Friday, April 30, 2010

Vintage Doll Collecting - The Remco Toy Company

The Remco Toy Company was founded in the 1940s and best known for toys marketed and sold in the late 1950s and 1960s such as the Johnny Reb Cannon and Mighty Matilda Atomic Aircraft Carrier. One of their slogans was: "Every Boy Wants a Remco Toy." In the mid-60's, the Remco Toy Company acquired several licenses for popular culture acts such as the Beatles, Monkees, Munsters, Lost in Space and Batman.

The Remco Toy Company was acquired by Azrak-Hamway International, Inc. in 1964. This was a toy company in New York, New York. In 1997, Jakks Pacific acquired Child Guidance and the Remco Toy Company from Azrak-Hamway International.

Heidi was probably one of the Remco's Toy Company's most popular dolls. She was extremely popular from the mid '60s into the early '70s. Heidi was a little blonde doll standing about 5 ½-inches tall who came with a plastic case, which was similar to Remco's TV Jones line. Heidi had a Japanese friend, whose name was Jan. Both Heidi and Jan featured a magic button on their stomachs that made them wave. They also produced a version that caused the doll to blink when you pushed the magic button. It is rare to find a doll today that still has a working button.

Remco later introduced a sister to Heidi. Her name was Hildy, then there Pip, who was Heidi's little friend, Spunky was her tomboy friend and Herby. Today you will find more of Heidi and Jan. The other dolls are harder to find. There were also many carded and boxed outfits and play sets made for Heidi and her playmates.

The Remco Toy Company was one of the first companies to sell their dolls through television advertising. I, being from the Baby Boomer era, do remember television commercials ending with "made by Remco," (probably during an "I Love Lucy" episode or "Popeye the Sailor Man" cartoons).

Most of their dolls were hard plastic and vinyl dolls of character and entertainment personalities. They are also well known for making the Littlechap Pocketbook doll series. Other dolls made by Remco in the 1960s and 1970s include:

o 1964 Beatles, 4 ½" tall rock musicians, rooted hair, each with a guitar

o 1964 Dave Clark Five, 3-5" tall, rock musicians, vinyl heads plastic body, rooted hair

o 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson, 5 ½" tall

Some of their baby dolls include:

o 1965 Snugglebun, about 16" tall, had a battery operated bottle warmer included, squeeze the doll and she would snuggle up to you, has bent arms

o 1967 Baby Crawl Along, 20" tall, plastic and vinyl, rooted hair, blue sleep eyes, ball socket head, key wound doll marked: Remco/Ind./17 Eye/New/74copyright1967 on head

o 1968 Tippy Tumbles, 16" tall vinyl doll, rooted red hair, battery operated to do somersaults.

o 1969, 14" tall vinyl/plastic doll with rooted strawberry blonde hair, cute face with big blue eyes and full rooted lashes, painted pink mouth (this is my Remco doll, I am still looking for her name). Pictured on my site.

Other memorable Remco Toys include:

o 1953 Medicine Chest

o 1958 Giant Wheel Cowboys'n Indians Game

o 1958 Giant Wheel Thrills'n Spills Horse Race Game

o 1959 Little Red Spinning Wheel

o 1959 Movieland Drive-In Theater

o 1960 Frogman the US Navy Commando

o 1960 Whirlybird Helicopter

o 1961 Hippopotamus Electric Puzzle Game

o 1961 Johnny Reb Cannon

o 1961 Remco Katz Hot Rod

o 1961 Mighty Matilda Aircraft Carrier

o 1961 Shark Remote Control Race Car

o 1964 Senator Barry Goldwater Doll

o 1964 Munsters

o 1966 Batman Wrist Radios

o 1965 Bulldog Army Tank

o 1965 Duffy's Daredevils

Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with the former Remco Company or any other doll or toy company. This article is offered as a source of information for the vintage doll collector or the would-be 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

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

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Moko Lesney Matchbox - 13D Dodge BP Wreck Truck - How to Spot a Fake

Perhaps one of the most talked about 1-75 series models is the Number 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck in "Reverse Colours".

When first introduced in April 1965 this toy was painted with the cab and crane jib green and the body and base yellow. This colour combination was quickly changed to the more common version with the cab and crane jib yellow and body and base green. Obviously, some of the green cab versions were released for retail as I have seen "played with" examples. How many were released, no one seems to know, but considering around this time, Matchbox Toys were making in excess of 2,000,000 toys a week, it just might be more than we think!

I have read differing stories about the original version. One is that it was a pre-production colour trial model. Another is that it was painted this way by mistake and BP were not happy, so the colours were reversed to a yellow cab and green body.

Whatever the reason, the green cab version is extremely rare! As a result, there are numerous "fakes" in the market place. These range from collectors restoring normal models and repainting them in the reverse colours, to reproduction "masters" creating near perfect fake examples and passing them off as genuine.

I find it interesting when visiting different Matchbox Toy web rings how the "experts" look at photo's of a model and instantly determine whether it is genuine or a fake. No explanation given, just a conclusion. Unfortunately, an explanation is the information that every Matchbox Toy collector needs! Perhaps many of the "experts" don't know themselves (or don't want to share their knowledge) and find it safer to state everything is a fake! Who is there to argue with them if the information is not shared.

Here, I am going to show the differences between a fake and genuine No: 13d Dodge BP Wreck Truck - Reverse Colour model.

All green cab versions had silver sprayed grille and headlights. All following versions had NO silver detailing.

All early version Number 13d Dodge Wreck Trucks (both green and yellow cab versions) had BP decals (transfers) rather than paper labels that were applied to later toys.

Early production models had grey plastic single cable tow hooks.

Green cab, yellow bodied versions had a different crane jib to the yellow cab version. This crane jib was narrower at the base where the yellow cab version had an added brace giving it more support at the base (see photo's)

In late 1969 or early 1970 one or some employees at the Lesney factory made some "pirate" versions of the Green cab wrecker. These are quite easy to pick as they had crimped axle ends, BP labels rather than decals and red tow hooks. Apparently, at the time, some were sold to collectors for US$15 each. In April 2007 one of these was sold for £3800 ($7700 US) by Vectis UK . Not a bad investment!

As to the value of the genuine article, here are some recent sale results:

2005 Ebay Auctions - Mint & Boxed - US$9600

2005 Vectis Auctions - Mint & Boxed - £5000

2006 Vectis Auctions - Mint & Boxed - £3800

2006 Vectis Auctions - Mint & Boxed - £2800

So, now you know what to look for! Keep your eyes peeled because they are still out there.

For more interesting Matchboy Toys articles, visit http://www.mokolesneymatchbox.com

John Houghton has been collecting and researching Matchbox Toys for over 40 years.

He is the author of The Definitive Guide to Matchbox Toys and owner of http://www.mokolesneymatchbox.com

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Killer Avatar Movie Toys to Know About

The latest movie project of James Cameron promises to be the most thrilling and spectacular movie that you have ever seen before in your life. It is of course, The Avatar Movie. And like most high budget and extremely popular movies, there are a lot of Avatar movie toys being manufactured that children and collectors want to reenact battle scenes seen in the movie.

And I shouldn't forget to mention that the faraway planet in question is called, Pandora. It is inhabited by strange and fascinating creatures that can become violent too. And there are indigenous humanoids that are 12 feet tall, blue skinned, with a tail and glow in the dark. Well, most of the creatures found in Pandora glow in the dark and you will find that a lot of the Avatar movie toys also can glow in the dark too! But I'm getting ahead of myself here...

You will also find action figurines as well as the mechanical toys of the marines that were sent in by the mining consortium to subdue and conquer the Na'vi people so the mining operation can continue unabated.

So let's get into specifics here. The first Avatar movie toy I want to talk about is the most popular one, the Avatar RDA Scorpion Gunship. This neat Scorpion Chopper has 24 points of articulations (moving parts) with dual firing projectiles, 4 spinning blades and rotating gun barrels. It is packed for action and is sure to please any child (or collector) that wants to enact some of the actions seen in the Avatar movie. However, I have to warn you, the Avatar toys don't come with the figures. Those are sold separately. It is a little irritating that you need to buy one more thing to make the set complete. But I can see it from the manufacturer's point of view too. It is better to offer a wide range of figures and then have the fans pick out the one they like to match with their toys.

Having said that, onwards to the next Avatar toys! The next two toys are the fierce and dangerous creatures of Pandora. The first is the Thanator creature. This is a very strange looking creature that has six legs, 9 inch fangs and a face only a mother could love. Truth be told, it is probably much safer to get the toy instead of showing up on Pandora for the simple reason. You will still be alive.

And I also wanted to mention that most of the genuine Avatar toys, if not all of them, come with i-Tags which allows the owner access to their "virtual" toy on a special website that allows you to vicariously live through them on the virtual Pandora. I think this is a super idea that is going to make owning one or more of these toys much, much more fun.

The second creature that you may want to get is the flying creature that is all claws and teeth, the Leonopteryx. This is a pretty large toy, over 20 inch wing-span and can carry any Avatar figurine on it.

The next cool Avatar movie toy I wanted to tell you about is the RDA Combat Amp Suit that the solders get into to fight the denizens of Pandora. It has lots of articulations and can fire multiple projectiles. It can hold any Avatar figurines (so I'm told but check to make sure). And of course, you get that i-Tag so you can activate your virtual toy in the virtual world of Pandora on the Internet.

Another toy is the winged creature that is also fierce is the Mountain Banshee creature. This is the animal the Na'vi warriors bond with as a rite of passage.

I want to talk about three more toys and then you can check them out. The next Avatar toy is the RDA Combat Grinder Vehicle. This is a very cool toy that is based on the armed land vehicle that travels over rough and uneven terrain. It has cool weapons and is capable of going at high speeds. Yes, you can put in an Avatar figurine and yes, you get an i-Tag too so you can explore the wild and woolly planet of Pandora.

The next to last toy is the Dire Horse creature (or Direhorse). In real life on Pandora, this horse is big as an elephant, has six legs and has two antennae. They run very fast and can turn on a dime. But don't worry, you don't have to master the art of riding one of these huge creatures. You can get the toy instead! And sure, figures can ride them and you get an i-Tag along with this Avatar toy too.

The last toy I wanted to discuss with you is the RDA Jake Sully action figure. Jake is on a wheel chair because he cannot walk. But that won't stop him from using the Avatar Program to become mobile and whole again in the wonderful adventure of a lifetime on Pandora.

So there you have it. There are some fantastic and wonderful Avatar Movie toys based on the Avatar movie that allows children and collectors to re-enact their favorite battle scenes and action scenes from the movie.

You can definitely find out some more about the Avatar movie from my website http://www.squidoo.com/The-Avatar-Movie-by-James-Cameron and find out how cool and thrilling it is going to be. Don't forget to check out the Avatar movie trailer on my site too!

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

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Vintage Toy Soldiers - Collecting Marx Toy Soldiers

Children from all around the world have been awed by the Marx toy soldiers since the 1950s. The previous generation was really into such action figures because during their time, wars were just concluded. Now, interest in collecting the figures has been revived.

Marx toy soldiers were a masterpiece and flagship toy product of Louis Marx and Company. The toy manufacturing firm was founded by a veteran toy maker, Louis Marx, who has been referred to across the toy making industry as 'Toycoon'.

Especially since the 1950s, the company was known for selling trademark and all-original lines of toys, which are most associated with the military. If you are wondering why the company is focused on military action figures, you should know that Mr. Marx was a former sergeant at the US Army prior to his establishment of the company.

Through time, their toy soldiers, in particular, have been among the most sought after and interesting toys specifically for boys. Many observers note that back in the days, girls had Barbie dolls while boys did not get left behind as they have the action-packed and very impressive action figures.

As time passed, likes and preferences of kids changed dramatically. With the advent of computer games, action figures like those of Marx's have been put aside and have often observed drastic declines in sales. But many enthusiasts and fanatics of the original vintage toy soldiers have been asking software and videogame developers about virtual games featuring them. Unfortunately, up to now, development for such has yet to take place, but clearly there's some extensive interest.

Even though the company is long out of business, Marx toy soldiers are starting to mark a comeback as a vintage collectible. Vintage toy collecting in general is responsible to some degree for the revival of interest, but the loyalty of long-time avid collectors is certainly highly responsible as well. In addition to the vintage toy soldiers, some small companies specializing in action figures are also doing re-casts of some of the more popular Louis Marx toys, including the toy soldiers. But, of course, some collectors will always prefer the original.

You can find great buys on Marx toy soldiers and other brands of 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

Monday, April 26, 2010

Guide to Collecting Breyer Horse Toys

Originally, people bought model horses because they were fun. What started as horse toys has now become a huge collector's hobby. The same thing happened with baseball cards, comic books and a lot of other toys.

Question #1: Why are you collecting? This must be the first question answered because the answer to this question will determine the answer to every other question that follows. In my opinion, there is only one right answer to this question. Collect horses because it is fun! Just because an item is worth a lot of money doesn't mean it has to stop being fun. Money has a way of getting things bent out of shape. When it comes to collecting anything, there will always be people who have their eyes so focused on the money that they have lost sight of the fun. Now that we have answered this key question, we can move on to other questions.

Question #2: Which horses should I collect? If you answered the first question correctly then this one is easy. Collect the horses you like the most! You can collect your favorite breed or your favorite colors or anything else that you like. There are a variety of sizes from large horses in the 1:9 scale, such as the Breyer Traditional line which are about 9 inches tall, to small horses in the 1:24 scale, such as Schleich horses which are about 3.5 inches tall. If you enjoy having a rare model horse, you might have to pay more to get one but there are discontinued and limited editions available. Breyer publishes an annual collector's guide book which lists the market values of many model horses. However, just because these dollar values are printed in a book does not mean you can sell your horses for those prices. The so-called value is only real if you can find someone who is willing to pay that amount. With the Internet, collectible hobbies have become buyer's markets because even rare items are now much easier to find. As a result, the actual prices on the street are often lower than what might be listed in a book. If you are looking at collectible toys as an investment, I recommend finding somewhere else to invest your money. Collectible items are not a good investment. Even if your horses hold their value, trying to liquidate them into cash is not very easy and often more trouble than it is worth. Plus the process of trying to sell your horses is full of pitfalls because it has a way of zapping all the fun right out of the hobby.

Question #3: Where do I get more information? There are different ways to learn more about model horses and the hobby of collecting them. First, you can subscribe to hobby magazines like 'Just About Horses' from Breyer. Another magazine is 'Model Horse Showers Journal'. Second, you can join clubs to meet other collectors. Clubs offer newsletters and shows you can attend. Club fees are usually very low considering what you get. Some clubs are specific to a horse breed while others are focused on a particular region. Third, you can get loads more information just by surfing the Internet. Just do a Google search for model horses or horse toys.

Question #4: Where do I buy model horses? There are two markets, one for new horses and one for previously-owned horses. You can find new horses available in most toy stores, but the biggest selection and easiest place to shop is online. Many retailers provide large images so you can clearly see what you are getting. For previously-owned horses, the best places to shop would be online, at hobby shows or by subscribing to hobby newsletters where other hobbyists are allowed to list their horses for sale.

There is a lot to learn about this hobby. The main point to remember is to enjoy your horses and enjoy the ride!

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

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

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Vintage Redline Hot Wheels Values - Rising Or Declining?

As a vintage Hot Wheels collector for over 16 years, I've seen a lot of different phases in this hobby and it's clear that we've been in a period of Redline Hot Wheels values declining over the last several years.

Part of this can be attributed to the economy, but I believe there is an overall larger trend that is affecting the values of collectible Redlines.

This larger trend has to do with the demographics of collectors.

You see, most vintage Redline collectors are between the ages of 40 and 50 due to the fact that Hot Wheels were first produced in 1968 and the brand is actually 42 years old. This means most of today's collectors where first introduced to Redline Hot Wheels several decades ago.

I know for me, my initial experience with these toy cars started when I was 5 years old. (in 1968, when Mattel Toys first introduced them)

Now, I'm 46 and an active collector of these Redline gems.

Other generations of people are into different nostalgia collectibles, based on the types of toys or other popular items that they were into as children.

In fact, as the generations go, less and less people seem to be interested in diecast cars (or cars in general) which I find sad and rather discouraging...

So the main reason that Hot Wheels values have been declining is that the people who are in my age range and who would be the most interested in Redlines (from a nostalgia point of view) are growing older and their priorities are changing. For example, they may need to raise money for children going to college, or they may be more focused on building (or rebuilding) their retirement savings, perhaps they are busy looking for a new job or starting a new business or any number of other considerations that hit someone as they enter middle age.

As these considerations move to the forefront, the nostalgic hobby of collecting vintage Hot Wheels seems to gradually fall by the wayside and less and less people are collecting them.

While this is a sad thing to see happen, it is not a bad thing for collectors who are in it for the joy of collecting, rather than for the potential monetary gain that can come from buying and selling these little gems.

I know that I've personally seen several of my collector friends fall by the wayside or sell off their collections. Fortunately, they remain friends, even though their interest in collecting has diminished.

Who knows what the future will bring, but I believe we may be seeing the gradual decline of Redline values now and into the foreseeable future - only because less and less people are buying them as collectibles.

Brandon James is a writer for http://www.Cash4Redlines.com

He has partnered with Dave Briggs who has been collecting vintage Hot Wheels since childhood, and started buying entire collections of Redlines in 1994.

Besides collecting vintage Hot Wheels, Dave also buys vintage collections (Redlines that were issued between 1968 and 1977) and also has a website that explains his Hot Wheels buying process at: http://www.Cash4Redlines.com

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

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Preserve New Takara Tomica Toy Cars With Thirsty Hippo!

Tomica Evolution X, VI and Honda Civic Type R Toy Cars. These cars are always in demand especially with the speed maniacs. Hey if you are a family man that requires a sporty ride and yet provide enough room for your family, Evo is the way to go.

In the Tomica world, these are also popular models. I have asked around the large chain stores and Tomica Speciality Stores and feedback was the EVOs are fast running out! Collect yours now...

This especially true for Tomica Honda Civic Type R and Initial D AE86, these cars are in so high demand that in some markets, there are literary none left (Large Chain Stores, Hobby Shops). Some of these cars fetch a whooping 400% increased in price from the original price.

I am convinced that high demand collector cars will go up in value after a while just like antique items. So how to keep them in mint condition ?

My 2 collector mates said to use Thirsty Hippo which will suck up the moisture from air and will assist in keeping the cars in their original condition.

This is what I am doing,

1) Wax the cars with Turtle WAX. Use only micro fibre cloth. Once they are shinning and up to your standard.......

2) Place them in their original box. Bubble wrap them for extra protection.

3) Seal them up in a box with thirsty hippo!

4) Of course I have also models displayed in my Ikea Billy Bookcase and not everything in the sealed box. I need to use up the 2nd book shelf at the rate the cars are coming in...

Want to know more and interested in buying/trading sort after Tomica cars...check out my blog in the Author's Bio.

George Tomica Toy Car Corner http://georgetoycar.blogspot.com/

A Collector of exotics Tomica and Hot Wheels toy cars. This include sourcing from overseas market and Specialist Tomica outlets. We sell and trade sort after cars! Contact: georgetoycar@yahoo.com

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

Friday, April 23, 2010

Understanding Toy Model Trains

When it comes to trains, the iconic figure that made trains a part of every little boy's fantasy was Thomas the Train. There was something that those little boys felt about trains, although they couldn't really explain it back then. When they've grown into young men, they then realize that the feeling they had was the desire to control such a powerful machine.

Boys will always be boys, and the love for toys never fades away. A small replica of the real thing can fascinate grown men who used to love them when they were kids. It could be because they are curious as to how they work, or they are simply fascinated with the likeness of the miniature to the real thing. It could be the steadiness of the course of a train - going nowhere except where the track leads it. It could also be the nostalgia felt when they remember that big train going around the big Christmas tree - bringing forth the desire to simulate it in, literally, smaller fashion. However, the term "toys" is no longer applicable to model trains. Fortunately for men, the toys that they loved as kids grew up with them in the form of little machines - ready to give them the satisfaction from trains.

Toy trains are often simply made out of plastic and are put up on sale during Christmas. While these are of less quality, it is a good start for those who want to get into the hobby. Boys grow up into men. Toy trains evolve into locomotives. Locomotives are of course much more durable than their plastic counterparts. They are also not so easily moved with simple pushes. Locomotives makes use of electricity to move, and the contact with the tracks supplies these replicas with their energy, and that's what's get them going. These may seem like simple aspects, but these are what put the smile on the enthusiast's face. Locomotives also have superior engines than toys. The better the engine, the stronger it pulls, and the more cars it can pull behind it. Toys are made of plastic while locomotives are made out of metal. The better the quality of the locomotive, the better weight plays a role. The locomotive runs better if it makes more contact with the track, so heavier is better.

Due to the popularity of the hobby, model train manufacturers offer trains with steam engines - much to the delight of the little boy in every grown man. There are a lot of trains in the market with steam engines, and having this simply brings life to the whole setup.

There aren't a lot of people who know how to drive or have actually driven a train. There are those who dreamed of it but saw it as a dream and not a hobby and there are others who drive trains for a living but do not see it as a fulfilled fantasy. You do not have to be train operators or drivers to realize this dream. Simply indulge in the hobby of model train and railroading, and you will satisfy what you craved for all along - trains.

Jason R. Dodson is a toy enthusiast and a miniature piece collector with a special interest in locomotives. He pays special attention to his model trains and has built the website http://www.ultimatemodeltraincenter.com to help model railroaders get started with the hobby.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_R._Dodson

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Value of Tin Toys

Tin toys are the thing of the past but like all things of the past, they carry certain values into the future. For tin toys, they carry more than just nostalgic memories of innocent childhood spent winding up the favorite tin robot or chasing around with friends wielding tin pistols. Tin toys of the past that still exists in the present also carry monetary value. Tin toys nowadays are considered collector's items and are sought after by many toy collectors.

To get a good price on an old tin toy, it must be in pristine condition. If the tin toy comes with the original box, then the value goes up even further. Just to give you an idea of how much a tin toy in good shape can sell for, we will take the Doing the Howdy Doody tin toy as an example. The Howdy Doody tin toy comes with a lithographed tin wind-up piano and a band consisting of Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob. Howdy Doody dances and stands at 8" tall while Buffalo Bob sits at the piano measuring 7" tall. This whole set if available in mint condition with the box can fetch a cool $2000 or more.

Don't get carried away with thinking that every tin toy will fetch a price like the Howdy Doody toy though as most of the tin toys owned by people would have some wear and tear because it was played with. Nobody expected that an innocent looking toy would end up being collectibles in the future.

It is not all about money though. Some people are not interested in selling their old tin toys because of the nostalgic value that the toys hold. If you own a tin toy that was your favorite while you were a kid, chances are the toy would be pretty worn out by now. The good news is that you can take that favorite tin toy to a professional and have it restored to its glory days. Experts in tin toy restoration can knock out the dents, smooth the scratches and even replace missing parts. The color will also be restored so that the toy is as good as new.

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

Star Wars Spud Trooper - Mr Potato Head Turned Star Wars Collectible

Do you have children that are fans of the Star Wars Saga? Maybe you are a toy collector or a collector of Star Wars memorabilia? If you fall under any of these categories, then you should check out the new Star Wars Spud Trooper. These new toys that have hit the market are sure to sell like hot cakes. Taking from the classic Mr. Potato Head toys of yester year, these toys depict one of three different characters from the Star Wars movies.

These toys come with removable and replaceable parts. This will allow you to mix and match your toys to come up with new and unique looks for them. They are designed for children 2 years old or older. These toys can provide hours of fun for any young child with an imagination. You can purchase even more of these Star Wars Spud Troopers to create your Spud Trooper Army.

On the other hand, if you are toy collector or Star Wars collector, then these Star Wars Spud Troopers are a must have. Whether it is because it is the newest piece of Star Wars toy memorabilia or just a handsome reminder of toys from your past, they will make a great addition to your collection.

Whether you are battling the forces of the alliance or collecting memories, these Star Wars Spud Troopers will make the perfect gift For the Star Wars fan in your life. From the young to the young at heart, you can't go wrong with gifts such as these.

Make the Star Wars collectible fan on your list grin from ear to ear this year with a Star Wars Spud Trooper!

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

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Specialty Toy Insurance is Not Auto Insurance

To begin, let's look at types of insurable "toys": Motorcycles, Boats, Recreational Vehicles, Dune Buggies and Sandrails, All Terrain Vehicles, Side-By-Side Utility Vehicles, Modified Golf Carts, Golf Carts, Snowmobiles, Collector Vehicles, Travel Trailers and Personal Watercraft.

Why do all of these vehicle types need their own individual insurance coverage? Any vehicle issued a state registration needs to be properly insured. All 50 states have adopted the required minimum liability insurance requirements. In Arizona, the minimum liability limits are 15/30/10. Insurance is not designed to have one policy meet all vehicle needs. If you need a screwdriver you do not buy a hammer. Vehicle insurance is no different. A motorcycle policy is not designed to cover the insurance needs of a boat.

What makes these vehicle's insurance coverage requirements different from auto insurance? Insurance for automobiles is rated on several factors such as garaging zip code, daily usage, one way miles to work, new and current value, number of liable accidents your specific automobile is involved in, the state you live in, and your own personal driving history (tickets and accidents).

Insurance for "toys" is primarily based on usage and value. Example, a highly 'customized' Harley-Davidson has an increased premium for physical damage (Comprehensive and Collision) because to replace the 'custom' paint and accessories cost more that the factory stock accessories. The liability is the same amount no matter the increased value of the motorcycle. Motorcycles are the exception to the daily usage factor because some are used as a daily commuter vehicle.

Another example, street legal sandrails can sell for over $100,000 directly from the manufacturer. Again the liability is based on the frequency of accidents that particular vehicle is involved in over the past 5 years or more and the average dollar amount paid out. Where the majority of premium is derived from is value, the amount the insurance company is responsible to pay out in a total loss. In this case, the insured value is $100,000. The usage of the vehicle is obvious, it is not going to be used as someone's daily commuter vehicle so garaging zip code, one way miles, rural or urban residence are not substantial factors used in determining the premium. However, without these factors, insurance companies have a harder chore determining a competitive yet profitable premium.

Let's take a look at boats and factors involved with determining their rates. Boat insurance is based on 3 independent items: hull, motor, and trailer. All three items are value based premium determination because each can be destroyed independent of the other two. The motor is the largest rating factor for liability because that is what causes the accidents. All boat insurers want to know the horsepower and maximum m.p.h. the motor is capable of obtaining.

The larger the motor the faster the boat goes which creates difficulty in handling and increases chance of a liable accident which have direct consequences in the rate. Sailboats with in board diesel motors also fall into this rating category but, because the horsepower and typical usage of the vessel is sail power, liability for sailboats is obviously much lower than power boats. The hull rate is based almost solely on new and/or current value same with the trailer. Base rates for a 25' performance ski boat are much higher than base rates for a 25' day cruiser sailboat due to the handling differences of under power versus under sail.

Recreational Vehicles, including travel trailers, are truly a unique risks to insure and determine a competitive rate. RV's are a combination of auto insurance and home insurance. If you think about it, RV's are a house on wheels with your own personal items inside traveling around the country. Much more so than today's Mobile Homes which are no longer manufactured to be mobile once placed on your property. Rates are determined in common with auto insurance: usage, value, garaging zip code and state, and liable accidents. Along with other 'toy' items, RV value also has a determining factor in rates.

Most insurance companies will allow full replacement cost on an RV less than five years old. What that means to you, the RV owner, is you have an option to insure the vehicle's value for what you paid new within the first five years of that vehicle. After the fifth year, the value determination goes to actual cash value, otherwise known as depreciated or current value. Example: on 01-01-2010 you purchase a 2010 Monaco for $100,000 you can insure that vehicle for $100,000 replacement value until 2015. If you purchased a 2005 Monaco for $100,000 on 01-01-2010, the insurance company will value it at the current value regardless of what you paid.

What about your possessions in the RV? Like auto insurance, if an item came with the RV from the manufacturer it is included in the optional physical damage (comprehensive and collision) portion of the policy. If you brought a personal possession into the RV from your home as a permanent item, then you need to notify the insurance company of the increased amount of possessions. Most RV policies have built in limits ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. If your possessions exceed the built in limit, you should call your agent to increase the policy limit.

My favorite of the 'toys' are collector cars. Hot Rods, Street Rods, Classic Muscle cars, European Exotics, Kit Cars all examples of collector car classifications. These are simple policies insuring primarily the appraised value of your vehicle. The two main insurers of collector cars are Hagerty and Grundy Worldwide. The applications are simple and easy. That is because they know you are storing your baby in the garage only bringing her out to show off or take her to the Saturday car show.

Typical liability for these policies is less than $100 per year for $500,000 coverage limit. The bulk of the rate is determined from the insured value also known as appraised value. You will be required to obtain an appraisal from an accredited appraiser in your area and submit that to the insurance company. Usual set rates range from $.20 per $1,000 of value to $.75 per $1,000 of value depending on age of your vehicle and if it is considered high performance like Corvettes, Mustangs, and European Exotics.

I hope this sheds some light on the differences between auto, home and specialty insurance policies and needs. We live in an ever changing world which places insurance companies in the postion to keep up with what we are demanding as the insurable public. As we buy things, our insurance policies need to make sure the new thing can be protected adequately.

As manufactures introduce new or revised editions of the things we like, insurance companies need to make sure they are aware of these new things and changes and adjust policies to meet the new requirements. Golf carts have been moving from the golf course out onto public streets creating a new usage issue. That is one topic I avoided because insurance companies have not uniformly decided how to treat and insure these items. That is an example of new usage of an existing vehicle posing problems for insurance companies. If you ever have a question as to whether or not something should be insured, call your agent immediately.

Sean Kimbrough
President
Big Boy Toy Insurance
http://www.bigboytoyinsurance.com
520.908.7866

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


Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Antique Toys & Collectible Value

If you are a collector of antique toys, you will be in seventh heaven at the choices available today. These collections deserve to be shown off, where they can be admired by visitors and friends as well as your own family.

There are thousands of antique toys for sale online at any one time. It's great to know that you can add to your collection, and also find out the worth of pieces you already have.

What do you think is the number one collectible toy? If you said Barbie, well done! The popularity if this busty blonde shows no sign of diminishing, and keeping them in their original boxes will make them very valuable in the future. My sister is a Barbie nut, and has everyone ever made.

When I was growing up, nobody wanted jack in the boxes. Nowadays, everyone wants one and they are changing hands for vast amounts. The fact that they aren't produced anymore has really sparked interest amongst younger collectors.

Baseball toys belong in a league of their own, pardon the pun. Whereas an ordinary toy is indicative of a time, cards, gloves and bats are historical items that can be linked to some of the all time greats of the game. People are still under the misconception that a scratched or battered toy has no value, the value of antique toys is very often increased due to wear and tear.

Most old toys will have some kind of value, how much depends on their age and availability. A mass produced toy without a box may fetch a few pence, where as a limited edition in its box could be quite valuable. Check out cupboards and boxes when clearing out old houses, you never know what treasures you may find. An old adage that can be applied to most collectibles is that to remember that even if it isn't very special to you; it may well be special to somebody else.

Todd Grummans has additional articles on leather conditioner and how it works. Find these articles at http://leatherconditioner.net.

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

Monday, April 19, 2010

Starting a Collection With a Lionel Train Set

Have you ever seen a well built train replica set chugging down small but realistic tracks? All the length of the train set is running along a track surrounded by miniature town replicas complete with toy town people, cars, trucks, horses and the hills, farms and mountains all around it? That is a true blue train set fanatic's creation which every fan and real collectors will truly enjoy having and running.

And if it's good for those collectors, it is definitely also a good thing for you to start your own collection with a Lionel train set.

Why a Lionel train set in the first place? Well, if you want to be a collector of classic locomotives you might as well start with the best. Lionel has been making train replicas for a long time that many of us would have probably seen and enjoyed one while we were kids.

Many adults have fond memories of having a Lionel trains. The joy that is felt seeing a small replica of real classic locomotives is not only hard to describe, but also a bit nostalgic to begin with. That is because every child has dreamed of owning a train, even if just a toy one. And now that you have all grown up, you might still have the desire within your heart. Since you now have the means to do it compared to when you were a kid, starting with a Lionel train set is always the best choice.

A Lionel train is not simply a toy. Every set is a collector's item. There is a fine attention to details for every part from the signages on the box cars, to the windows, to the wheels and also to the engines that power every train set. Simply put, when it comes to trains, you can never go wrong with a Lionel set.

Alan provides information about Lionel Train Set through his website on Lionel Train Sets

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

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Why Toy Horses Are Not Just Horse Toys Anymore

In about 1950, the first toy horses were introduced in America. Since then, these toys have continued to grow in popularity. Along the way, toy horses became more than just a horse toy. They became a popular hobby that includes horse painting, photographing, prop and tack making, exhibiting and collecting valuable model horses.

Breyer capitalized on the growing collector hobby by introducing a hobby magazine in the 1970's. Then they launched the first limited edition artist resins model horses in the 1980's. By the 1990's, the collectors hobby blossomed and continues to be very popular today. Limited edition artist resins are released now with very limited editions of a few hundred pieces, or in some cases only 50 pieces. These pieces usually sell out quickly. After these toy horses are sold out, they increase significantly in value in the collector's market.

By 1996, Breyer toy horses were no longer the only game in town. Stone horses were introduced with horses just as detailed, some would argue more detailed, than Breyer. While Breyer caters to the huge toy market as well as the collector's market, Stone focuses more on limited edition collectibles. Other brands also entered the market including Hagen-Renaker Horses. Today, Schleich and Safari also offer detailed, hand-painted model horses. However, Schleich and Safari are more popular as toys rather than collectibles, perhaps due to the smaller size of their 1:24 scale horses compared to the larger 1:9 scale for Breyer and Stone horses. Despite all the competitors, Breyer still dominates this market for both toy horses and collectibles.

Our company was first introduced to the world of model horse toys in 2007 when we added the Breyer products to our store. Since we already carried a lot of other toys, we assumed these would be just another toy category. We were surprised last year when Breyer gave us a gift of a few limited edition artist resins with a suggested price of $300 each. We thought they would never sell but we were wrong. Our customers were eager to pay that price because these were no longer just another horse toy to them. These toy horses had taken on a whole new value as rare collectibles.

What began as a horse toy has developed into a full-blown hobby with thousands of devoted hobbyists all over the world.

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

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

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Collecting GI Joe Toys - A 3000 Percent Return on Investment?

Growing up in the 1980's, some of my favorite toys belonged to the 3 and 3/4 inch tall G.I. Joe action figure line. After purchasing a few vintage Joes on Ebay as an adult, I enjoyed the nostalgia that they provided and decided to start collecting again. Ebay provided an endless supply, but I had one problem. How much were they actually worth? An Ebay auction alone is a good barometer of an item's value, but was I getting a good deal on a particular auction, or was I overpaying? I was shocked to see some unopened figures selling for hundreds of dollars.

I searched all over the internet for a GI Joe price guide, but could not find one. I ended up buying a collector's book and watching thousands of auctions to get a feel for what individual G.I. Joe figures and vehicles were worth. Not only did I learn a great deal about the 1980's Joes, I also became educated about the figures and vehicles sold from the early 1990's -- all the way up to the toys being sold today.

Being a toy collector is not only a fun hobby for thousands of people, it is also a great investment. Keeping in mind that the value of anything is totally dependant on what someone is willing to pay, and that any investment involves risk, toys have always been popular collectors' items and usually increase in value over time. They remind us of pleasant childhood memories, or the memories of a son or daughter's early years. A few things that add special value to Hasbro's G.I. Joe line are: a following which sometimes nears cult status, respectable quality, and a longevity that spans over 40 years.

If the joy of collecting is the only motivation, the 3 and 3/4 inch GI Joe and Cobra forces provide plenty of things to do. There are a wide variety of fascinating figures and vehicles to collect. There is the thrill of the search for rare variations and sets. A simple joy is displaying the highly poseable collectibles; and if figures and vehicles are broken or incomplete, they can usually be fixed or completed. There are sub-hobbies to explore such as custom figure creation and diorama displays. And finally, a toy collection is one that can be shared with one's children or friends, and eventually passed on for generations.

Brian Maksel
Creator of http://www.GIJoePriceGuide.com/

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


Friday, April 16, 2010

Collecting Electronic Toys - Classic Video Games and Consoles

Back in the 60's, the first electronic games started showing up in toy stores. One of these electronic toys was a TV video game, called Odyssey. Nearly one hundred thousand of these games was sold. If you are interested in collecting electronic toys, this would be a sure fire winner.

In the 70's, Miss Happy Heart made the scene. It was one of the first toys that included an electronic device. The original intent of this creation was for installing it inside teddy bears or dolls, and it was supposed to be used to create soothing music that would put your fussy baby to sleep. Miss Happy Heart came with a toy stethoscope, and was manufactured in the United Kingdom.

In the late 70's, several more electronic games were invented. Remember that fun game, Simon? And then there was Maniac, Computer Perfection and Amazatron. Of course, not all of these games are guaranteed to be hits for collecting electronic toys, but anything that's this old, and is still in good shape is worth something to a collector.

Today's electronic games are more sophisticated, and they seem to be getting more technologically advanced as each year passes. There are the small battery operated hand held games, the games that are displayed on the TV screen, and the large arcade games. A popular electronic game in this decade is 'Wall-E,' a robot that was introduced via a movie. The electronic toy robot runs by remote control, and there is also a button that will play 4 or 5 different songs, and a button to play sound effects.

Back in the day, some of the most popular icons of collecting electronic toys were the trains and the race cars. The old train sets are huge in the collectors world today, especially if they're in good condition. Some people travel around the world just to see some of these old trains. There are also trade shows you can visit, where you will see hundreds of trains and villages set up and in motion. This is eye candy at its best. The remote controlled race cars have been big ever since their inception. Only today there are a lot more options on the remote control, and a lot more varieties of race cars to choose from.

There are many websites to purchase these toys at, thanks to the ever growing popularity in collecting electronic toys. Ebay seems to be your best bet for the huge selection available, but there are still stores that you can visit who specialize in collectors toys, especially in the antique store markets. You can even find some of these toys at garage sales, or by keeping an eye out for collector toys in your local newspaper.

So if collecting electronic toys is your thing, then go for it! It's an enjoyable hobby, and fun for everyone!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about collecting electronic toys [http://collectingelectronictoysonline.info/difference-between-nitro-power-and-gas-cars], please visit Collecting Electronic Toys Online [http://collectingelectronictoysonline.info] for current articles and discussions.

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

The 5 Coolest James Bond Toys Ever Released

Surely my collecting friends have had a chance to check out the new James Bond flick that was recently released. This newest and latest in the series of Bond focused adventures, Quantum of Solace, is the spy movie adventure of the season. Of course, every 007 fan always needs a little piece of the action to keep at home as a reminder of the Bond mania.

While you may not be able to find your own 007 license to take care of the bad guys, you might be able to find something almost as thrilling. There is an entire array of James Bond related merchandise that is available for fans and collectors. There are no collectors quite as avid about their purchases as movie buffs and the James Bond 007 toy collectors.

Let's take a look at the top 5 James Bond collectibles that have a serious connection to our favorite secret agent.

- For the vintage toy collector of 007 toys, the Mego rendition of the Moonraker character, Jaws, is a must have classic. This metal mouthed behemoth was more than a handful of action all combined in one giant body. This one item is extremely rare and is difficult to find in any condition. Finding one that is mint in the package still creates a great deal of excitement for toy collectors today.

- In 1965 there was a great car set introduced to the public that was all about the Bond character and films. This is a toy manufactured by Scalextric and it came with a really cool, white Aston-Martin and a black, enemy driven Mercedes. The set included the cars, track, and controllers. For kids at the time, and even adults, this was the ultimate secret agent toy.

- During the 60's there was also a great action doll produced by the Gilbert Toy Company. This was a figure that was meant to resemble Sean Connery who was playing the dashing 007. This action hero was produced with an arm mechanism that actually worked to help this debonair agent escape tight situations. There were even some shockingly bright, orange fins to help him out during underwater exploits.

- In 1997 the Corgi company packaged a Lotus Esprit with a metal mouthed Jaws figure which was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary for one of the most famous of all Bond films, "The Spy Who Loved Me." This nicely detailed car is equipped with realistic features that are very well made and even includes a necessary arsenal of super weaponry to keep our favorite agent safe.

- For serious collectors, having the special edition of the 007 Monopoly game is another treat to have in their collection of toys that honor this iconic legend. The game is played in the same manner as the original Monopoly version, but the playing pieces, board and cards all have to do with the James Bond character and films.

Scott is an avid collector of James Bond Toys and, despite being in his 50's, never wants to "grow-up".

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

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Transformers Toys Are Hot Collectibles

Transformers, the movie recently caused a stir in the US box office, and ever since I can remember, as I kid I had dozens of transformers toys. Today transformers toys have become collectable items, and there is a market for old transformer toys, I remember my first ever transformer toy was a green tank. Recently I was surprised to find out that the tank was now worth nearly $500! If you have been smart enough to hold on to your transformer toys then you should log on to different sites to know how much your transformer toy is worth.

Contrary to popular belief transformer toys too are catalogued based on their year of manufacture; the earliest being transformers manufactured between 1984 and 1990. In fact if you have a transformer toy that was manufactured between 1984 and 1990, then you will be surprised to know that a lot of the transformers from that time are now collector's item and can go for upwards of $100. Transformer toys have been popular in countries like Japan, USA and Canada; in fact a majority of transformer toy collectors are in Japan, however the demand for transformer toys in America is also on the rise.

Depending on the condition of the toy and also the year of manufacture a transformer toy can be worth a lot, in fact if you are lucky to be the owner of a limited series transformer Autobot from the 1984 series, an original unopened transformer from the first generation of transformers could be worth close to $1000.

Another popular collectors item in transformer toys are 'bootleg' transformers, these toys are actually made for a particular country, since they are not authorized for distribution in countries like the US or Canada, they are very rare to find. Another misconception with 'bootleg' transformers is that they are poor quality copies; this is not true sometimes the 'bootleg' transformers are superior in quality to authorized transformers products. If you have a transformer toy that was not an authorized transformers product, then you might just be in possession of a rare product and you should hold on to it.

With so many transformers toys produced in the past 3 decades it's become increasingly difficult to keep up with all the product lines, in fact in Japan alone there are some very interesting transformers available. One of the most controversial lines of transformer toys called the Kiss Players line is considered to be for adults only and some toys are pornographic in nature. Once again since this was a limited series created in Japan alone, this makes for a popular collector's item.

If you are looking for transformers toys or other collectables related to transformers, you can visit sites like transformersnation.com that offer quality transformer toys, and offer transformers toys that attract both first time buyers and collectors alike. If you are still not sure what you are looking for, or how much your transformer toy is worth, you can always search for other transformers related articles and products online and find out what your transformer toy is worth today.

Matthew Ryan is the author of this article on Transformer Toys. Find more information about Transformer Toys here.

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

Nascar Diecast Cars Are a Collector's Favorite

What are Nascar Diecast Model Cars

Nascar diecast model cars are collectible toys that are produced using a die casting method. The cars are made of a metal alloy of aluminum and zinc, with the remaining parts of the car being plastic. Along with the growing popularity of Nascar racing in the 1990s, came the die cast cars and trucks of Nascar painted in the colors of the different racing teams. There were several different manufacturers of these products in the beginning with many of these manufacturers either dropping or selling their Nascar line as time has gone by.

The History of Die Cast Cars

Diecast (or die cast, or die-cast) toys were first produced early in the 20th century by manufacturers in the United Kingdom and in the United States. The first models on the market were basic, consisting of a small car or van body with no interior. In the early days it was common for impurities in the metal alloy to result in metal fatigue and the casting would crack or decompose for no apparent reason. As a result, diecast toys made before World War II are difficult to find in good condition.

In or about 1947, the popular Matchbox 1-75 series was developed and manufactured. The series was so named because there were always 75 different vehicles in the line, each packaged in a small box designed to look like those used for matches. These toys became so popular that "Matchbox" was widely used as a generic term for any diecast toy car, regardless of who the actual manufacturer was.

Nascar Diecasts Become Collectibles

As with anything developed with the sports fan in mind, these toy cars quickly became collectible items. As drivers such as the late Dale Earnhardt arrived at the track with different paint color schemes, a new diecast car would quickly arrive to match that new paint scheme and the fans of each driver would have to have the new car to add to their collection of memorabilia. Many of these cars are produced in special or limited additions which immediately make them attractive due to their limited availability. Thus, with the limited availability, as well as the addition of autographed models, these unique little diecast cars have become a favorite of Nascar collectors everywhere.

"To learn much more about Nascar Diecast model cars, please visit http://hubpages.com/hub/Nascar-Diecast-Cars-Collectibles."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Michael_Clark

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Collecting Pedal Cars

Classic pedal cars have remained a favorite with collectors ever since the original craze of the 1950's and 1960's. Most of today's collectors remember their own pedal toys from their childhood, and want to collect pedal toys to remember their childhood. Others collect pedal toys because they are smaller and less expensive versions of real classic cars, making them easier to collect for car enthusiasts.

For a time in the 1970's and 1980's, none of these steel toys could be purchased at all, as they had all been replaced by plastic cars. Today, steel pedal toys built just like the classic styles are available for both young children and adult collectors. Other new introductions include a very popular line of Hallmark ornaments designed to look just like these classic toys. This can be a great way to enjoy a collection without having to find a way to display and store several large pedal toys.

Showing off a collection can be quite challenging, especially if you have more than a handful. Most serious collectors end up dedicating a room of their home, or their garage, to the hobby.

Many adult collectors also enjoy collecting the original cars, today up to fifty or sixty years old. Though most show significant wear due to generations of children, restored versions can cost thousands of dollars when sold at auction.

For most collectors, the major decision is whether to focus on vintage cars, restored cars, new models, or a combination. New versions or worn pedal cars that have not yet been refurbished can be quite less expensive than a restored car. When purchasing a vintage pedal toy, the number one determinant of price is condition, although the rarity of the specific model can also affect its desirability. Like most collectibles, being as close to the original condition as possible can increase the price dramatically. Non-restored vintage pedal cars can be found anywhere from a hundred dollars to a thousand dollars depending on the condition and desirability of the model. If you want to be a serious pedal toy collector, research the various popular makers and models, so you know what makes a car desirable in the pedal car collector market.

Some collectors enjoy purchasing vintage pedal cars as restoration projects, using new-old-stock or reproduction parts to bring their cars back to their former glory. On the other hand, purchasing restored versions can offer the best of both worlds: an authentic vintage pedal car, with the shiny paint and exquisite detailing offered by a reproduction version. Professional restorations usually include a new paint job, sometimes much more complicated than the original color scheme.

When collecting pedal toys, some collectors choose to focus on a particular niche, such as fire trucks, airplanes, or hot rod cars. Most collectors simply choose the models that they like, whichever they may be. Although your own preferences will and should influence your choices, remember that collecting pedal cars can also be a wise investment.

Classic Pedal Cars specializes in premium quality pedal cars. All our pedal cars are stamped steel, not plastic and will last for years. Why not check out our 1932 Ford Fire Truck to start your collection!.

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

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Great Reasons to Buy Tonka Toy Trucks

Tonka toy trucks have been around now for over 60 years, one main reason these toys are so popular is because of there strong build and durability.

Over the years Tonka have developed numerous different styles and sizes of trucks, all with the same build quality you would expect from a top manufacturer. This is an important consideration to parents when buying your child a toy, the last thing you want is for the toy to break after a few hours of rough play. The one big advantage you will get with the steel type Tonka toy is that some of them come with a lifetime guarantee, this shows the toy company is totally confident in the strength and build quality of there trucks.

One main reason children are attracted to the trucks are the actual size of the toy, plus the high quality paint finish these trucks have is very eye catching and replicates the real thing.They have managed to replicate the design of the workings of each truck they make, this makes the toys look as close to the real thing as possible. The cost of these trucks can be slightly more expensive than the competition due to the build quality, but this can be worth the expense in the long term as the toy truck when looked after will last for years. As for the cheaper versions you might have to buy two or three different toys a year to replace them once they have broken, this can work out to be even more expensive than the initial cost of a Tonka truck.

This type of toy truck is not only for children these days, there are numerous collectors around whom show great pride in their collection of Tonka trucks. If you are interested in becoming a collector of these toys then there is plenty of information online on how to start, there is an abundance of toy trucks out there so starting a collection should not be a problem.

So if you are looking for toys for your children that are built to last a long time and give them years of enjoyment playing with them, then you should check out the Tonka toy truck range available to buy today.

If you are looking for tonka toy trucks then visit http://tonkatoytrucks.net for information and some great deals.

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

Monday, April 12, 2010

Little Kylie's Jurassic Park Toys

I have a nephew who absolutely adores his Jurassic Park toys. He sleeps with them, eats with them, and well, of course... he plays with them, day in and day out. Although it initially baffled me why this little kid would actually like spending all his time with these dinosaur figures because they actually look like the real thing only in a miniature size which means they DO look scary and ready to chase after you and bite you, after observing Kylie playing during one of the afternoons I looked after him, I realized it was the excitement and the imaginary adventure the Jurassic Park toys brought that ultimately thrilled Kylie.

I remember that hit Steven Spielberg movie came out when I was around 9 years old. Kylie's a few years shy that age, but his dad already made him watch the movie to his delight. Shortly after that Kylie begged everyone for a Jurassic Park toy for his birthday. And because my sweet little nephew is a smarty pants, he even told his mom and dad that they had to give him one birthday gift each. Not the usual one big wrapped box with the tag saying: "Happy Birthday, Sweetie. We love you!" The more people he could ask for gifts, the more Jurassic Park toys he'd be getting.

I applauded my nephew for his tactics. I was so impressed that at his young age he could be so creative in terms of going after what he wants that I actually ended up buying him four Jurassic Park toys. I got him a Pteranodon which looks like a bird, and Kylie, immediately after opening my first gift box, ran around flapping its wings and snapping its beak. There's also the Triceratops, my personal favorite among all four Jurassic Park toys I gave him. And of course the classic T-Rex and I added the young T-Rex for good measure. Kylie was just beyond ecstatic. He kept hugging me in delight. His mom and dad and other family friends also added to his little collection of dinosaurs. Kylie now has his own little world from all the Jurassic Park toys he got for his birthday.

Like I said, the make-believe adventure and journey those toys bring is exactly what makes it so appealing to my little nephew. I'm sure other little boys out there would affirm.

I can only hope now that Kylie takes care of his Jurassic Park toys so that once the time comes that he outgrows them, he can still pass this little adventurous world to maybe a future little brother, a cousin... or who knows, maybe even his future kids.

Everyone loves dinosaurs. So it doesn't come as a surprise that kid's just go ga-ga over dinosaur toys! And what better gift than uber-cool Jurassic Park Toys based on the blockbuster movie.

You'll definitely love this line of dinosaur toys!

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

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Action Figure Market

Toys or Action Figures form a fundamental part of every child's life. A picture at a child's collections can make you understand about their characteristics. This is the time where a boy separates from the girls. Girls prefer to have a kitchen sets and dolls whereas boys choose to play with toy guns, cars and action figures. This is the reason why toy stores arrange their toys on a gender arrangement basis. Collectibles action figure market has all the best and the hard to find toys. There is a big range of variations available in different sizes and shapes. All people that collect this kind of toys have their own various reasons.

If you are planning to collect a particular toy with good action resemblance then there are some things you need to keep in mind. Before you start collecting, make sure you have a purpose. You need to compressed down the specific reasons when comes to action figures. Before you start buying all those collectible toys you need to decide whether it is just a plain collection to share or you are doing this to make money.

Finding the figure of this toy that you want is a long process for collectors. You can start looking at your local toy stores but if you cannot locate what you are looking for then browsing it on an auction website is the perfect answer. But for sure it will cost you a lot of money. There are some websites on the internet that offers hard to find these toys and memorabilia's. Internet is a great way to get you specific action figure. One is the action figure market; they offer a wide collection of toys, from the oldest toys to the newly released toys.

Browsing on a toy collection magazine is also a good and possible place to locate an action figure that you can purchase and sometimes they also offer those toys in a lesser price. Almost all collectors like a particular series very much and they usually purchase two units of the same type, one to play and the other to display and preserved. When you unpacked the toy from its packaging you actually devalue the action figures into its half price.

There are pros and cons about purchasing pre-owned or mint toys depends on the purpose whether you will bought it for a reason to increase its value or just to enjoy to own one. Pros of mint toys, it's just mint but not destroyed, all it needs is a little maintenance to keep and make it good. There is a preferred value and it is not that hard to determine. Old mint type of toys retain a higher status in the collection. On the con side, when you purchase it from another collector it means that you have already spent what you can get out of it. Purchasing a mint toy of this figure does not assure you that its price will increase. When all toys have a large quantity and all can avail and own the price of this extraordinary toy will surely decrease. So if you are planning to have a collection of rare toys then you must browse on the action figure market.

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

Saturday, April 10, 2010

The Nuts and Bolts of Buying Old Vintage Farm Toys

Oddly enough one the most popular farm toy is the vintage manure spreaders. After all you have to have your toy tractor pull something around, don't you? And since almost every farm or any large size garden in the country used a spreader of some kind or another, it is no wonder that toy vintage manure spreaders end up being so collectable.

Buying Farm Toys and Other Vintage Products

According to the experts, the term vintage refers to any item that is at least 20-30 years old. So many people are surprised that the toys they played with in their childhood, especially, old vintage farm tractors with those tiny working vintage manure spreaders may be worth a tidy sum of money.

Collecting vintage farm toys can be a wonderful hobby, especially for those who have fond memories of growing up carefree and wild in the rural countryside. In the US, families were known by the farming equipment they used, John Deere Green, Ford Blues, IHC and Massey Ferguson Reds.

And so farm toy collectors often follow along with their family traditions. Many collectors stay more or less with the type of manufactures of manure spreaders and machinery that grew up on. So depending on the individual a missing vintage toy from a specific brand or era could fetch an unusually high price at auctions.

So the first step in developing a sellable collection is to concentrate on a particular farm machinery maker. And the best way to do that is by collecting vintage farm toys that you personally like.

By collecting trucks, tractors, wagons and other vintage toys like manure spreaders from say from a specific company like John Deere or International Harvester (IHC), you will naturally over the course of time become an expert in that area.

Next you need to understand your budget constraints. During hard economic times, collectors just like everyone else are prone to sell off their valued items in order to make some fast cash. But there are certain things you need to be aware of before you bid on just any old replica vintage manure spreaders.

Remember the condition of a toy is all important. Check for excessive wear and tear. Are any tiny parts or detailed moldings broken off or worn away? Is the model working the way it was designed to work? Has it been damaged and new or replacement parts added or been repaired? Is the paint chipped, or banged up?

If you are not sure if you are looking at the original or a clever reproduction don't be afraid to rely on the expert opinion of more experienced collector or a reputable dealer. If you don't know of any local experts contact the nearest vintage toy club in your area for help or get in touch with a museum that specializes in similar items.

Once you have determined the condition of a toy such as vintage manure spreaders and tractors, etc. you can buy with some measure of safety.

His dad was a shipping magnet and because of that, Marc and his family had to travel with him constantly.He gained a lot of knowledge through that. With his dad's influence he went into importing and exporting and this kept him on the road. He is settled in one place now and find it most fulfilling in writing articles. View more articles at http://www.manurespreaderreviews.com.

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

The Nuts and Bolts of Buying Old Vintage Farm Toys

Oddly enough one the most popular farm toy is the vintage manure spreaders. After all you have to have your toy tractor pull something around, don't you? And since almost every farm or any large size garden in the country used a spreader of some kind or another, it is no wonder that toy vintage manure spreaders end up being so collectable.

Buying Farm Toys and Other Vintage Products

According to the experts, the term vintage refers to any item that is at least 20-30 years old. So many people are surprised that the toys they played with in their childhood, especially, old vintage farm tractors with those tiny working vintage manure spreaders may be worth a tidy sum of money.

Collecting vintage farm toys can be a wonderful hobby, especially for those who have fond memories of growing up carefree and wild in the rural countryside. In the US, families were known by the farming equipment they used, John Deere Green, Ford Blues, IHC and Massey Ferguson Reds.

And so farm toy collectors often follow along with their family traditions. Many collectors stay more or less with the type of manufactures of manure spreaders and machinery that grew up on. So depending on the individual a missing vintage toy from a specific brand or era could fetch an unusually high price at auctions.

So the first step in developing a sellable collection is to concentrate on a particular farm machinery maker. And the best way to do that is by collecting vintage farm toys that you personally like.

By collecting trucks, tractors, wagons and other vintage toys like manure spreaders from say from a specific company like John Deere or International Harvester (IHC), you will naturally over the course of time become an expert in that area.

Next you need to understand your budget constraints. During hard economic times, collectors just like everyone else are prone to sell off their valued items in order to make some fast cash. But there are certain things you need to be aware of before you bid on just any old replica vintage manure spreaders.

Remember the condition of a toy is all important. Check for excessive wear and tear. Are any tiny parts or detailed moldings broken off or worn away? Is the model working the way it was designed to work? Has it been damaged and new or replacement parts added or been repaired? Is the paint chipped, or banged up?

If you are not sure if you are looking at the original or a clever reproduction don't be afraid to rely on the expert opinion of more experienced collector or a reputable dealer. If you don't know of any local experts contact the nearest vintage toy club in your area for help or get in touch with a museum that specializes in similar items.

Once you have determined the condition of a toy such as vintage manure spreaders and tractors, etc. you can buy with some measure of safety.

His dad was a shipping magnet and because of that, Marc and his family had to travel with him constantly.He gained a lot of knowledge through that. With his dad's influence he went into importing and exporting and this kept him on the road. He is settled in one place now and find it most fulfilling in writing articles. View more articles at http://www.manurespreaderreviews.com.

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

Friday, April 9, 2010

What Train Toy Collection is Right For You?

When you are ready to buy your grandchild or child a Train Toy, the decision must be made as to which is the correct set to purchase. And believe me there are a plethora of options available for buying Toy Train Sets, such as the Mark Toy Train, Toy Train Cars and the Lionel Toy Train. These delightful railroad sets come with a plastic, wood or solid metal chassis, molded-in tracks, or HO Gauge Tracks, which by the way is the most popular scale of Model Trains. Thus your choices are practically endless and infinitely interesting. Some even have battery packs that enable the engine to have a headlight and thus can also showcase illuminated cars as they roll along on the tracks.

Selections vary from Toy Wood Train Plans Sets that mirror reality in a perfectly precise manner to perhaps pre-molded-in plastic tracks and non-removable bridges thus preventing loss of vital pieces or derailed engines, because children are notorious for losing important pieces of their Train Toys Sets. Thus this will halt the endless searches for parts, which become rather tedious for the adult. Keep in mind when making your choices, that having to re-assemble tracks is even more tiresome.

Various Train Sets are large enough for two or more children to play with, while several of them may be limited to one child at a time. Small children under 45 pounds may delight in a child-sized Toy Train that rides either on the tracks provided, or even without the tracks. This amazing plaything even has realistic electronic sounds to accompany the engine as it travels about which will undoubtedly spark the exciting imagination of all children.

If you or your child is a collector you'll especially appreciate the various HO Gauge Sets available. Many of these come precisely detailed with illuminated cars, handcrafted chassis and even steel alloy wheels. Various sets are heirloom quality and come with their own certificates of authenticity.

Hobbyists who evidence an interest in Model Railroad Kits will be immensely pleased with the rich variety that can be done with some simple research on the Internet, as there is an enormous assortment of models, kits and other HO Scale supplies. These supplies can range from trees, bushes, working railway crossings, railroad stations, people, cars, and trucks to name just a few of the endless possibilities, which is why they call this a hobby right?

Some of the more extraordinary items are scenic mini highways for cars used in the model railway, and even animal circus cars filled with movable exotic animals. There are tiny little streetlights and even minuscule light bulbs made to scale. The paramount point to be made is to be as realistic as possible. Also the Train Toy collector will marvel as to what's also available from ordinary people who make these tiny items by hand at home and sell them online.

Interestingly enough one of the reasons why the HO Scale Train Toy is so popular is that its parts are not small enough for a child to accidentally swallow, thereby affording some peaceful solace to parents and grandparents who buy model railroads for children. Regardless of what you are seeking to complete your model railway, it's there on the Internet for you. All that's left is to wish you the best of luck and creativity!

Find out about the latest Toys Vehicles and Airplanes from Brian Garvin and Jeff West. Also discover more about the Train Toy collections. Feel free to liberally distribute this article but please leave author bio and links intact.

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

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Antique Toys Are a Great Collectors Item

One of the most attractive and interesting things that you can collect are antique toys. There are so many available at the minute that you could well be spoilt for choice. A great collection looks fabulous on display for visitors to admire.

All toy collectors have particular favorite, and regularly scour the online sites to add to their collection. It's also a good way to find out how valuable pieces that you already have are. If you have a few old Barbie dolls knocking around that are still in their original boxes, you have some valuable pieces in your collection. The humble Barbie is still the number one collectible toy, and looking after them and keeping them in their boxes will make their value soar.

A toy that has greatly increased in popularity in recent years is the jack in the box. When I was a child, these were extremely unpopular, so well done to the people who had the forethought of picking them up them for pennies.

You are a collector of baseball memorabilia, you will appreciate that these are not simply collectible toys; they represent the past history of our great game. Gloves, cards, bats etc are all still highly sought after.

Antique toys don't depreciate in value due to scuffs and evidence that they have been played with, quite the opposite in fact.

The thing to remember is, don't just throw old toys away. Check online to find out possible worth and value. If you are clearing out the home of an old, relative who has passed away, there may well be a small fortune stashed away in the form of antique toys.

Antique toys stir memories and are very nostalgic, and even if you think it is the ugliest thing you ever saw; somebody will love it.

Ken Mcormic is also into music and he found out about condenser mic you can find out more about the details at http://condensermic.net.

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

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Collectors who Collect Classic Toy Trains

It has been said that collecting classic toy trains in the world's greatest hobby. Many of today's collectors received their first toy train set when they were young, often as a Christmas or birthday present. Collectors claim that the toy train set gave them an opportunity to imagine a whole new world, one that revolved around a steaming locomotive. When they become adults, the collectors of classic toy trains claim that working on their model's layout is a way to relive stress and escape from the pressures of day to day life.
Toy train collectors are an interesting a varied group of individuals. Some of them spend the better part of life, looking for the perfect train set creating model after model, thrilling in seeing the miniature world take shape. This type of collector pours over catalogs, agonizes at toy train auctions, and continually shops at EBay stores that sell toy trains. Others never touch a model train set, they prefer to read books on the construction and collecting of toy trains, they might even attend the toy train shows and auctions This type of collector is happy to sit back and dream about someday building a toy train model. Some collectors spend hours fiddling with the scenery, touching up the paint and designing structures, this collector thinks of their classic toy train model as an art form. Another type of classic toy train collector is fascinated by the mechanical aspect of the toy train, they spend all their time working on the mechanics of their model that they never even bother to add scenery. The thing all these collectors shares is a genuine love of classic toy trains.
Very few collectors start out designing a large layout. The average size of the collectors classic toy train layout is 4X8 feet. This starter layout is typically an HO gauge. They add some scenery and a few buildings as they go, gradually expanding on the layout. Most classic toy train collectors will say that no layout, large or small, is ever complete.

The layout of toy trains and their railroad tracks consists of scenery and landscaping. The structures are commonly made out of plastic or bits of wood. The mountains are made out of painted pieces of plaster or foam, while the rivers are created by plastic resin.

Classic toy rain collectors who are also fans of gardening can combine their hobbies with a garden railroad. A garden railroad is a toy train that runs on a rail road that is routed through your garden. A railway garden is a garden that is planted with miniature plants and landscaped to accommodate a garden railroad. People who design a garden railroad enjoy facing the same types of challenges in landscape and topography that the railroad companies face when they build new rail lines. Most railway gardens are designed with roadbed. A roadbed is a material, most often a ballast created out of rock dust and crushed rocks, that supports the track and allows for drainage. Some people who lack the time, patience, or ability to garden have been able to enjoy a garden railroad by incorporating it directly into their landscaping. Fans of garden railroads say it is a great way for the entire family to bond. Some ambitious railway garden designers have created water features in their gardens that include ornamental fish and live plants.

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