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 Friday, September 28, 2007
Toyland News: It’s Showtime!
Posted by toy
It’s a slow weekend for toy shows around the country, but two caught my eye.
The first is the toy show at the Gateway Mall in Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s a three-day event and the show hours are: Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm, and Sunday from noon to 6pm. For show information, call Tim Belk at (417) 781-4422.
The second is the 3rd Knoxville Antique & Collectible Toy, Hobby, Sportscard, NASCAR Show held at the Knoxville Expo Center, Exhibition Hall. A two-day show with 200 tables, the hours Saturday are from 9am to 4 pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. For more information go to www.insidepitch.com or call Ray Mozingo at (919) 553-4285.
If you’re attending either of these events, please click on “Comments” below and tell us about the show and what you found for your collection.
I’m not attending a show this weekend, but I am looking forward to the annual Comics Buyer’s Guide Picnic/Spaghetti Dinner. It’s an informal all day get together of CBG staffers, columnists, long-time subscribers, and friends of the magazine that never fails to rank up there as one of the most intellectually stimulating days of the year. Plus we get to “geek out” about comic books all day and Senior Editor Maggie Thompson cooks a huge batch of pasta—now that’s a recipe for a fabulous Saturday!
No matter where you’re going, have a great weekend!
Toy Shows
Friday, September 28, 2007 10:09:25 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00) 
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Thursday, September 27, 2007
Danbury Mint Shirley Temple Doll
Posted by toy
I received a call yesterday from a woman who inherited a Danbury Mint Shirley Temple doll. She had two questions, and while the first wasn't difficult, I'm asking all of you for help with the second.
The Danbury Mint has been releasing Shirley Temple dolls for more than twenty years, so there are a wide variety to choose from. The caller's first question was, "How much is it worth?" There are several references that include these dolls and a trip to her local library was all she'd need for an answer.
The other question wasn't so simple. The doll's box also contained a 5 x 7" autographed photo of Shirley Temple -- but it appeared that the autograph was just part of the photo's production. Her question: did the Danbury Mint release late 1980s Shirley Temple dolls with the photo as part of the included paperwork?
Click "Comments" below and let us know!
Thursday, September 27, 2007 2:35:50 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Toyland News: Speaking of Farm Toys…
Posted by toy
The 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of Farm Toys will be back from the printer in time to debut at the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa, Nov. 2-4, 2007.
It’s the perfect place to unveil the book as the show draws more than 12,000 farm toy fans from around the U.S. and overseas. This is a show with something for everyone, so if you’re a pressed steel collector or a pedal car fan, the National is a show for you.
I’m thrilled about this 3rd edition—it contains more than 7,000 toys including tractors, implements, construction equipment, lawn tractors, pedal tractors, and playsets from your favorite manufacturers. The book received quite an overhaul with new toy listings and pricing updates, and I have to thank everyone who sent in tidbits of farm toy information to make this edition the most comprehensive reference ever assembled.
Be sure to stop by at the National to say hello and pick up the new edition. I’ll be at the Toy Shop table located in Beckman High School’s famous Hallway 2.
Here's a peek at the cover:
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 4:26:32 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, September 24, 2007
Ertl’s New Farmall M
Posted by toy
Among the new releases from Ertl this fall, the Farmall M holds the most sentimental value. My farm toy collection began with an "M" and I’ve had a soft spot for them since I was a kid. That first tractor was made by Product Miniature in 1948 and was a gift to my dad from his big brother who worked in the Chicago International Harvester plant. Discovered by my sister and I at my grandparent’s house so many years later, the plastic "M" was pressed into duty as we set up our dime store plastic fencing and barnyard animals.
The real Farmall M tractor was produced from 1939-52, and was so popular that more than 270,000 units were sold in the U.S. and Britain. That popularity translated nicely to farm toys, as the "M" is one of the most oft-produced die-cast scale replicas. Attempting to collect all of the "M" tractors released through the years would be a worthy challenge for any collector.
Ertl’s new 1:16-scale "M" is a beauty. The engine detail of the casting is remarkable, and the addition of stickers throughout enhances the realism of the tractor. Notice the grill sticker that simulates the silver "FARMALL" plate attached to the grill of the real tractors. If you’re a Farmall M fan, you won’t be able to resist this excellent tractor-I sure couldn’t!
Monday, September 24, 2007 11:30:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Toyland News: Toys & Prices 2008 Update
Posted by toy
Oh happy day! No, I won’t ask you to break into song, but I just might. Toys & Prices 2008 went to the printer last Friday—hooray!!!
Producing the title is a year-round task that seems at times to be more of an obsession. Never before in my collecting career have my tastes been so diverse, and it’s all because of Toys & Prices. When folks ask what I collect, it’s simpler to just say “toys” than to try to be specific.
For example, I’m not a Barbie collector but I own two Barbie dolls, the Barbie as Wonder Woman and Barbie as Catwoman special releases. I wouldn’t say that I’m a Hot Wheels collector, but I have a growing collection of Numbered Pack cars. And I wouldn’t say that I’m a Pez collector, but I purchased dozens of dispensers this year that you’ll find in the Pez chapter.
The first axiom of collecting is to collect what you like—and I am—I’m collecting toys!
Toys & Prices 2008 will be back from the printer and available around Halloween. Here’s a peek at the cover:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:53:40 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, September 17, 2007
Dale Earnhardt in 1:24-scale
Posted by toy
Sometimes callers have questions and I don’t know the answer, so I’m going to defer this one to all of you. His question is in regard to the Racing Champions line of 1:24-scale NASCAR replicas from the 1990s. This gentleman is looking for information on Dale Earnhardt cars from 1996 and 1997.
The Standard Catalog of Die-Cast Vehicles has listings for other NASCAR drivers in 1996 and 1997, but no record of releases for Dale Earnhardt. So I’m opening up the discussion to my fellow collectors—did Racing Champions release any Dale Earnhardt 1:24-scale replicas in 1996 and 1997? Click on “Comments” below and we’ll all learn together.
Monday, September 17, 2007 10:46:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Cool Farm Toys
Posted by toy
As work wraps up on the new edition of the Standard Catalog of Farm Toys, I took a step back from its pages to appreciate some of the fabulous toys I’ve added to my collection recently. Of course, a few of them ended up in the book.
One of my favorites (I admit it, ALL of my toys are my favorites!) is the Matchbox Massey-Ferguson Combine Harvester Major Pack No. 5 that was released in the 1950s. I found it at the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa, two years ago and knew instantly that I’d have to get it into the book—it’s featured on the title page.
I was so thrilled to find the Massey that I didn’t even haggle the seller on the asking price. I think he was a little disappointed! Has that ever happened to you?
Thursday, September 13, 2007 11:52:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, September 10, 2007
Rainy Days and Mondays
Posted by toy
The gentle rain we wished for all summer seems to have finally arrived today. And I’m not complaining because we can certainly use the rain. I’m just glad that the outdoor photo shoot I planned for today was actually accomplished yesterday instead.
The 3rd edition of the Standard Catalog of Farm Toys is nearly finished and I’m wrapping up some loose ends—including this photo shoot. Normally reluctant to appear in the books I write, I’m making an exception with this edition to offer proof that city kids can drive tractors, too—and love every minute. Toy Cars & Models magazine editor Merry Dudley took the image below on her family farm. That’s me on her dad’s Ford 8N.
It’s the only tractor I’ve ever driven, and I had a ball. What tractors have you driven? Click on “Comments” below and let us know.
Monday, September 10, 2007 10:08:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Saturday, September 08, 2007
Toy Correspondents
Posted by toy
Attending shows is one of my favorite ways to participate in the hobby. Because our offices are based in the
Midwest
, most of the shows I’m able to attend are located there. But I always like to talk to dealers who travel to the shows I’ve never seen. What better way to learn what’s going on in different states?
I heard from toy dealer Evelyn Brannock this week. She and her husband are Kansas-based dealers and she offered some insights into the Labor Day weekend show over in
Kansas City
,
Missouri
. “There was a very nice selection of toys and dolls at this Kansas City Show,” she commented. Their tin toys didn’t go over very well, but they did enjoy success with the German vintage dolls and the selection of Farmall toy tractors they brought.
The Brannocks are headed back to the same location this weekend for an antique show where according to Evelyn, “We will again be displaying our tractor collection along with dolls and toys and include pottery, depression glass, cookie jars, hull, Hummels, primitive items, etc.”
I can’t wait to hear how their weekend went.
If you’d like to become a toy correspondent, click “Comments” below and let me know what’s happening at the toy shows you’re attending.
Toy Shows
Saturday, September 08, 2007 3:50:58 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Toyland News: Toys & Prices 2008 Update
Posted by toy
The months of planning and preparation that go into producing the content of Toys & Prices are always enjoyable. But it’s these last few weeks where the project transforms from simply being files on a computer to becoming the actual pages of a book that are my favorite.
Sure it’s great to get the finished book back from the printer, but there is something special about the transformation stage that has a reward all of its own. It’s the first time I see all of the new listings and new photos in place, see the color section in color, and it’s the first look at the chapter introductions and the text in the f
ron
t of the book.
But before I can really enjoy this stage, there is just one more task to complete—I have to write the Introduction. The book is celebrating its 15th anniversary with this edition, and I want this Introduction to reflect the journey the book has taken in that time—no pressure!
Stay tuned, I’ll have more updates soon!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007 7:40:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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