Monday, May 24, 2010

Types of Coin Collectors With Specialties

Those who collect coins are called coin collectors or numismatists. Are you an excellent numismatist? If it is so, you need to be more knowledgeable and authentic. There are many guys who love to collect the different coins which have good features.

These coins have the brilliant the historical record. However, right now you should be familiar with different coin collectors who feel free to store the hard collectibles to serve the different purposes. Coin keeping is very excellent hobby and you can spend several hours by observing coins which are designed with marvelous pictures, motifs, inscription and symbols.

• In the case of the most common coin collectors who visit different places for garnering beautiful coins just because of making fun, they collect coins in carefree mind without putting much pressure on the financial issue. At any point of time, a casual coin collector can start his hobby. If you are like minded, you can start now. There is no specific time range for beginning this hobby.

• At the same time, you need not pay much attention how to keep the coins in safe if your main object is to make fun by collecting different metal made coins. To be frank, common coin collectors like to find the old fashioned coins which are now useless and having no value in present scenario.

• The next category is the curious coin collector. This type of person always hankers after good and well designed monetary units in the shapes of coins for satisfying the curiosity. If you are fallen under this category, you must follow the guidelines to get the cost effective and brilliant coins of different ages.

• You will have carefree mind to buy these hard currencies from different coin shops. You will have no obligation to spend money to purchase these solid metal collectibles if these are less expensive. You will be computer savvy and you will log at the different sites to pull up the information regarding the originality of these collectibles.

Without any specific reason you will buy coins if you are fallen under this group of coin collectors. Eventually, suppose you are an advanced coin collector and you have the wish to keep coins with much protection. You must own up the responsibility to search extensively in the internet or in the open market to find the best quality coins which will be magnificent and glamorous in design.

The coins belonging to the specific period will be much attractive to you if you are an advanced coin preserver. Coin preservation should be conducted with much care. You need to take the special measures to place the gold or silver coins in the accessories.

Irsan's passion is to write on variety of subjects. Please visit her latest website at homedics massage chair which contains the reviews and deals on human touch massage chair and other information about massage chairs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irsan_Kao

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Bachmann Model Train Accessories - Why Your Collection Might Be Worth a Small Fortune

When you think of collecting quality model trains, Bachmann trains are one of the first brands mentioned by experienced collectors. Bachmann accessories, specifically Plasticville USA, have become collector's items. For those of you who are new to the world of model trains, you're probably thinking, "what the heck are Plasticville accessories, and what makes these products so darn special?"

Bachmann Industries was founded in 1833 and sold specialized vanity and ornamental products. However, contrary to popular belief that it has manufactured model trains for over 150 years, this company did not actually make its first model train until 1952, after it had achieved some success with its scenery and accessory products under the Plasticville USA brand.

Most people do not realize that Plasticville products mark Bachmann's first venture into the model train market. After World War II, executives at Bachmann wanted to expand their expertise with plastic products, so they chose miniature plastic fences hoping to capitalize upon the popular holiday trend where consumers enjoyed displays underneath the Christmas tree.

Bachmann's plastic fence kit was subsequently unveiled in the November 23, 1946 issue of the "Saturday Evening Post". Ironically, the advertisement showed the fence next to a Lionel model train along with other toys made of plastic. The following year, as Bachmann continued to market this "Christmas fence", consumers began to realize this accessory would be perfect for the model train layout. The company, realizing a consumer trend developing, quickly seized on this angle and began marketing its product for model railroad hobbyists.

Throughout the 1950s, Bachmann expanded its Plasticville line to reflect the changing times. However, these items were not collector's items yet. It would take a full two decades before fans and enthusiasts began to covet the Plasticville charm and nostalgia, which then created demand especially among the rarer accessories. This collector's market has continued to thrive vigorously. There is a robust market for Plasticville products on eBay. No longer do collectors have to rely purely on model train shows to find and acquire these coveted items. In addition, the Plasticville Collector's Association was formed in 1999 and still remains the only organization of its kind dedicated to this specific Bachmann accessory.

Although Plasticville 1950s products have become collectibles, the demand does not necessarily hold true for the company's modern products currently available on the market. Today, Plasticville products are manufactured in China since Bachmann's parent company is Kader Holding Company Ltd. of Hong Kong. In addition, these products are not made the same way they were during the post-World War II era, as the material used for the plastic has changed. Many of the 1950s accessories were even re-issued as reproduction pieces for Plasticville's 50th anniversary in 1997 with the only difference being that these products displayed a "Made in China" etching.

So, inspect your collection carefully to ensure it is an original Plasticville product that was manufactured in the United States. If you discover your product is an original, you may have several Plasticville aficionados eager to acquire your collection for a pretty penny!

Gabriel O. Delaney is the author of "Model Train Secrets Exposed" which teaches you everything you wanted to know about Bachmann model trains, including valuable information on how to save the most time and money with this hobby.

To receive Gabriel's free gift, "The Secrets of Successful Model Railroading", and "Building Your First Model Railroad" video tutorial, visit http://www.ultimatemodeltraintips.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_Delaney

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Four Large Must Have Musical Boxes for Music Box and Antique Collectors

Large musical boxes have been in existence since the 1820's. For the music box and antique collector, there are four large musical boxes which are particularly unique and "a must have" for any collection. They are the mandolin music box, piccolo music box, orchestra music box, and the rare revolver music box.

Mandolin Music Boxes

Mandolin music boxes are strung with four strings, which are the same as those of a violin. The resulting sound is one of romance with the notes drifting softly in the air. These music boxes typically are not difficult to find since a large number were made. Finding a music box such as this would be a special addition to the music box and antique collector of inlaid music boxes, ballerina music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and more.

Piccolo Music Box

While piccolo music boxes are an octave higher than most music boxes, if the music box and antique collector can withstand its rather shrill notes, it too can be a collectors jewel. Since some of these music boxes were made with a harmony arrangement that accompanied the high pitched notes, the sound becomes much more pleasing.

Orchestra Music Box

This music box is unique and has everything. The music box is an interchangeable one with bells, drums, and organ. Some even have dancing dolls inside which move in time to the music. It would be a fun music box to have for any antique or music box collector.

Revolver Music Box

The revolver music box is quite rare. It is much more unique and impressive than some of the ballerina music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, and wooden keepsake boxes seen today. David Tallis in ?Music Boxes: A Guide for Collectors states: "Perhaps the most impressive piece of machinery in the musical box field is the Revolver Music box. Invented by Amedee Paillard at St Croix in 1870, it consisted of a set of cylinders fixed on a rotating shaft so that any one could be brought into contact with the comb at time. There are three illustrations of revolver boxes in Nicole Graham Webb's book, one being a fine mandolin box by Nicole Freres. It has six cylinders, each playing six airs; a repertoire of 36 airs without table or drawers. However, they were so difficult to make that very few are to be found."

For the music box and antique collector, the mandolin music box, piccolo music box, orchestra music box, and revolver music box would be excellent collectible items. Why not add then to your collection today?

Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins

Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, whimsical carousel music boxes, and musical jewelry boxes. The company provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages. Owner Monique Hawkins is also the author of the blog "What You Never Knew About Music" http://whatyouneverknewaboutmusic.blogspot.com, and owner of the eBay store "Monique's Music Box" at: http://stores.ebay.com/moniquesmusicbox/ Monique can be contacted at (540) 858-2885.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monique_Hawkins

Friday, May 21, 2010

How do I sell my Coin Collection?

So, you feel it is time to sell your coin long-time collection, or you have inherited a collection and you know nothing about coins and you want to sell them. As with the sale of anything, you want to make sure you get a fair price. Sounds simple enough, right? In the area of numismatics, when it comes time to sell, offers for your collection can vary greatly. The following tips will help guide you to getting a fair and reasonable offer. I will talk more on the term "reasonable" a little bit later. Coin Dealers, like any other profession, number in the thousands. From part-time single person businesses to huge companies that buy and sell millions of dollars of coins annually. And like other professions and industries, we have a few crooks. By following the general tips in this article, you should be in a better position to realize your collections value. So here we go!

First and foremost, you need to know what you have. Why? If you do not know what you have, how do you know you are getting fair value? If you have thousands and thousands of wheat cents, I am not saying you need to inventory them all. In fact, it may not be worth your time. The chances of finding a key coin are slim at best. But you should know how many pennies you have. How? Simply weigh them. Wheat pennies come to about 148 pennies per pound. The same rule can apply to other common coins such as pre 1965 Roosevelt Dimes and Washington quarters as you may just a bullion price on these. For the rest of your collection, you may want to count the number of each piece. Make sure you have a complete list of your collection.

OK, time to contact a dealer? No, not yet. How do you know you are getting an honest one? Before contacting a dealer, you need to do some homework. Does the dealer belong to any organizations and clubs such as ANA or BBB? How long has s/he been in business? What is their reputation? Check out a couple of dealers before you make that call. Also, just because they advertise in a major coin collecting publication, does not make them honest. I know of one dealer who advertises in a major publication and sells cleaned coins as BU/Unc originals. Most novice collectors would not know the difference.

Now that you have done some research, it is time to contact the dealer. This can be done in many ways. You can give them a call or if you are the shy type, just send them an email. In your email, identify yourself and that you have a collection for sale. Include in the email the inventory you completed. This may come as a shock to many, but some dealers will NOT want your collection. Many dealers specialize in certain types or series, or just may have too many coins in their inventory. If your collection is an average collection of common coins, you may be disappointed to learn that many, if not all of the big dealers simply do not want to bother with you. It is too time consuming to sort the common collections and the margins are too small. Do not fret, all is not lost. Many smaller dealers will welcome the chance to obtain your collection. Many of these dealers work in mail-order only and may have only email or a PO Box as contact information. While they may appear shady, these folks generally are quite reputable. As before, contact the dealer and ask if they are interested. If they are not, just move on to the next dealer. If they are, ask them for their "buy price" list. Many dealers will publish a list of what they are willing to pay for certain coins.

After some hard work, you have a couple offers on the table. The offers are not anywhere near what you expected. Remember what I said above about a "reasonable" offer? Here is the painful truth. Coin Dealers are in business to make money. Sure, many of us chose this profession because we love it, but like everybody else, we still have mortgages, car payments, and college for kids, etc. Many people will look in the latest Coin Prices magazine to come up with an idea of what there collection is worth. Magazines such as Coin Prices are really a list of prices of what you can expect to pay a dealer for a specific coin, not what you can expect to get paid. Markups can range from 20-50% or more for smaller denomination coins such as wheat cents. As I mentioned earlier, some dealers just may not want what you have. Also, many, if not all dealers, reserve the right to revise the offer on inspection of the collection. If you think all your Morgan Dollars are BU, but they are really AU, this would make a huge difference in price. Grading is highly subjective. Also, for larger, more diverse collections, a dealer may spend a considerable amount of time reviewing the collection to ensure a fair price.

So, what to do? Take the best offer and run? Maybe, maybe not. If this is an inheritance, and you have no emotional attachment, you can just sell and never look back. If this is your collection of 50 years, well this may be painful. You can continue to contact different dealers and wait for a better offer. If you feel your collection is really worth more, you can always consign it for auction. With some of the fees the major auction firms charge, it may not be worth it. You can also try your hand at eBay but unless you have a strong feedback profile, many buyers will not bid on your items. You can also locate eBay members who will auction off your collection for you for a percentage of the take. Sometimes this works out well and sometimes not.

For now, let's assume you have a reasonable offer and you decide to sell. By the way, this should be a written offer sent via the mail or sent via email. Many times, the buyer may be located in another city/state. No buyer will send you a check until they have seen the collection. If the collection is large enough (many, many thousands of dollars), some buyers will come to you. If not, your very viable option is to send the collection to the buyer via mail. Yes, that is right, via the mail. Wait you say, that sounds risky. It can be, but if you take precautions, you will have no problems. First, package the collection up very well. Make sure there are NO LOOSE coins jingling around. The sound of jingling coins is music to a thief's ear. So be sure to wrap them up well and tight. When sending via the mail, the USPS is fairly safe. Usually, you will want to use USPS Priority Mail. Contact your local post office as you can usually get free boxes. Generally, you will want to use the Flat Rate options as you can ship up to 70 pounds for under $10.00 (not including insurance), but ask your local postal clerk for options. For your protection, you MUST insure your package and pay for delivery conformation. Include in your package an itemized list. Most dealers will appreciate this as they will audit the shipment to the list. If all is well, you can expect a check in the mail in no time.

In summary, here are the tips

1. Know what you have, prepare a comprehensive inventory

2. Research some dealers before you contact one.

3. Talk to dealers before sending coins to gage interest

4. Send your coins. Package them well and insure them

5. Review the offer

6. Collect the cash!

As always, happy collecting!

Keith Scott has been a collector for over 30 years and owns a small internet-based coin store at http://www.mountainviewcoins.com.

Visit his website, http://www.mountainviewcoins.com for a history of US coins, metal market updates and news about your favorite coins.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Scott

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Action Figures

What is an Action Figure?

An action figure is a figurine made of plastic or other materials, and usually based from characters of a comic book, movie, television program, or video game. These are usually advertised towards boys. Action figures that can be redress are referred to as action dolls.

Action figures are popular with boys because they symbolize traditional masculine traits. Today, it is not only advertised as children's toy but also as an adult collector item.

Popular Characters turned into Action Figures

G.I. Joe is the first ever action figure toy launched. It is produced by a toy company named Hasbro. G.I. stands for 'Government Issue'. The initial product offering symbolizes the four (4) U.S. Armed Forces branches - the Soldier (Army), Action Marine (Marines), Action Sailor (Navy), and Action Pilot (Air Force). There are two different G.I. Joe action figure lines: the original 12-inch line which started in 1964; and in 1982, a 3 3/4-inch line complete with vehicles, play sets, and a story between the G.I. Joe Team and the evil Cobra Command.

The Transformers is an animated action series portraying a war between giant robots who could transform into vehicles, animals, and other objects. It was written and recorded in the United States and animated in Japan. The series was based upon the line of transforming toys created by Takara, a Japanese toy manufacturer. It was later developed into the Transformers line by Hasbro. There are also 'Dinobots' - transform into Dinosaurs, and 'Headmasters' - transform into a tiny robot and controls the body.

Batman is a comic book superhero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger that first appeared in DC comics in 1939. He is also known as the Dark Knight, the World's Greatest Detective, and the Caped Crusader but he is popularly called the Bat by his fans.

Superman is a very popular comic book superhero that has millions of fans worldwide. He is branded as the man of steel and is widely considered to be an American cultural icon. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1932. The character's appearance is unique and iconic - a blue, yellow, red costume with cape and a letter "S" shield on his chest.

Spiderman is another popular fictional superhero from Marvel Comics. The character was created by two writers, Stan Lee (writer-editor) and Steve Ditko (writer-artist). He is an orphan raised by Aunt May and Uncle Ben.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) is a popular television series back in 1987. It is originally a character in a comic book created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird published by Mirage Studios in 1984 in New Hampshire. Later, a toy company in California collaborated with the creators to produce an action figures based on the ninja turtles.
Along with popular TV series, and action figure line, the Turtles' likeness could be found on a wide range of children's products - breakfast cereal, cameras, linens, video games, towels, school supplies, toy shaving kits and many more.

Discover more about popular action figures today. Visit http://actionfiguremarket.com now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Oh

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The Fabulous Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid - Top Toy Christmas 2009

The Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid is one of the best selling and most popular toy of the year and is excellent for the 'special gift" for Christmas 2009. It is one of the biggest and most powerful Backugan so far and certainly a very 'cool' toy to have especially as it aimed at the 5 to 15 year olds.

For those who are unfamiliar, Bakugan is an inventive strategy game based on the popular Japanimation TV series, "Bakugan: Battle Brawlers. The series is about a group of kids battling duals using cards and monsters. It pits a variety of "Bakugan warriors" against each other for points. The Bakugan themselves are magnetic, spring-loaded marbles which, when exposed to a metal 'gate' card, burst open to reveal a fearsome warrior. The usual outcome from this is your kids thoroughly enjoying playing and owning a 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid and very quickly becoming a Bakugan geek. and enthusiastic collector.

What is also great about the Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid is that it contains many components offering the opportunity to play many combinations of the game which makes the Maxus Dragonoid very cost effect as it offers so much fun and entertainment.

The set contains one Bakugan warrior (named Neo Dragonoid) and six Bakugan traps (Grakas Hound, Dark Hound, Grafias, Brachium, Spitarm and SpyderFencer.) These pieces can be combined together to form this massive Bakugan monster.

The transformation process is a bit complicated, but the set includes clear instructions which make assembly easy. Each of the seven Bakugan that compose Dragonoid can be used individually in the strategy game. The set includes a special ability card, which comes in handy when planning a strategy to topple the enemy. However, to play Bakugan properly, several other Bakugan marbles/cards are needed. These are not included in this package. Kids who are new to Bakugan might be better off with one of the various starter packs and then build their collection.

What's in the Box: One Bakugan warrior, 6 Bakugan traps, ability card and metal gate card. A little note for parents and kids: There are 3,342 Bakugan items available comprising of action figures, games and battle sets. So kids get your Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid and join the battle

For lots more information on the Bakugan Maxus Dragonoid and other Bakugan toys visit http://www.squidoo.com/bakugan-7-in-1-maxus-dragonoid, one of the hottest toys in town.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Saunders

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Collecting Marx Toy Soldiers, Action Figures and Playsets - Classic Toys from Louis Marx and Company

Do an instant survey about things collectors usually collect, and for sure, you would come up with a list that would include toy soldiers and playsets from toy manufacturer, Louis Marx and Company. No wonder about it. Collecting Marx action figures is one of the most popular hobbies and past times of some people, especially those men who spent their childhood years playing with Marx toys.

If little girls were so fond of their Barbie dolls and their mini-kitchen playsets, little boys back in the day were into playing with toy soldiers made by Marx. To some, the action toys are trademarks of being a boy, underlining adventuring, bravery and extreme physical abilities.

It would be noteworthy to know the origin of Marx action figures. To begin with, the toy soldiers were designed and manufactured by toy maker Louis Marx and Company. The firm was one of the oldest toy companies and was primed to become the world's largest toy manufacturer in the 1950s. Louis Marx was the man behind the company and the toy soldiers, action figures and playsets. He was a United States-born toy assembler who had been into toy making since his youth. He started his career by working as staff, and later as a manager, at Ferdinand Strauss, a maker of mechanical toys.

Louis entered the US Army as a private soldier in 1918. Two years after, he resumed private citizenship and revived his career in toy making. Louis was so attached to his military life that he named all his sons from the names of the generals he knew. He later proceeded to establish Louis Marx and Company and made a mark by having his own trademark figures.

In the 1930s to early 1940s, the toys were made of metal alloys. But because the onset of World War II prompted the US and European countries to spare metal reserves to give way to the manufacturing of military weapons, plastic versions of the action figures started entering the market in the late 1940s.

Collecting Marx action figures certainly is one of the most interesting and worthwhile hobbies people can do today. Though the action toys can be considered novelty objects nowadays, they surely are still hot collectibles. Some say that people would never grow tired of the toy soldiers and playsets as long as there is always thrilling battles to be waged between the forces of good and evil.

You can find terrific deals on Marx toy soldiers and Marx playsets at: http://toysoldiers.collectiblesnook.com/

Jenni Kerala is a writer, collector and Ebay addict who loves to find interesting and beautiful collectibles - especially vintage and antique items - on the online marketplace.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenni_Kerala

Monday, May 17, 2010

Toys For Girls - Top 5 Toys to Encourage Creative Play For Girls

Even in these modern times, it's hard to deny the fact that boys and girls enjoy playing with different types of toys from a young age. While you're likely to find a little boy playing with cars or action figures, it's more likely that little girls will enjoy playing with dolls, cute animal figures and anything that helps them imitate their mothers.

If you're stuck for gift ideas for a little girl this article will give you a starting point in helping you decide on the perfect present. Remember to take into account the personality of the child you're buying for. Some little girls may be quiet and creative and love a craft set, whereas others may be more outgoing and prefer a more sociable toy that can be enjoyed with other friends.

There are several categories of toys that are perennial favorites with girls for year after year and the most popular of these are listed below:

1. Dolls

There's nothing that a little girl loves more than a baby doll to take care of and mother like a real baby. Dolls have been the toy of choice for little girls for hundreds of years, ranging from handmade rag dolls to expensive porcelain collector's items to modern plastic dolls with their own sets of outfits and accessories.

Once a girl has a favorite dolly there's no shortage of gift ideas as there are many accessories and toys designed for the purpose of being played with alongside dolls - doll's prams, doll's clothes, play tea sets and so on.

2. Doll's Houses

Another favorite of little girls for generations, doll's houses can range from simple cardboard boxes to expensive wooden replicas of real houses, complete with miniature furniture. Children love creating a make-believe world in the doll's house and this type of play is great for encouraging imaginative thinking. Doll houses are a gift that can last for many years, passed down from mother to daughter and doll's house accessories are highly collectible.

3. Pretend-Play Sets

Little girls love to copy their mothers and this type of play is very important for emotional and social development. Cooking and food is a very popular theme for play sets - children love pretending to prepare food and then feeding it to their dolls and teddies. Other popular themes are based around occupations - your child can be a nurse today, a teacher tomorrow and a vet the day after! Children will naturally play these games without any props but a suitable play set can prompt and enhance the play.

4. Dress-Up Outfits

Another way to encourage pretend play - what little girl wouldn't love to be a fairy or a princess? Children love having their own dress-up box full of outfits to choose from and don't forget to add accessories - their outfit won't be complete without a fairy wand or a princess crown!

5. Craft Sets

Nearly all children love to create their own little works of art and craft sets can be a great way to encourage creative development. There are hundreds of different types of craft sets available to buy - paint and pens; glitter and stickers; knitting and crochet; beads and jewelry - the possibilities are endless! A favorite craft set can turn into a real hobby for an older child and provide hundreds of hours of entertainment.

For more information about dolls, doll's prams and other toys for girls, visit Doll's Prams World

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sally_Smithson

Vintage Doll Collecting - Chad Valley Toys and the Palitoy Toy Company

Palitoy was the name of a British toy company that manufactured some of the most popular toys in Britain, of which some were original items and others were under license. The company, near Leicester, England, grew out of a plastics firm established by Alfred Edward Pallett in 1909 and became one of Britain's leading toy manufacturers. Some of their most famous toys included:

o Action Man

o Action Force

o Tiny Tears Baby Dolls

o Pippa

o Tressy

o Star Wars figures

o Care Bears

British Xylonite bought the Cascelloid Company in 1931 and created the trademark "Palitory" in 1935 for their toy division. Alfred Edward Pallet founded the Cascelloid Company in 1909 to produce celluloid and fancy goods. They produced their first doll in 1925.

Injection molding was developed by British Xylonite in 1941 and was used for the Palitoy toy ranges.

Palitory was sold to General Mills in 1968 and became the Palitory Company in 1980 when Palitory, Denys Fisher and Chad Valley broke away from General Mills. Their business closed in 1984. Hasbro bought the factory, toy molds and copyrights from whom they had been a major licensee.

Action Man

Action Man was a doll marketed as "moveable fighting man," and as with Hasbro's G.I. Joe in the U.S. (of which was licensed copy) no mention was ever made of the figure being a doll. It was unseemly for boys to be playing with dolls in the 1960's.

Action Man was originally produced and sold in the United Kingdom and Australia by Palitoy Ltd of Coalville, Leicestershire from 1966 until 1984. Action Man and accessories were originally based on the Hasbro (US) 1964 G.I. Joe. The first Action Man figures were "Action Soldier," "Action Sailor" and "Action Pilot." They were all available in the four original hair colors of blonde, auburn, brown and black. Their outfits depicted the participants of the Second World War. Action Man was subsequently reintroduced in 1993, based on the GI Joe Hall of Fame figure of that time.

The action figure featured changeable clothes with various uniforms to suite different purposes which eventually created global popularity for this type of toy.

Chad Valley Toys was a long-established brand of toys in the United Kingdom and was one of the UK's leading toymakers for most of the 20th century. It closed several factories in the 1970s and was taken over by Palitoy in 1978.

Chad Valley Toys provided pleasure to eight generations of children, from the present Queen of England, to kids across the United State, Europe, Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand. Early Chad Valley toys are some of the most sought after toys on the world-wide web. Their descriptions often say "well used but in surprisingly good condition for its age." This is due to the fact that there is one common feature applied throughout the company's history and that was to build quality that's second to none.

Chad Valley produced many different dolls. Among the most spectacular dolls of the pre-war years was Snow White, which came boxed with the Seven Dwarves (1937). Every Snow White face was hand-painted.

Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with any of the toy companies mentioned in this article. We do not promote any of the companies. This article is offered as a resource for the Vintage Doll Collector.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about starting and maintaining a Vintage Doll Collection visit http://smalldogs2.com/VintageDollCollecting For a variety of FREE reprint articles as well as special sections in U.S. History and the Kennedy Administration visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Big Pink Teddy Bears

Teddy bears of all colors and sizes have been the most beloved plush toy of children and adults alike since their creation by Margaret Steiff in 1902. Prices of some of the rarest bears today are beyond many collector's pockets. Due to the demand, some manufactures have even gone on to produce limited-edition replicas of sought-after lines exclusively for the collector's market. Ultimately, people collect bears of all sorts simply because they are irresistibly drawn to them.

With the vast array of colored bears available, it's hard to know which is the best color to buy. If you are a collector and already have bears of one particular color, the choice becomes an obvious one. Of all the colors to choose from, both blue and pink teddy bears are popular choices for different reasons.

Due to their color, at least half of the world's population (boys and men) do not appreciate pink teddy bears. Young girls, and women, however, have a different view entirely. In the Western world, the color pink is typically associated with females because the color is seen as delicate and feminine even though it's a color that means universal love - which can apply to anyone. So, it's no surprise to find that pink gifts like bears are given to girls, young ones especially.

The more recent traditional association of the color pink and girls actually developed in the 1940s; prior to that, pink was actually more associated with purchases for boys rather than girls. And, long before that time, the color pink did not have any color associated gender attached to it at all.

In the 1990s, the color pink became synonymous with the awareness-spreading movement of breast cancer. Today, pink ribbons have international significance as a lasting symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Pink teddy bears are often given to women as gifts; for mothers and girlfriends to say "I love you," and even more commonly to baby girls as both celebration and acknowledgment of their birth. Valentine's Day is another popular un-official holiday in which pink teddy bears are given as gifts to loved ones. Hearts are commonly etched into parts of the bear to drive the point home.

Pink teddy bears are not reserved for special occasions - they can be given at any time of the year. Ultimately, no matter what color you choose for your bear, you are making an investment into something that is much more than just a plush toy; a teddy bear is a lifelong friend and companion that is there for you to cry on, talk to, and love. They are a security blanket come to 'life' and as is the case, they will never let you down no matter what color they happen to be.

Angeline Hope is a collector of big pink teddy bear toys. You can view a huge selection of quality big pink teddy bear toys at MyBigPlush.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angeline_Hope

Easter Bunny Plush Toys

What would Easter be without multi-colored eggs, chocolate eggs, and Easter bunny plush toys? Easter just wouldn't be the same if these traditional Easter fare were missing.

The Easter Bunny is somewhat of a mystery. By all accounts, it's an animal that is good and kind and only appears on the Easter holiday to bring chocolate eggs to children. Most notably, the eggs are hidden in 'secret' locations in homes overnight where children then search for the treasures the next morning. Like Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny is never seen and leaves his scrumptious treats in the middle of the night. Because the Easter Bunny is so popular, many children want a memento of him to last the entire year. Just prior to the holiday, bunny plush toys become available for purchase. That's not to say that plush bunnies aren't available all year long, but specifically for the Easter holiday, Easter bunny plush often come in different and unusual colors (like pink) and can be purchased with bows tied around their necks and can be placed in colorful Easter type baskets.

The holiday of Easter became a holy celebration in the second century. Prior to that it was non-religious and celebrated as a pagan festival; with the return of spring, the ancient Saxons celebrated with a huge festival which commemorated both their goddess of offspring and springtime, named 'Eastre.' Over time, the spelling of 'Eastre' was changed to what we know it as today - Easter.

Like the Pagan festival of Eastre, The Easter Bunny is not a new innovation that came along with the modern world. The Bunny symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre but its origins were based in pre-Christian lore. At the time, both the hare and the rabbit were the most known fertile animals that existed thus they served as symbols of new life when spring began. Easter rabbits were first mentioned in German writings found in the 1500s and then the first edible Easter bunnies were made in the 1800s in Germany. These bunnies were made of pastry and sugar, not chocolate. The actual symbol of the Easter rabbit was brought to America by German settlers who arrived during the 1700s in Pennsylvania Dutch country. Next to a visit by Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve, children took no greater pleasure than waiting for the "Oschter Haws" to arrive. It was believed that if the children were good, "Oschter Haws" would leave them a nest of colored eggs. Later on, as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread, beautifully decorated Easter baskets were also introduced on the holiday.

The next time Easter rolls around, giving your child a bunny plush toy along with the 'traditional' chocolate eggs can be an adventure in learning; teaching them about the history of Easter and their bunny plush toy, will make the holiday that much more enjoyable.

Angeline Hope is a collector of Easter bunny plush toys. You can view a huge selection of quality Easter bunny plush toys at MyBigPlush.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angeline_Hope

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Online Shopping For Collectibles

One of the very best things about eBay is that it is a fabulous place to find collectible items, that just a few short years ago, would have been very hard to find. There are so many different categories within the collectible category on eBay. It actually looks to be the largest category that they have. It can be fun to 'challenge' eBay collectibles. "Oh, I bet they don't have scratch 'n sniff stickers..." Yep! They sure do!

The range of items in that category is so varied, the only limit, really, is your imagination. From military collectibles to thousands of different Pez candy dispensers, you can find just about anything.

A really cool thing about this is that you have a one-stop-shop for filling out and completing your collections. You might be a McDonald's Happy Meal Toy collector. Ten years ago, acquiring all of the pieces for each collection was a lot harder to do. You had to call around to all of the different McDonald's and drive around, trying to chase down the whole collection. And if you missed any pieces, you were pretty much out of luck. Now, you can just head straight to eBay and you will have the complete collection in no time at all!

You can also use eBay for a sounding board for finding out prices. If you want to know the price of anything, you can go dig around on eBay for a while, and you'll get a pretty good idea how much you should be paying.

eBay is a wonderful place for both the serious collector and those of us who just love to buy all sorts of different things.

At Quirkilicious [http://quirkilicious.com/] we seek out a wide range of collectibles. We feature everything from Art Deco collectible items to pottery, teapots and Japanese collectible. Whether you're serious about your collection, or just starting out, a visit to [http://quirkilicious.com/] is sure to help you build up your collection.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Robson

Top 10 Kids Toys For Christmas 2009

Take it from an experienced ole aunt, buying gifts for kids today is a hectic thing.

While your nephews' list to Santa may well include a laptop and a drum kit, your sibling won't appreciate such wantonly disruptive gifts. How does the cool aunt or uncle stay abreast of the competition?

You're going to need all the help you can get. Here's a countdown to this year's top Christmas 10 toys.

10. James Cameron's Avatar Game

12 years +

One of 2009s' most awaited film is now out as a video game. Fans would truly appreciate an original version of Ubisoft's game for their collection.

9. Eyeclops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles

8 years +

Give the lad night vision with these cool spy goggles, perfect for any tween with a flair for mystery. Warning: Can get the kid in trouble but includes hours of fun.

8. Cranium

8 years +

Cranium is 2009's best loved party board game, a hit with kids and adults. The game includes sketching, spelling, hopping, whistling and a bunch of other funny acts that the whole family can enjoy together.

7. Hasbro Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet

5 years +

Transformers, a legend that cuts across generations. Hasbro Transformers Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet is one of the sweetest toys on the shelves. Not only does it have pre-recorded stock lines, it makes you sound like Optimus Pride when you put it on.

6. Barbie 2009 Holiday Doll

7 years +

Shopping for a little girl? Try Barbies Holiday Avatar, a collector's piece in a bejeweled, pale pink and golden lame gown with chandelier ear-rings, with her own stand. Pretty as ever, Barbie in her 50th year is still everyone's top doll.

5. Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway - Sights & Sounds Set

3 to 5 years

Every little boys dream Christmas haul, this 86 piece wooden set includes numerous deluxe features - like the roundabout, cranky, mountain overpass, Sodor Scrub Shine and more.

4. Lego Bionicle BrickMaster Glatorian Legends

4 years +

The Glatorian Legend is the second last installation of Lego's unique Bionicle series. Pick up a combination of smaller packs of Agori and Glatorian warriors with a few vehicles and tanks.

3. Wowee's Robosapien V2

8 years +

The Robosapien is a 24" toy that responds to motion and verbal commands. Your kid can learn to program the robot for a range of complex activities.

2. Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Camera

3 years +

This brightly colored rugged, spill proof digicam is the real deal for toddlers, with sturdy rubber grips and large buttons. It may not have great picture quality but it does have a 1.5 inch LCD screen and is very easy to operate.

1. Nintendo DSLite

10 years +

Available in pink, black and white, this is a toy for every little gamer's stocking. Nintendo's sleek wifi incorporated hand-held gaming device comes with touch screen.

Warning! Are you in danger of disappointing your kids this Christmas? Click Here to discover the Christmas Toys Secret, that will make your kids and loved ones scream in delight this Christmas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Goodman

Friday, May 14, 2010

How to Care For Your Gold Coin Collection

Gold coin collecting can be a rewarding hobby. For one thing, gold coins are very interesting, aside from the fact that they never lose their value. A true collector of gold coins looks at their collection as more than just monetary.

Commemorative coins are some of the most significant and historically valuable coins that you can add to your collection. Each piece is an expression of a certain culture as well as a form of art. They are generally made with meticulous craftsmanship, so they are beautiful and a joy to own.

Since your gold coin collection is an investment, you should know how to care for it properly. Here are some common coin storage practices:

· Sealed hard plastic cases or slabs are for your most valuable coins to keep them from being scratched;
· Folders or albums can be used for less valuable coins and especially handy for sets or series, but not well suited to valuable coins;
· Tubes can be used for coins that are circulated and same-size, but not well suited to your more valuable coins;
· Any non-precious metal or items of less value are fine stored in acid free paper sleeves.

If you are a serious collector, you may even want to invest in a storage case that has felt lined drawers. Every gold coin collection requires special handling. Dirt and oils from your skin can damage the finish of your coins over time. Either use cotton gloves to handle your coins, or handle them only around the edges. When you are holding a coin, you should hold it over a cloth in case you drop it. This will prevent the coin from being damaged or scratched.

Over time, exposure to air can cause the metal to oxidize and this will alter the color. It is best to avoid cleaning your coins as much as possible, because cleaning will ultimately damage the finish. Most gold coin collectors find a coin's original appearance (even when the color is altered) preferable. This means that your coins have the most value if you try not to handle them too often. Wiping your coins with a soft cloth can cause small scratches not visible to the naked eye; however upon close inspection by a dealer, they may appear. The last thing that you want to do is devalue your collection. The less you handle your coins with your bare hands, the better.

Elysse Biaca has been writing articles on a wide range of topics. Come and visit her latest post on what you need to know when purchasing american eagle gold bullion coins, which can be found at http://americaneaglegoldbullioncoins.org/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elysse_Biaca

The Lionel Model Train - How Much is Your Collection Worth?

Are Lionel trains worth a pretty penny? Well, the answer to this question depends on various factors. For instance, the value of the train will depend on which era the train was produced and also the condition that train is in. So before you sell that train on eBay or at a local garage sale, consider these factors first.

First, the value in collectible Lionel trains depends on the era in which they were produced. Lionel has been manufacturing trains since 1902 when it first introduced the Electric Express model as a retail store display. However, the models that are most prized by collectors are the "original Lionel trains" made between 1940 and 1959. The trains produced during this post-World War II era are considered to be some of Lionel's finest products and coincide with the company's rise as a juggernaut in the American toy industry.

The trains produced after 1969 are considered Lionel's "modern era" trains. These trains have not retained as much collector interest or value especially the ones that are not in pristine condition and in the original packaging. In addition, some critics argue re-issues of vintage Lionel trains decrease the value of the original models.

Now that we've established the type of Lionel trains that are highly sought after by collector, it is important to discuss the single factor that most influences the value of a particular collectible train-the condition. Unlike hobbyists, collectors care less about how the train operates compared to how the train appears. In fact, the appearance of the train determines the value because dents, scratches, and damaged parts decrease the value to a collector. Trains that are in "mint" condition or brand new condition will command the highest price whereas those that are beat up will fetch the least amount.

So how is value actually determined? With regards to Lionel train collecting, there are two guides that are published annually-Lionel Price & Rarity Guide and Greenburg's Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains. However, keep in mind these price guides only provide a guideline for pricing. The true value of a train depends on the buyer and seller. In other words, how much is the seller willing to offer in order to part with the train and how much is the buyer willing to pay to obtain the item.

There you have it. Not all Lionel trains are the same. Look carefully and you may not only find a small piece of American history, but you may also have an antique collectible sitting in your attic or someone else's garage sale. Even if you're not a model train enthusiast, that train will be worth a pretty penny to a Lionel train collector.

Gabriel O. Delaney is the author of "Model Train Secrets Exposed" which teaches you everything you wanted to know about the Lionel model train, including valuable information on how to save the most time and money with model trains and railroading.

For more information, check out http://www.ultimatemodeltraintrips.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_Delaney

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Toy Dogs in Art Part I - The Italian Greyhound

Fortunately for us, the members of the royal and noble families of Spain were particularly attached to dogs, especially toy dogs. Many of the famous painters of the time painted family portraits which included their dogs. Works by Velasquez, Murillo and Goya in particular painted portraits of royal families and their dogs, many of them being, "toy dogs."

The walls of Prado in Madrid are covered by portrait after portrait of dogs and their families or just dogs alone beautifully painted. Anyone very interested in dogs would certainly enjoy the experience of surveying the walls of Prado.

Numerous dogs have served as models for sculpture of all sorts as well.

The Prado has one of the best collections of art in the world. The fine paintings are not Spanish, nor are they paintings of the Spanish scene or family. The walls of Prado tell a story of European history in picture form. One typical example is a portrait painted by Jan Brueghel de Velours. The painting is of the interior of a collector's room, painted in 1617. The artist included a tiny toy spaniel confronting a monkey in the foreground of the painting.

In this same painting there is a small white woolly dog which could be a bichon or a Maltese terrier sitting quietly underneath a table just watching what is going on but taking no part. HOW CUTE!

Artists have always been the recorders of their own times. The artists tell us something about the dogs that are still with us as well as about those that appear to have been lost to us today. In one of Tiziano's paintings done earlier than de Velours, he included a dog that if the animal existed today, would be a glamorous-looking, long-haired Italian greyhound. One has to wonder, however, did this dog truly exist during that time or was this only in the mind of the painter.

The Italian greyhound was a favorite at court in both Spain and Italy centuries ago and appears frequently in paintings in the Prado. It has been noted that much to one's surprise in one case the Italian Greyhound is painted with its ears cropped. This was quite unusual. Pugs looked fine with their ears cropped, but the Italian Greyhound with cropped ears? Once again I have to wonder if maybe some of these models of dogs in these famous paintings are just from the minds of the creator of the painting and not dogs that truly existed during their times. On the other hand, it could have been just an exceptional case and not the norm of that particular era. I have not personally seen this picture, have only read about others seeing it, but I have to admit the Italian greyhound would look every strange with its ears shortened.

It has been said that one of the most attractive paintings of an Italian greyhound was of one that appears in the portrait 'The Earl of Northampton' by Pompeo Battoni in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. He was a large size for his period in the mid-eighteenth century. At this time the Italian Greyhound was really miniaturized. The portrait is said to be of a beautiful specimen, with all the elegance and grace of the breed.

This series: "Toy Dogs in Art" continues in Part II.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit: http://www.camelotarticles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon


Breyer Horses Are the Most Realistic Toy Horse Gifts

I visited Costa Rica and did a lot of horseback riding there. Costa Rica has the boniest, most pathetic looking horses I have ever seen. I actually felt sorry for them trying to carry me and my family. Glue factories come to my mind when I look at them. In fact, my horse actually passed out while I was riding it. He had just carried me up a big hill. After he got us to the top, he walked over to the ledge of a 60 foot cliff and fainted. He fell right off the cliff with me on him. My family watched in amazement as me and my horse disappeared over the edge. Fortunately for me, I landed about 20 feet down on the steep hill with my face in the dirt and a very nice hoof print on the back of my thigh where he stepped on me as he tumbled over me and all the way down to the bottom. The Lord surely gave his angels charge over me that day. We both survived but we were pretty shook up.

It really gave me an appreciation for what we have here in the United States. Our horses are so beautiful. Whenever you mention horse country in the United States, most people think of places like Kentucky and Virginia. Don't tell anyone this little secret but the most beautiful horses and most beautiful rolling hills and horse country are in north Georgia.

If that is hard for you to believe, then you have probably never driven through Cherokee County, Georgia. It is a huge county where the heavenly scenery never stops and you never get tired of watching the most beautiful, graceful horses. People here are serious about their horses too. The stables are seriously nice and they are everywhere. I have never shopped for a horse but I know the horses around here are not cheap.

Sir Winston Churchill once said, "There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man".

There is something so beautiful and majestic about these creatures that you just want to grab hold of them and take them home with you. And thanks to super-realistic details with Breyer horses, you can do that! Toy horse models capture the beauty of your favorite breeds so you can keep them with you at home or work.

Today hand-painted, realistic Breyer horses are available in a huge selection. My favorite breed is the blond haired Palomino but Breyer has just about every breed available.

But there is another reason why Breyer horses are the finest toy horse gifts. They have become valuable collector's items. Rare model horse toys in good condition are worth a lot more than most real horses. This is a serious hobby and a lot of fun too!

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about Breyer horses. Click here to download a free toy horse guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Kanooga

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

The New Bakugan Toy Craze

Move over Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, there's a new sheriff in town that is sweeping the collector card game community. New on the scene is Bakugan Brawlers.

Adapted from a Japanese Animation which made it's debut in 2007. The game was created which is a strategic card game, called Bakugan. Bakugan was developed by Sega Toys and Spin Master and was strategically released in conjunction with the anime series.

The Bakugan trading card game uses metal cards and magnetic spring-loaded miniature figures in the shape of marbles, called Bakugan. The objective of the game is to capture three of your opponent's gate cards or defeat all of their Bakugan.

What makes Bakugan unique from the other trading card games on the market, such as Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh, is that not only do you have to use strategy with the placement of your playing cards, but also the skill of shooting your Bakugan miniatures so that they end up landing on a card.

The Bakugan trading card game was such a hit in the 2008 Christmas season that tournament type events were held at various Toy's R Us locations around the U.S. Another thing that sets Bakugan apart from the other trading card games is that the rules are so easy to learn that children as young as four years old can learn and start playing right away.

Many add ons were created for the Bakugan trading card game such as a battle arena, and bakugan shooting devices, but the only thing that is required to play is three bakugan marbles and 3 bakugan cards for each participant. Bakugan Battle Brawlers battle packs are a starter set that was created for two children, which contain 6 bakugan and 6 battle cards.

Other offerings in the Bakugan Trading Card game is Bakugan Booster Packs, which come in Bakugan Starter Pack Red and Bakugan Starter Pack Blue. The game is already turning into a collectors frenzy with rare cards and unique desirable's similar to the other trading card games.

The age old game of marbles combined with the 20th century craze of the trading card games, combined into a new Trading Card Game is unique and makes for great excitement for young and old alike.

For strategy tips and resources on how to play the New Trading Card Game Bakugan visit Bakugan Booster Packs [http://bakuganboosterpacks.net]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Hamel

Lego Toy Building Sets and the Batman Franchise Strategy

Since its modest beginnings in 1932, the Lego company continues to make adults and children alike happy with new play sets being continuously released in the toy market. Lego is popular with many adults for purely nostalgic reasons, while kids simply love playing with the toy sets while unknowingly developing their building skills! The nostalgia angle is a great marketing pitch, but to be able to survive, Lego must do more than to depend on nostalgia. Lego has always been known for the innovations in its products and the system utilized to make these products, but without a solid offering, it could very well remain on the sidelines while other toy companies rise to the top. Lego executives understand this situation and have made aggressive marketing and production campaigns promoting the products and the brand.

Lego has released thousands of themed play sets over the years, including dinosaurs, medieval castles, robots, and train sets, to name a few. While this surly helped Lego capture a larger market share, the company showed great vision and further widened its lead in the building toy market by partnering with companies that own super franchises such as Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Sponge Bob Squarepants, Star Wars, and, of course, Batman. These franchises were transformed as Lego toy building sets using toy bricks, blocks, and pieces, much to the delight of both movie enthusiasts and Lego buffs.

One of the most profitable among the successful franchises that have made it to the Lego ranks is Batman. Batman sets are scenes from Marvel comic book's movies and cartoons. Lego has turned famous Batman scenes and locations, as well as vehicles, into building sets that provide hours of entertainment. Of all the vehicle sets the Batmobile is, of course, the most popular. Other Lego sets are Robin's Scuba Jet, the Penguin's submarine and Mr. Freeze's jeep. What are even cooler are the Batman mini-figures that come with these vehicles. This is but a few of the Lego Batman sets available today.

Batman is a very profitable franchise that really needs no promotion. However, the partnership with Lego was a wise move on the part of both companies as they are able to reap the benefits from each other's loyal following. A prime example of the effect of this strategic alliance is that Lego collectors and Batman memorabilia collectors can be one and the same. A Batman collector who collects anything Batman is also likely to buy Lego as long as Batman is the theme. It won't matter what type of play set it is, as long as it's Batman related. This buying behavior applies to Lego collectors as well. The Batman product and Lego marriage means more than just short-term profits. One has to take into account the long-term aspect of the merger. The more Batman products Lego releases, the higher the probability for increased customers and profits.

Lego Batman sets will always be popular with Lego enthusiasts and collectors alike. It also stands to reason that if a parent is into, either or Batman and Lego, the chances of their kids being into the Lego hobby is likely as well. This continuing cycle is a wining situation for the consumer and the marketplace as well!

Originally from the Texas Panhandle, I am semi-retired and now live, and work, with my son in the Arizona mountains. We own and operate two online stores. Our first store is http://bikertshirtsandtanks.com and you can find Harley Davidson and other biker apparel there. Our second store can be found at http://toybuildingbricks.com where everything related to Lego toys sets is sold.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bronnie_Vaughn

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Toy Poodle

Toy poodles are a great addition to the family who has children, or to the collector who loves to show dogs. The toy poodle is one that is fabulous out in the ring, but very smart in caring for those in the family in which he or she belongs to. The puppy that is well cared for, will become one with the family unit, not barking much. The puppy that is a bit more neglected or left alone is going to bark more often. Toy poodles are known for their curly hair, for their long floppy ears, and for the high maintenance needed in grooming the poodle.

The toy poodle is poodle, but of the miniature variety. This is a smaller dog, compared to the poodle, and many other breeds of dogs as well. The miniature poodle is often referred to as the toy poodle because when properly cared for it will take on that small stuffed animal appearance instead of a live dog! This is a very smart dog, one that is well proportioned, with a small head, and moves about quietly in the house. This is not a dog that will do well outdoors. The toy poodle requires love and attention, and it will become a loving part of your family. The poodle can have its claws clipped so that it will not claw, scratch or make marks on furniture or on children in the home.

The toy poodle is going to stand less than ten inches high. A regular poodle is going to be about fifteen inches high, sometimes even a little taller. The toy poodle that is involved in show, is going to be no more than ten inches high at the shoulder, or will not be permitted in the toy poodle competition.

The legs of the dog are short, and in proportion to the rest of the dog, with the head being small, round with a pointed like nose. The eyes on the toy poodle are dark and oval. If a toy poodle has rounded eyes, this is a sign of inner breeding or bloodlines that are not correct through the life of the toy poodle that is on show.

If you are considering showing your toy poodle, there are a few other considerations that you should have in regards to your dog. There should be the slightest or on hollowing behind the shoulders of the poodle as you run your hand along the back. The eyes that appear to be protruding or sticking out are not of a top of the line toy poodle. The chest and the ribs should appear with muscles, and with a spring like method when the dog is breathing and the muscles are moving. The dog should appear to be light on its feet, seeming to skip along as they are walking.

Copyright 2006 - Agust Hauksson. Agust is a regular contributor of articles to many online publications. Find more great information at: [http://www.dog-crate.info]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Agust_Hauksson

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Amazing Webkinz Craze - Prices Are 'Soaring' For The Webkinz Love Puppy!

Some complaints have been circulating over the past several months, concerning the higher priced interactive Webkinz Love Puppy. While the Webkinz World continues to explode in the youth market, you wonder if all the hype is causing everyone to pay more for a toy that use to cost around $10.00.

While some have been turned off by the price increase--on the flip side--a great number of people continue to buy high priced Webkinz toys by the boatloads. The popular Love Puppy is no exception.

If you take a look at eBay, you will find lots of these stuffed animal toys. Different toys are combined and auctioned together. Take for example, the Cheeky Dog and Cat including the Love Puppy. At the time of this writing, there were 17 bidders on eBay that caused a bidding war which made the price go up to a whopping $1,225.00. When observing this and many other types of auctions, you can easily see that demand is very high.

Keep in mind also, whoever wins the bidding war still has to pay a $22.95 shipping fee. So with that said, we can say that the Webkinz craze is certainly for real.

As a parent, you need to understand why the price for a Love Puppy and other stuffed animals like it has sky-rocketed and continues to climb.

When Demand is High... Supply is Low

You may or may not have notice the term "Retired" included with the Love Puppy when advertised. Sometimes the term isn't displayed. Nevertheless, the Love Puppy, manufactured by Ganz, is no longer in production. And it may never be in production again--hence the higher prices. In addition, what was once easy to find in your local store now is harder to find.

So when your child is in your ear asking for a Love Puppy... What choices do you have? If try to change your child's mind who sees other children with this toy is pretty hard to do. So like other parents you immediately begin to feel the pressure of the high priced war, including the craze that goes with it.

Is buying one of these toy animals worth it? Many parents have expressed--just seeing the look on their child's face, gives a big YES.

Also if you are pondering whether or not to buy, understand that the Love Puppy is a collector's item and is in great demand. When there are no more to be sold this toy will still be in demand. There are people now searching for pre-owned Love Puppies at cheaper prices. But little do people realize, unless owners are unfamiliar with the history, will not depart with their Love Puppies cheaply. That's why many people prefer to go to eBay. To get a better ROI (return on investment).

If you were to come across one of these used toys that an owner is willing to sell, BEWARE! Is the toy in good repair? Are there any features missing and prohibits the toy from being interactive online?

Nowadays, collectors and resellers are buying large quantities of Webkinz toys, the benefits are great and two-fold:

1. Smart sellers make more money when selling these toys below what other retailers are selling.

2. Aware buyers know where to find these sellers and save.

On the flip side, think of how much you could sell one of these toys when your child out grows it. eBay is a great place to go to sell anything and this is what many people do.

So consider buying a Love Puppy now before (a) prices become much higher, and (b) before the toy is totally off the market. You don't want to get a mouth full from your child. and remember the all too familiar phrase, "everyone has one but me." This always put parents on the spot-- Remember when you were a child?

The bottom-line, get out your wallet and buy now. If you find a Webkinz Love Puppy for sale buy it before, (1) the prices goes higher, (2) it's out of stock, and (3) it's completly off the market. You still have some time to shop around and compare prices. And when your child out-grows his/her Love Puppy, you can always sell it on eBay--it's a collector's item.

Selling the toy on eBay, in all likely hood, would make you a nice little profit--provided the toy is in good repair and can access the Webkinz interactive website. To open an eBay store is easy and you can do it quickly.

To learn more about Webkinz stuffed animals toys and accessories, click below...

Webkinz Love Puppy
Webkinz Sherbert Bunny
New Webkinz

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Sumpter

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Rare Collector Transformer Cartoon DVD Set

For years people of all ages have been watching the Transformers cartoon. Many people even have a collection of the transformers toys. Yes the transformers have been in most every household since 1982. They have been all over the world from Japan to the USA and they are still just as popular today as they were back in the day. Now you can enjoy watching the Transformer Cartoon DVD right in your own home.

There are many fans today that are not aware of how the transformers came about and just how long they have really been around. Sure they have seen the television shows and have even bout a toy or two but do they really know about the cartoon? Thankfully there are many DVDs out there that can bring you up to speed on the transformers. Many of the names are still the same when it comes to the characters such as Optimus prime and Megatron but it is still very helpful to have the transformers cartoon DVD collection.

If you are new to the Transformers then you may want to get up to speed on exactly what the story is about. Unfortunately that might be difficult to do if you do, as the series keeps moving on and new episodes are being shown. It can be hard to come into a show mid season, not knowing the story line or who is who. Thankfully there are Transformers Cartoon DVD's that can be bought which will allow you to see the story right from the very beginning. Your whole family will enjoy seeing the whole story and how it all got started.

The Transformers have been around for nearly 23 years and are still going strong. Ask any child you see about transformers and you can bet it won't be power supply that they tell you about. If you have kids then you most likely have had to change their toys from a car into a powerful Autobot and we all know that learning this transformation technique can be a bit challenging if you do not know about the Transformers. It really does help to know who the characters are and what Autobots they change into so you can help your child figure out how to transform his Autobots. Kids can play for hours just watching the cartoon and using their own transformer toys.

Since the cartoon of The Transformers came out in the 1980's, there have been a great deal of spin offs to hit the market along the same lines as the cartoon. Of course there are the toys and then we have comic books, bed sheets, towels, clothes and so much more that you could most likely decorate your entire house with The Transformers if your children could have it their way. The Transformer Cartoon DVD collection is a great addition to any family and will give you and your children hours of entertainment over and over again.

Children never get tired of watching their favorite shows and they use their imagination to take them to worlds that only they can dream up. Just put in the Transformers cartoon DVD and watch your child jump right into the story and become a transformer himself. You can almost see your child come to attention when he hears the ever famous words "Autobots transform and roll out!"

For the best DVD collection, check out the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Transformers DVD Set. You will have the entire collection to watch whenever you want and your children will have the Transformers right at their fingertips.

Get the 20th anniversary special collectors, edition Transformers DVD Metal Box Set. Complete seasons of the Transformers cartoon series 1 through 4 on 15 high quality DVDs, 5.1 Dolby surround sound. Also get the Transformers movie, collector’s card, poster and more. Get your set at http://www.TransformersDVDSet.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Dale

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Collecting Toy Soldiers - Marx Military Playsets

Before the start of World War II, action figures were already some of the most popular toys among little boys. During those days, military action figures and their complementary accessories were usually in the wish lists of kids for Christmas and birthdays.

Toy soldiers made by Marx during 1930s and the 1940s were some of the most popular to play with, particularly the playsets that were themed around different battles. During those decades, the military playsets were made up of metals that were assembled and manufactured at the toy making facility of Louis Marx and Company. The toys made a big impact and inspired a variety of other toy manufacturers to design and make similar toy soldiers.

At the onset of the World War, metal toys were scrapped because almost all toy plants were asked to spare the metal for military purposes. Thus, other materials were sought and used. Tin and aluminum provide better alternative to the usual metals used to manufacture the items.

In the 1950s, such action toys started being manufactured using plastic resources. The toys were not popular initially, but the flexibility and endurance associated with plastic won both children and parents over. So the material started gaining popularity as a toy making material.

The Marx military playsets included different types of figures like trees and rocks, animals and accessories, cannons and wagons and, of course, toy soldiers. Thus, kids were able to run a story plot and construct dioramas whenever they played.

Usually, the action sets included different figures in an environment such as a battleground, or with centerpieces like barns in a farm set, metal forts in a medieval castle and plastic forts in Fort Apache sets. The toy soldiers stood on a flattened base that enabled them to stand on their own without manual assistance.

Most of the Marx playsets are very colorful. The environment looks like miniature versions of actual environments while the accessories like cars were so beautifully crafted that they look just like actual but miniaturized objects. The soldier figures were not colorful, but they readily and appropriately serve their purpose and could be painted by hand as well.

Nowadays, the vintage Marx military playsets sets are still very much sought after by collectors, though they can be difficult to find intact.

You can find terrific deals on Marx military playsets and other vintage toy soldiers at: http://toysoldiers.collectiblesnook.com/

Jenni Kerala is a writer, collector and Ebay addict who loves to find interesting and beautiful collectibles - especially vintage and antique items - on the online marketplace.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenni_Kerala

Friday, May 7, 2010

Starting a Coin Collection - Why It's So Popular

People from all over the world study, collect and invest in rare coins and bullion coins. These hobbyists are called "numismatics", and many take their hobby very seriously! Coins are so fascinating for many reasons. One is that coins represent many different and exciting periods in American and World History. There are always interesting stories behind these coins and they are genuine mementos of past history. Their historical interest is unique to every culture that has ever used coins, and has played an important part in the economic growth of these societies.

Collectors of anything, whether it's toy trains, rocks, hotwheels or artwork offers the collectors a feeling of satisfaction. Coins have the added advantage of their extraordinary endurance, easy storage and display factors, and importantly, the ability to complete sets. Collectors should take good care of their coins (and usually do!), since they will probably last for hundreds or even thousands of years! The earliest known coins were from the Lydian society, and were called "starters". They were made of a gold and silver alloy, and were used around 600-700BC! So we know that coins can last a long time! Starting a coin collection is easy and there are several ways you can so this. A favorite way of collecting is to start a general collection of a variety of different coins. For example, you might acquire a Liberty Walking Half Dollar, Buffalo Nickel, an Anthony Dollar, or a Peace Silver Dollar. You'll probably become attracted and interested to one or another because of its intricate design or interesting history. You then might want to complete a set of this particular coin, say every date and mint mark for the Peace Silver Dollar for example. Or you could collect one example for every different Buffalo Nickel, and then proceed to a different coin. The choice is your preference (and budget!). Anyone can find a coin that they like that will fit into their budget, and allow them to complete a set.

Another popular method of collecting is to buy type. You do this by assembling coins that have different stamps or designs. You can collect coins of any one denomination (for example, all cents, all quarters, all dimes etc.), or maybe just collect the coins of one century in history. This kind of collecting coins will help you to see the full overview of the coin designs, and just how these designs progressed through history.

If your budget doesn't permit you to collect a complete set of a coin that you really like, you can collect a Year Set. This would consist of acquiring a coin from each year that the particular coin was minted. You don't have to worry about mint mark, just the year. So if you want to collect sought after and valuable gold coins, such as the Indian Head $10 Gold piece which was minted from 1907 to 1933, you would just collect one of each year regardless of which Mint it came from. (If it was minted in Philadelphia or San Francisco for example, it wouldn't matter, just as long as you have one coin from each year.) This is a fun and lesser expensive way to complete a coin collection, and will give the collector immense pride and much satisfaction!

Collecting coins is really very easy to do today. People with middle income budgets, or even those with less modest budgets, can all enjoy the fun and excitement of coin collecting. Get started by visiting the many numismatic (coin collecting) sites on the web. Research all of the interesting coins you can. Find a coin you like and start collecting today!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Coin Collecting

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell


Thursday, May 6, 2010

Ben 10 Toys - Which Will Be the Most Collectible?

It's easy to forget that some Ben 10 toys will become collector's items in years to come. These colourful action figures and play sets are seen chiefly as children's toys right now, and rightly so- Ben 10 is a massive hit with children around the world and looks set to remain that way for some time to come. As with most cartoons that generate such a buzz, the loyal fans will carry their enthusiasm with them for years to come, and as the show continues to evolve, so do the demands of those fans.

The demand for Ben 10 toys does fluctuate depending on seasons and the general flux of popularity for animated heroes, but dedicated fans of Ben and his adventures will always want to get their hands on Ben 10 toys that they may have missed first time around.

The Ben 10 toys and games owned by your young Ben 10 fans are sure to be seeing a lot of action, but will they become collectible in years to come? Possibly. The Ben 10 toys that look set to be the most sought after in years to come will be figures of Ben himself along with Ben 10 toys such as Kevin's car, the toy replica of which has already been a big hit with fans around the world.

Another favourite will always be the Omnitrix in its many versions, but possibly the most popular one will remain the Ultimate Omnitrix. This is to be expected, as the props of main characters are always a hit!

When your child isn't playing with their Ben 10 toys, make sure they are tidied away and kept in a clean and safe place. If a Ben 10 toy is no longer being used, don't throw it away- preserve it in a protective wrapper. Why? Because, even if your Ben 10 toys and games don't become collectible items, there is sure to be someone else who would love to enjoy those Ben 10 toys for the first time that they can be shared with.

Are you too a big Ben 10 fan? The Ben 10 toys and games that are currently available will blow your mind! Check out the special offers you can take advantage of!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Hawnt

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Ideal Novelty and Toy Company Dolls From the Baby Boomer Generation

The Ideal Toy Company began in 1902. They first produced teddy bears. In 1930 they produced popular dolls such as Shirley Temple and Judy Garland. The dolls produced by Ideal are considered to be very good quality dolls. In 1982, the Ideal Toy Company was purchased by the CBS Toy Company, which later went out of business. Today, we seem to know and hear more of the Ideal Novelty Toy Company than the CBS Toy Company.

Examples of dolls made by the Ideal Company in the 1950s are:

o Saucy Walker: Stood 16" and 22" tall, hard plastic, walker, pin jointed body, wig, sleep eyes, open mouth with two teeth and some were made with a closed mouth, some are criers, some had bent knees, also a black version. Numbers are Ideal Dolls/W16 (for the 16" height doll) and Ideal Dolls/W22 (for the 22" height doll). All dolls were dressed in 1950s style dresses. Produced 1951 to 1955.

o Betsy McCall: Stands 14" tall with a vinyl head, and a Toni body. The 1954 version was a walker. Betsy McCall was produced in the years of 1952-1954.

o Ruth: Stands 16, 19 or 21" tall and uses the Toni walker body with V markings on head. Some of the Ruth bodies were marked V-19. Produced in 1953.

o Cream Puff Baby: Stands 19, 21, 23 or 24" tall, is all vinyl, rooted hair, blue eyes, dimpled cheeks and was produced 1959 to 1962.

o Patti Playpal: One of Ideal's most popular dolls, stood 35" tall the size of a three year old child with markings on the head that read: Ideal Doll Toy Corp./G-35 or B-19-1. Produced 1959-1961.

There are of course, many, many more dolls that were produced by the Ideal Doll Toy Company. These are just to name a few.

The Ideal Toni dolls were designed by Bernard Lipfert in 1949. It was a rather expensive doll for this era. The Toni dolls were produced as a marketing tool for the Toni Cosmetic Company and sold with a home permanent kit. The kit consisted of a permanent solution made of sugar and water, end papers and a comb. I suppose the idea was to pretend being a beautician with the Toni doll. The Ideal Toni Dolls had a wig easy to identify. The wefts of hair are folded over and stitched into a center part. She was also issued with many different dress styles.

The Ideal Cricket Doll was a 16" fashion doll introduced in the year of 1971 as "Posin' Cricket." This doll was especially produced for and sold only by Sears & Roebuck Company. Some collectors consider her to be part of the Crissy "family" of dolls. Cricket's appeal was her "growing-hair."

The Ideal Doll, Shirley Temple, was one of the most popular dolls ever made. Some of them today are worth a lot of money. Shirley Temple dolls in rare outfits can sell for hundreds of dollars and the very, very mint dolls in their original boxes can sell for $1,000 and more. The rarer varieties like the Baby Shirley dolls can also be very expensive for today's doll collector. The 1957 Shirley Temple dolls sell for more than the later early 1970s Shirley Temple dolls. The 1982 re-release Shirley Temple is an example of a vinyl Shirley that can be purchased for $50 or less.

The Shirley Temple dolls were made in several different sizes: 11", 12", 27" and 36." There were other companies who produced the Shirley Temple doll; however, the Ideal Toy Corporation was the best known. Ideal produced the dolls from the 1930s until the company went out of business in other 1970.

Source: Collector's Guide to Ideal Dolls

Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Idea Doll Corporation or any doll company after them. We do not promote these dolls. This article and the web site is offered as a resource for the would-be vintage doll collector or those already collecting vintage dolls.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box

© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. For more information about starting and maintaining a Vintage Doll Collection visit http://smalldogs2.com/VintageDollCollecting For a variety of FREE reprint articles as well as special sections in U.S. History and the Kennedy Administration visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

I Love Toy Trains - A Store for the Young and Old

When you hear the phrase, "I love toy trains," most of the time you wouldn't think of a store dedicated solely to toy trains. But that's exactly what that phrase means in New Buffalo, Michigan. New Buffalo serves as home to the infamous I Love Toy Trains, a toy train wonderland that is every child and toy train collector's dream. The store carries Thomas and Friends wooden toy trains and accessories and several unique items from Lionel Corporation.

If the name of the store sounds familiar to you, it's because it was derived from the popular children's video series. The series, "I Love Toy Trains" is an animated show that allows children to use their imagination in the world of toy trains. And that's exactly the concept the store used in finding a name for their establishment - a place where children and adults can go and just let their imagination run free among the hundreds of toy trains and items for sale.

I Love Toy Trains is settled in a 1930's style home on the bottom floor. You'll find an assortment of classic, antique, and new toy trains all together under one roof. Several models of common names in the toy train industry are available at the store. For example, you'll see some beautiful Standard gauge models from the twenties on display, and several manufactures featured include Lionel, Marx, and Williams. You can find classic and simple wooden toy trains ideal for toddlers and small children, and you'll also find toy trains complete with operating engines and hand-painted detail for those looking to "kick it up a notch."

Not only will you find everything you need to create a toy train wonderland, but you'll also find rare and unique toys imported from Germany and Czechoslovakia. Where else can you find a duck on a bike, tumbling bunnies, or singing cowboys? I Love Toy Trains also carries several styles of railroad tracks along with accessories to make your toy train system as realistic as possible. The store carries a wide variety of trinkets ranging in price, so even if you are on a budget you are very likely to find a keepsake at a reasonable price.

I Love Toy Trains is only open three days a week, Friday through Sunday, from 11:00am to 5:00pm EST. If you're ever visiting this area in Michigan, make it part of your trip to visit I Love Toy Trains.

In addition to the trains, there is a delightful selection of clockwork, tin-litho toys imported from Czechoslovakia and Germany - Duck on a Bike, Space Man Robot, Elephant Balancing Ball, Panda Drummer, Rocking Cowboy, Basketball Girl, and Tumbling Bunnies.

In addition to the trains, there is a delightful selection of clockwork, tin-litho toys imported from Czechoslovakia and Germany - Duck on a Bike, Space Man Robot, Elephant Balancing Ball, Panda Drummer, Rocking Cowboy, Basketball Girl, and Tumbling Bunnies.

Shop for babies and toddler at the Online Baby Store [http://exceptionalbaby.com] with over 20 merchants featuring over 2,250 products. [http://www.ExceptionalBaby.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Anderson-Metcalf

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