Archive for the ‘Antique’ Category

Japanese Robots Overtake Sci-Fi Museum

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Robo-Spider
Robot photo by Richard Nichol courtesy of Wired.com

So here’s a little tidbit I thought all of you toy lovers would appreciate – the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle will exhibit Japanese toy robots from the collection of graphic designer, Tom Geismar (of Charmayeff & Geismar). The show is called Robots: A Designer’s Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels and it runs through Oct. 26.

If you’re in the area, you should check it out… and if you get any good pics, send ‘em my way ;)

(Thanks for the link Mike!) 

Bite of the Green Monkey

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

He’s mean. He’s green. He’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.

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Weird, dingy green monkey toy

I found this nasty, old, green monkey recently, and I was immediately disturbed.

I hate to admit it, but the first thing that came to mind is that classic story where the AIDS virus was started by a bite from the infamous African “green monkey” (and some tellings of the story actually involve sex with the green monkey). It’s goofy I know, but if I ever had to pick a green AIDS monkey out of a police line up, this would be it.

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Weird, dingy green monkey toy

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Weird, dingy green monkey toy

And just how desperate are you as a scientist to get close to this thing (let alone sexually active)? There have got to be plenty of reasons to stay away from a green monkey:

1. He’s a monkey.

2. He’s green.

3. He’s pissed (probably because a scientist just made a pass at him).

4. He’s covered in blood (maybe the aftermath of the infamous bite?).

5. He’s got chunks of flesh missing, and it looks like his skull is coming through his face (maybe we’ve got it all wrong. It could be a zombie monkey… and he was actually approached by a witch doctor).

There are no markings on this nappy monkey toy, but there is a small sticker on its foot which reads, “Hand Painted – Artmark – Hong Kong.”

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Weird, dingy green monkey toy

Hand-painted? Are you kidding? So, arbitrary red splotches and white highlights on his face called for hand-painting? Well, at least it gave jobs to out-of-work artists (but most likely it’s the handywork of small asian children).

The monkey is just a hollow, plastic sculpt covered with flocking… giving him that fuzzy, nappy feel. It has a broken loop or hook or something on its head, which makes me think it is a window-hanger or something.

I sure as hell hope this thing isn’t a Christmas tree ornament.

Time to Wind Down

Thursday, November 15th, 2007

Here’s a look at even more little toys I picked up at the Allentown Antique Toy Show. They’re old wind-up toys.

This first guy is just a goofy-looking sheriff with rifle-in-hand and an arrow through his head. I love the expression on his face. It’s the “Crap! Did that just go through my head?” look. He has no markings other than “Made in Japan,” so who knows where he comes from? He’s cute (even with his badly painted ammo belt and rifle that looks like a tommy gun).

Also, I think he’s a boozing sheriff. Just look at that red nose :o

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Antique Sheriff Wind-up toy

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Antique Sheriff Wind-up toy

The next two are marked “©1967 Frankonia” (I haven’t found any reliable info about this company, but I have gathered that they produced various tin and wind-up toys). The keys and walking mechanisms still work for these two, but they are a bit slow. I’m guessing they’re from a series of Nursery Rhyme wind-up toys.

I picked them up, because they’re just really funny looking. I love the genuine expressions of sadness and concern on their faces. They’re not your typical children’s toys emotional states, that’s for sure.

This guy looks like he could be Little Boy Blue.

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Little Boy Blue Wind-up ©1967 Frankonia

Look at the truly sad expression on his face! Poor kid! They must’ve just woken him up (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out the original nursery rhyme for clues).

Little boy blue, come blow your horn
The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn
Where is that boy who looks after the sheep?
Under the haystack fast asleep
Will you wake him? Oh no, not I
For if I do he will surely cry

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Little Boy Blue Wind-up ©1967 Frankonia

The other is Humpty Dumpty (Wow! The second Humpty Dumpty toy on the blog!). I’m sure you all know his story. Looks like this is the “pre-fall” Humpty. He may even be on his way to a formal. Top Hat? Cane? Cumberbund? C’mon!

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Humpty Dumpty Wind-up ©1967 Frankonia

He’s worried he can’t make it over that wall.

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Humpty Dumpty Wind-up ©1967 Frankonia

If anyone has any info on Frankonia or any of these wind ups, feel free to share. Thanks!

Allentown Antique Toy Show

Sunday, November 4th, 2007

Last weekend I flew up to Allentown, PA for my first big toy show. It was the Allentown Antique Toy Show at the Allentown Fair.

Here are my impressions:

1. I was the only guy under 50 in that place.
Seriously. I felt like I was surrounded by my grandparents. It wasn’t a big deal, but unfortunately, this meant the collections and the items for sale weren’t really directed toward my generation or my budget… and it smelled kind of weird.

2. I couldn’t afford a damned thing.
Yeah, i know i should expect some price mark-up for old toys, but most of the pieces that caught my eye ended up being between $175-$400. I’m way out of my league here. I’ve been spoiled by finding great stuff at flea markets :D

3. I felt like I was walking through a toy museum.
The place was huge and filled with history. From original Disney toys to Sambo dolls to old Transformers. It was unbelievable how diverse these items were. These toys were from all over the world and most of it was in tip-top shape.

4. It was freakin’ great!
I did manage to walk away with a handful of good finds, and I’ll post them all soon. All-in-all, I had a good time. Just like any toy show, you can never predict what will be there. You just have to hope for the best.

Here are some random pics from the show. Most of the vendors didn’t like my taking photos of their stuff, but I did manage to get a few toy shots (eat your hearts out Chris and Duane ;) )

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

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Allentown Antique Toy Show

A Mickey by any other name…

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

So, a Disney toy is making an appearance on the Weirdo Toys blog.

weird antique mickey mouse toy

Well, not exactly.

I recently discovered this primitive “Micky Mouse” in an article over at Boing-Boing, that discusses the controversial origins of that punk “Mickey Mouse” and his toys.

Allegedly, Performo-Toy Company were selling Micky Mouse toys before the Disney character ever existed. There are even implications that Walt himself stole the character and name, but once Disney became the powerhouse with the animated Mickey, they annihilated any possibility for Performo to hold claim to its being the original (Plus, Disney’s Mickey has an “e”… so c’mon. That’s totally different.). Performo were even given a court order to destroy all original Micky inventory and collateral that made any references to him.

Don’t worry Weirdo Micky. You have a home here.

P.S.
As practiced by most bloggers, I have not checked any facts. Pretty lazy, eh? Hey, this site is for entertainment only
;)