toyland with Karen O'Brien

O'Brien's Collecting Toys - Captain Midnight
Posted by toy

With O'Brien's Collecting Toys nearly finished and moving rapidly toward its date with the printer, I thought it would be fun to share another interesting item from the book.

The Premiums chapter is loaded with fun and fascinating items offered in support of early radio and television shows. Only the strongest of characters survived through the changes to multiple platforms, and just a select few appeared in radio, on film, and in television. Captain Midnight was one of those beloved characters.

Captain Midnight was ace pilot "Red" Albright, the head of the Secret Squadron. Together, he and his cohorts thwarted the evil doings of Ivan Shark and his daughter Fury.

For more info on the Captain Midnight's history, click HERE.

Publisher Moonstone Books plans to release a collection of new prose stories featuring Captain Midnight. For more information, click HERE.

In the meantime, here's a picutre submitted for O'Brien's Collecting Toys by the generous folks at Hake's Americana & Collectibles.

What's your favorite Premium? Click "Comments" below and let's here from you!

5/9/2008 4:52:45 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Free Comic Book Day -- For All Ages!
Posted by toy

I received a couple of emails regarding Free Comic Book Day and the types of comics available, so I thought a larger explanation might benefit everyone.

You can really obtain comics for free at participating comic book shops tomorrow. BUT, the free titles are special editions printed by comic publishers just for this event. So you can't walk in and hope to pick up Detective Comics #843 without paying for it. (Do yourself a favor and buy it anyway, writer Paul Dini is magnificent and this series is fantastic!)

If you'd like to see a list of the titles printed for the event, click HERE. Understand that shop owners may or may not have every one of these titles available. Most shop owners pick titles based on their available display space and clientele, but it's been my experience that they all attempt to have a wide variety available so that readers of any age will find a title they'll enjoy.

One of the titles I recommend for young readers tomorrow is Owly & Friends. Published by Top Shelf, this 32-page comic features the wordless adventures of Owly by Andy Runton. I met Andy at Comic-Con a few years ago -- he's a talented, sweet guy who loves comics -- and it really shows in his work.

Here's the cover:

Have fun! Let me know what titles you picked up on Free Comic Book Day by clicking "Comments" below!

5/2/2008 1:53:54 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Free Comic Book Day -- May 3!
Posted by toy

"You mean there's a day when you can walk into a comic book shop and they'll hand you free comic books?"

"Yep. The comic publishers print special comic books containing some of their most popular characters and comic shop owners make them available for visitors to take -- for free."

I know it sounds too good to be true, but Free Comic Book Day is now an annual event that takes place the first week of May. This Saturday, May 3, head to your local comic book store and check out the amazing selection of comics for readers of all ages and abilities. There are plenty of kid-friendly titles, and if you haven't read a comic book since you were a kid, you'll be amazed at the production quality and artistry of today's comics.

To find a comic book shop in your area, click HERE to use Diamond's Comic Shop Locator Service. Just type in your zip code, and it will find shops close to home. Be sure to phone the shop and ask for their hours of operation.

For more information on Free Comic Book Day, click HERE. You'll find reports from last year's events from comic shops around the country, and everything you'd want to know about this year's festivities.

I'm heading out to Galaxy Comics & Games in Stevens Point, Wis. Which shop are you visiting? Click "Comments" below and let me know!

5/1/2008 5:00:50 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Toyland News: Address Change
Posted by toy

With the changes to the Antique Trader Web site (home of this blog), the address for Babe in Toyland has changed. Please update your Favorites to this address:

http://blog.antiquetrader.com/toyland

I apologize for the inconvenience, and thank all of you for continuing to read my adventures in Toyland.

Have a great weekend!

4/25/2008 10:21:20 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Toyland News: Stan Lee Podcast
Posted by toy

Every now and again, whilst diligently working away in my cubicle, someone cool will arrive at my desk with something cool. It could be Comics Buyer's Guide Editor Brent Frankenhoff with a fresh stack of comics for me to review, or it could be Old Cars Weekly Editor Angelo VanBogart with a copy of the latest issue. I never know who will show up with some cool tidbit of news or trivia or matter of punctuation that only dedicated wordies geek over.

Yesterday, it was Comics Buyer's Guide Senior Editor Maggie Thompson who dropped by with the fun.

"I'm scheduling a Podcast interview for tomorrow -- are you free during lunch to help?" she asked.

"Well, not really, I'm on deadline and have a million things going on tomorrow," I stupidly replied.

She tilted her head slightly and said, "I'm interviewing Stan Lee. He has a new book project out."

It's amazing how fast one's schedule can clear itself!!

Maggie conducted the interview as I offered a small bit of technical assistance and sat back to enjoy their conversation. I mean, who would pass up the chance to hear Stan Lee talk about his latest projects? He's so full of energy at 85-years-young, that you can't help but be inspired by him. And then there's that stunning career of his -- you know, creating Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, etc. -- Stan's been inspiring me since I was a kid.

The interview will be up on the Podcast section of the Comics Buyer's Guide website later this afternoon. Just click on the link to the left to go to the CBG site, the Podcast link is on the left side of the page. One of my favorite moments is Stan explaining that he's off to the movie studio later today to film his cameo in the upcoming Hulk movie!

Thanks yet again for the inspiration Stan, I'm going back to diligent pursuits in my cubicle.

Excelsior!

4/10/2008 1:32:20 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Japanese Tin Cars
Posted by toy

All that talk of car washes and drives in the country sure had me ready for Spring -- until it snowed this week. There's probably only six more weeks (or so) of winter weather left, and despite the signs elsewhere in the nation that Spring has indeed arrived -- cherry blossoms in Washington D.C., Major League Baseball games, etc. -- I was determined not to fall victim to Spring Fever. Until I started working on the Vehicles chapter of O'Brien's Collecting Toys, that is.

Usually, the next best thing to enjoying real cars is to be surrounded by toy cars. But for those engulfed by Spring Fever, the toys can taunt!

Take this 1964 Buick Riviera, for example:

Made by Haji, this Japanese Tin Car has opening doors, a removable top, foldable seats, and an operable side window. In mint condition with its mint box, the toy is worth about $600. (Photo courtesy Ron Smith)

See what I mean?!!

How has Spring Fever affected you? Click "Comments" below and let's hear all about it!

4/10/2008 8:54:32 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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The Trivia Invasion
Posted by toy

The world's largest trivia contest will hold its 39th annual event in Stevens Point, Wisc. April 11-13. The 54-hour contest broadcasts its questions on WWSP 90FM radio starting at 6pm on Friday and the station does have an Internet feed, so if you're a trivia junkie, listen in and test your skills.

I don't play on a trivia team myself, but tend to stay glued to the radio during the weekend because the questions are always interesting. Best of luck to everyone participating!

4/8/2008 9:52:30 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Michael Uslan Podcast
Posted by toy

Maggie Thompson's good friend Michael Uslan (executive producer of the Batman films and the forthcoming The Spirit) took a few minutes to talk to her about the debut this Saturday night of his new documentary, The Legends Behind the Comic Books, at the Garden State Film Festival.

Uslan captures interviews with legendary comic book creators in this documentary, and he speaks with such genuine affection about these unmistakably influential creators, that I'm sorry I won't be in New Jersey to see the debut. But...his interview with Maggie is posted to the Comics Buyer's Guide website as a Podcast, and that's the next best thing!

Will he release the documentary to DVD? Listen to the Podcast and find out!

4/4/2008 11:36:36 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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New London Farm Toy Show
Posted by toy

Warm weekend weather carries with it the promise of getting outside to wash my car – and I can’t wait. Weekly winter trips to the automated car wash are a fact of life here in the salt-spreading Midwest, where frigid temperatures halt any notions of drawing a soapy bucket of water, uncoiling the garden hose, and enjoying the task myself.

Of course, all car-washing duties must be completed on Saturday, because on Sunday my spotless car and I are braving the Central Wisconsin backroads and venturing to New London for the annual farm toy show. It’s been several years since I attended this show, and I’m eager to meet the dealers and find some toys.

Here’s the info:

New London FFA Alumni 12th Annual Farm Toy and Craft Show and Sale

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Crystal Falls Banquet Hall

1500 Handschke Dr.

Time: 9am to 3 pm

For more info call: (715) 752-4247

Are you headed over to New London on Sunday? Click "Comments" below and let's hear what's on your farm toy "wish list."

Toy Shows

4/4/2008 11:10:09 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Aurora Model Kits and Comics
Posted by toy

While reading the Forum over at Comics Buyer's Guide, I came across a conversation regarding Aurora model kits from the 1960s and 1970s. It's always fun when one interest (comics in this example) crosses over to encompass another interest (model kit building).

Click HERE to read this thread.

Craig Shutt, a.k.a. "Mr. Silver Age" has a fabulous collection of Aurora super hero kits that he built as a kid, so be sure to scroll down the page and check out the photo of them displayed on the shelf in his office.

What are they worth? Built kits, whether they are figures or planes or cars, tend not to be worth much in terms of money. Unbuilt kits still sealed in their mint boxes are the ticket to financial fabulousness in this hobby. And the current edition of Toys & Prices just so happens to have an entire chapter devoted to model kits (popular characters, primarily).

Here are a few mint-in-package values for Aurora super hero kits:

Superman, 1963, $425

Superman, Comic Scenes 1974, $66

Batman, 1964, $275

Batman, Comic Scenes, 1974, $90

Captain America, 1966, $330

Captain America, Comic Scenes, 1974, $145

Hulk, 1966, $325

Hulk, Comic Scenes, 1974, $110

Robin, 1966, $165

Robin, Comic Scenes, 1974, $120

Wonder Woman, 1965, $575

Did you build any Aurora kits as a kid? Click "Comments" below and let's hear about your kits!

4/1/2008 5:26:29 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Atlantique City This Weekend
Posted by toy

From coast to coast, there are a lot of shows happening this weekend. The amazing Atlantique City is happening in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and that's a must-see show if you're into antique anything! The aisles are packed with everything from jewelry to furniture, to glassware, to pottery, to toys...you get the idea!

A quick search turned up a wide variety of shows for fans of old cars, old toys, and comics. It's going to be a gorgeous weekend, so find a local show and enjoy the day.

California

March 29 & 30, Pleasanton. 26th ALL AMERICAN GET-TOGETHER Fairgrounds - Pleasanton. All years American Powered Cars & Trucks. Vendors, Huge Swap Meet & Car Corral. For additional information call 925-838-9876 or visit www.good-guys.com

Mar 29, City of Industry . Sat. Comic Book & Collectible Show. 19649 San Jose Ave, SH: 10am-5pm, T: 250, A: free. Frank Zamarripa, 19649 San Jose Ave., City of Industry, CA 91748. PH: 909-444-7955.

Delaware

Mar 30, Newark . Sports Card, Comic Book, & Collectible Show, Aetna Fire Hall. 400 Ogletown Rd., SH: 10am-3pm, T: 50, A: $2, 12 & under free. PH: 302-559-7962.

Florida

Mar 27-30, Palm Beach. 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event: South Florida Fair Grounds & Expo Center, 9067 Southern Blvd, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411. PH 480-421-6694 or http://www.barrett-jackson.com/ .

Mar 29, Pensacola. 1st Annual Panhandle Cruisers National Car Show. Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. 7am-5pm. PH: 251-946-3327 or http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/

Mar 29, Vero Beach. 31st Annual Antiques Auto Show. Riverside Park. SP: Indian River Reg.-AACA. Clark Ballard, 1115 Buckhead Dr. SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968. PH: 772-567-8920.

Mar 29, Leesburg. Motorcycle & Classic Car Cruise In. Gator Harley-Davidson, 1745 US Hwy. 441. 4pm-8pm. PH: 352-787-8050 or www.Gatorharley.com

Mar 30, Ocala. Live Oak Carriage & Car Show. Hosted by Kingdom Of The Sun Region AACA. S.W. 110th Ave, 1.4 miles South of HWY 40. Vehicles model years 1975 & older are invited to participate in 10 different classes. Registration closes at 11:30am prizes awarded at 3pm. For more information call Carolyn Smith 352-368-3880 or email: skiss1937@embarqmail.com . http://www.cailiveoak.com/ .

Hawaii

Mar 30, Honolulu . Wiki Wiki One Day Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show, Blaisdell Center Hawaii Suites. 777 Ward Ave., SH: 10:30am-4:30pm, A: $3.50., kids 7-11 $2. Ilene Wong, PH: 808-941-9754.

Illinois

Mar 30, Wheaton. 17th Annual B.O.P.C. Swap (Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac) at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL. For information call Dave Pastrick at 630-357-8083 or Rich Barnas at 708-481-7973

Mar 30, Countryside. Collector’s Classic Toy Show. Park Place, 6240 Joliet Rd. 10am-2pm, A: $6. Jim Welytok, PH: 262-246-7171 or http://www.uniqueeventsshows.com/

Indiana

Mar 30, Indianapolis . Super Sunday Indy Automotive Swap Meet & Car & Truck Sale. Indiana State Fairgrounds, West Pavilion, 1202 E. 38th St. 8am-3pm. PH: 708-563-4300 or http://www.supersundayindy.com/

Mar 30 Ft. Wayne . Comic & Sci-Fi Convention, Don Hall’s Guesthouse. Conference Center, 1313 W. Washington Ctr. Rd., I-69 exit 111, SH: 10am-4pm, T: 39-8', F: $55., A: $3., 6 & under free. Jeff Harper, PO Box 24, Uniontown, OH 44685. PH: 330-499-6056.

Iowa

Mar 30, Marshalltown. 35th Annual Swap Meet. Marshall Cty. Fairgrounds. 7am-1pm. SP: Area Restorers Region, Inc.-AACA. Marshalltown Area Restorers, PH: 641-753-5839, 752-3041 or 319-345-2306.

March 28 & 29, Dyersville: 7th Annual Midwest Toy Truck & Construction Show at the National Farm Toy Museum. Hours: Fri. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For info call (712) 889-2961.

Louisiana

Mar 29-30, DeRidder. LA Slow Roller's Car Show. Washington St. Daryl Smith, 1015 W. 10th St., DeRidder, LA 70634. 337-463-8989.

Maryland

Mar 30, Aberdeen . 4th Annual Slot Car Show & Swap Meet, Clarion Hotel. 980 Hospitality Way, SH: 10am-2pm, A: $5., 12 & under free. Douglas Keys, 6831 Beaverdam Rd., Beltsville, MD 20705. PH: 301-474-6596.

Massachusetts

Mar 30, Maynard. 14th Annual " Winter Blahs" Swap 'n Sell. Elks Lodge, 34 Powdermill Rd. (Rt. 62 near Rt. 27). 7:30am-12noon. SP: Minuteman Model A Ford Club. Craig Martin, PH: 978-562-2390.

Mar 30, South Attleboro . Toys, Comic Book, Non-Sport Cards & Coll. Show, K of C. 304 Highland Ave., SH: 10am-3pm, A: $3. My Mummy Productions, Harry Martin, PH: 508-384-8491.

Minnesota

March 29 & 30, Fairmont: 10th Annual D&S Railroad and Farm Toy Show in the Five Lakes Shopping Centre. Hours: Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For info call (507) 235-5026.

Nebraska

March 30, Falls City: Annual Knights of Columbus Farm Toy Show at Prichard Auditorium, 312 West 17th Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For info call (402) 245-2797 (day).

New Jersey

Mar 29-30, Atlantic City . Atlantique City Show. Convention Center, One Miss America Way. PH: 800-526-2724.

New York

March 30, Malverene. Greater New York Region of AACA indoor swap meet. Event will be held at the American Legion Post 1 Legion Place, Malverene. Admission is $3. For info call Violet at 718-843-3490 or Bill at 516-764-0611.

Ohio

Mar 29, Jefferson. Swap Meet. SP: Western Reserve Chapter-AACA. David Payne, 3518 Austinburg Rd., Ashtabula, OH 44004.

Pennsylvania

Mar 28-30, Reading. Indoor Rod & Custom Show. Berkshire Mall. SP: Pretzel City Rod & Custom. Mick Dornes, PH: 610-856-7097.

Mar 30, Altoona. BCAAC Super Spring Swap Meet. Blair Co. Convention Ctr. SP: Blair Cty. Antique Auto Club. Dale Crum, 710 Brush Oaks Dr., Altoona, PA 16602. PH: 814-946-4745.

Mar 29-30, Pittsburgh . Steel City Con, Expo Mart. SH: Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 10am-4pm, A: $7. Orangestone Promotions Inc., PH: 814-262-0503.

Tennessee

Mar 28-29, Sevierville. Corvette Expo. Events Ctr., 6 mi. off I-40, Exit 407. PH: 865-687-3976 or http://www.corvetteexpo.com/

Texas

Mar 28-30, Bowie. Auto Swap Meet. SP: Piston Heads Auto Club. Freddie Lebetter, PH: 940-872-9643 or Kato Verden, PH: 940-872-4089 or http://www.bowieautoswapmeet.bravehost.com/

Mar 28-30, Salado. 31st Annual TX Packard Meet. Stagecoach Inn. SP: TX Packard Assoc. Beverly Clark, 735 Ware, San Antonio, TX 78221. PH: 210-922-1300.

Wisconsin

Mar 30, Franklin. Milwaukee Slot Car Show. Crystal Ridge Ski Hill, 7900 W. Crystal Ridge Dr. 9am-1pm. PH: 414-573-8903.

Mar 29 Madison . Comic Book Show, Comfort Inn & Suites. 4822 E. Washington, SH: 10am-4pm, A: free. Alan, PH: 309-657-1599.

Car Shows | Toy Shows

3/28/2008 11:03:06 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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Farmall Super M in Pink?
Posted by toy

One of the great things about taking a road trip is that if you keep your eyes open, you just might find something unexpected and extremely cool. While driving through Beecher, Ill., to the Beecher Farm Toy Show, I spotted a restored Farmall in a driveway. Nothing unusual, given the popularity of restoring vintage tractors these days -- but this tractor was pink! Dad and I continued on to the show, promising to stop when leaving town to take a closer look.

On our way home, dad pulled into the driveway and I hopped out to trespass (just a little and only for a minute) and took this picutre:

Don't adjust your screen! This Farmall Super M is pink!

A little Internet homework provided some neat answers. According to the Illinois & Indiana Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club Web site, owner Tammi Greenwald of Beecher restored the tractor and painted it pink, "to aid in her efforts to raise awareness of the need for better breast cancer detection and research...The Pink tractor has been in many parades and tractor rides in the area. Tammi is planning some long distance drives to help raise money for the cause."

Well done, Tammi. I'm sorry for the brief trespass, but so glad that we stopped!

For more information on breast cancer go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

3/27/2008 6:14:16 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)

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