Collecting Classic Girls' Toys


Book Description

This is the first study of its kind, focusing on toys made for girls, including the spin-off accessories and comics. Renowned toy expert Susan Brewer explores the world of toys, divided into sections to encompass dolls, cuddly toys and ‘families (e.g. Sylvanian Forest and Fisher Price’s Little People), amongst others. She includes brief biographies of some of the best known firms, such as Mattel, Pedigree and Fisher Price but the main focus is on the toys themselves, many of which readers will remember from their own childhood. Includes fascinating factboxes with quirky facts – did you know. Angela Rippon created the best-selling Victoria Plum toys based on a plum tree in her back garden - she has written the foreword for this book.




Classic Toys of the National Toy Hall of Fame


Book Description

From the yo-yo to the hula hoop to the Frisbee®, Slinky®, Barbie®, and so many more, the classic toys honored in the National Toy Hall of Fame bridge all generations with the most basic of joyous endeavors: play! Regardless of one's age, this book will hold a special place in everyone's heart, as the toys inside not only bring back happy memories for the older generations, but they are still being enjoyed today. This deluxe package is a vibrant celebration of America's favorite playthings, brimming with exciting color photography and delightful text that capture the essence and evolution of our country's most beloved toys.




Girls' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties


Book Description

If you're like most of us, the mailman's annual delivery of Sears, Roebuck and Company's Christmas Catalog was a holiday event in years past. American children watched the mailbox carefully for those wondrous old catalogs. They were full of childhood fantasies... enough toys, dolls, trains and bikes to make any kid start writing his or her letter to Santa Claus. That's probably why the nickname "Wishbook" stuck. And if you grew up during the Baby Boomer years of the Fifties and Sixties, there's big news. Those lost Wishbook pages full of wonderful toys targeted to girls have been reproduced in Girls' Toys, a new book containing authorized reproductions of the best girl-toy pages from 1950 through 1969. Girls' Toys and its companion book Boys' Toys are two in a series of Sears catalog re-issues. This 8 1/2 x 11" softcover book's 192 pages illustrate hundreds of now-collectible toys and dolls: Barbi and Ken, Shirley Temple, Lucy and Desi's Little Ricky, Betsy Wetsy and Troy Tears dolls, dollhouses and accessories, kid-sized kitchens, tea sets, dress-up outfits, bicycles, games and movie-TV-themed toys from Mary Poppins to the Flintstones. Included is a commentary on the toys, their manufacturers and historical relevance. Particular attention is paid to the manner in which young girls' toys were marketed, often perceived as negative messages in these enlightened times. Put on your Dale Evans Cowgirl Hat and settle in for hours of fond childhood memories. Girls' Toys is fun reading for anybody... male or female... toy fan or not. It's an invaluable reference source for serious collectors and history buffs, too. -- Jam-packed with warm and happy childhood memories. Hundreds ofphotographs and illustrations with accompanying commentary -- A "must have" reference volume for all toy, antique and memorabilia enthusiasts




Classic Toys of the 1960s and 1970s


Book Description

By the early 1960s such famous toy brands as Airfix, Dinky, Corgi, FROG, Matchbox, Tri-ang, Meccano, Hornby and Scalextric had secured a firm hold on the imagination of children and hobbyists throughout the world. With over 400 colour photographs taken by the author, this is a reference work for the collector.




The History of Toy Soldiers


Book Description

“Amazing . . . A must-have must-read bible for lovers of toy history and in particular toy soldiers. Absolutely glorious!” —Books Monthly Humans have made and collected toy soldiers from time immemorial. They amuse and comfort us, awaken our curiosity, turn aggressiveness into creativity. In The History of Toy Soldiers, Luigi Toiati, himself an avid collector and manufacturer of toy soldiers, conveys and shares the pleasure of collecting and playing with them. Far from a dry encyclopedia, it leads the reader through the fascinating evolution of the toy soldier from ancient times to the early twenty-first century. The author, as a sociologist with an interest in semiotics (the study of signs), offers truly original insights into why different types of toy soldiers were born in a given period and country, or why in a given size and material. The author’s writing is packed with factual detail about the different types of toy (and model) soldiers and their manufacturers, but also with anecdotes, nostalgia, wit and his enduring passion for the subject. Six hundred beautiful color photographs, many depicting the author’s own collection, complete this delightful book. “Toiati creatively delivers exhaustive details, captivating anecdotes and a sense of nostalgia that exudes the fundamental childhood joy of playing with toy soldiers combined with adult collectors’ wonderment at their charms.” —Toy Soldier & Model Figure “A book that will enter the annals of Toy Soldier collections as one of the best and most complete books on this topic.” —IPMS/USA “A great journey of exploration.” —Miniature Wargaming




Timeless Toys


Book Description

The book Why Didn't I Think of That! includes the passage "If a toy has magic, when people see it they say, 'Oooh! What is that?' . . . It appeals to the kid in everybody." That same kind of magic captures "the kid in everybody" when they pick up Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them. Timeless Toys represents one of the finest documentaries and displays of modern toys ever written. Author Tim Walsh, a successful toy inventor himself, reveals a world of commerce, toys, and wonder that is equally fun, fascinating, and nostalgic. Readers of every age and background will find it impossible to pick up this book, turn a few pages, and not become spellbound by its insightful stories and the personal memories that the text and 420 brilliantly colored photographs bring forth. Slinky, Lego, Tonka trucks, Monopoly, Big Wheel, Frisbee, Hula Hoop, Super Ball, Scrabble, Barbie, Radio Flyer Wagons: All of these and many, many more are featured in this fascinating tome, along with the toys' histories, insider profiles, and rare interviews with toy industry icons. It's simply magic!




C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)


Book Description

The 'C. N. WILLIAMSON & A. N. WILLIAMSON Ultimate Collection: 30+ Mystery Classics & Adventure Novels in One Volume (Illustrated)' brings together an expansive range of narrative styles and themes, underscoring the versatility and depth of the Williamsons as authors. This anthology encapsulates the golden age of early 20th-century literature, combining mystery, adventure, and romance across its pages. Noteworthy for its scope, the collection presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intricate weavings of suspense and valor, with stories that remain as captivating today as they were upon their original publication. The selection showcases the authors' ability to blend societal observations with thrilling plots, making each piece a standout contribution to the genre. The backgrounds of Charles Norris Williamson and Alice Muriel Williamson, as husband and wife co-authors, offer a unique lens through which the narratives are presented, blending their individual perspectives into a seamless narrative voice that was ahead of its time. Their joint work aligns with the literary movements of their day, reflecting a keen insight into the rapid societal changes and technological advancements of the early 20th century. Their stories are not only adventures but also commentaries on the zeitgeist of their era, capturing the imaginations and concerns of their contemporary audience while remaining relevant to todays readers. This anthology is recommended for enthusiasts of classic literature, particularly those interested in mysteries and adventures that delve into human nature, societal shifts, and the complexities of the human spirit. Here lies an opportunity to traverse through disparate landscapes and times, guided by the imaginative prowess of the Williamsons. It promises education, entertainment, and a rich tapestry of human experience, making it an essential addition to the library of any avid reader seeking to broaden their literary horizons.




The Big Fat Turkey Collection: Classic Thanksgiving Stories for Kids


Book Description

This wonderful collection of hand-picked Thanksgiving classics will make you fall in love with our sweet little stories and will become a part of your Thanksgiving story-telling traditions: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving (Louisa May Alcott) The First Thanksgiving (Albert F. Blaisdell, Francis K. Ball) Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner (Lucy Maud Montgomery) The Genesis of the Doughnut Club (Lucy Maud Montgomery) An English Dinner of Thanksgiving (George Eliot) Ezra's Thanksgivin' Out West (Eugene Field) John Inglefield's Thanksgiving (Nathaniel Hawthorne) Helen's Thanksgiving (Susan Coolidge) Thanksgiving at the Polls (Edward Everett Hale) Millionaire Mike's Thanksgiving (Eleanor H. Porter) The Thanksgiving of the Wazir (Andrew Lang) The Master of the Harvest (Mrs. Alfred Gatty) How We Kept Thanksgiving at Oldtown (Harriet Beecher Stowe) The Queer Little Baker Man (Phila Butler Bowman) A Turkey for the Stuffing (Katherine Grace Hulbert) Mrs. November's Party (Agnes Carr) The Debut of Dan'l Webster (Isabel Gordon Curtis) The Kingdom of the Greedy (P. J. Stahl) Thankful (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman) Beetle Ring's Thanksgiving Mascot (Sheldon C. Stoddard) Mistress Esteem Elliott's Molasses Cake (Kate Upson Clark) Thanksgiving at Todd's Asylum (Winthrop Packard) Wishbone Valley (R. K. Munkittrick) Patem's Salmagundi (E. S. Brooks) Miss November's Dinner Party (Agnes Carr) The Story of Ruth and Naomi (Bible) Bert's Thanksgiving (J. T. Trowbridge) How Obadiah Brought About a Thanksgiving (Emily Hewitt Leland) The White Turkey's Wing (Sophie Swett) The Thanksgiving Goose (Fannie Wilder Brown) A Novel Postman (Alice Wheildon) Chip's Thanksgiving (Annie Hamilton Donnell) A Thanksgiving Dinner (Edna Payson Brett) Two Old Boys (Pauline Shackleford Colyar) Mon-daw-min (H. R. Schoolcraft) A Mystery in the Kitchen (Olive Thorne Miller) Who Ate the Dolly's Dinner? (Isabel Gordon Curtis) An Old-fashioned Thanksgiving (Rose Terry Cooke) The Night before Thanksgiving (Sarah Jewett)...




Doll Collecting with Tina


Book Description

Increase the value of your dolls many times over by following the essential strategies presented in a decade-by-decade guide by the host of the popular Home Shopping Network show. More than 100 color photos present examples of the most collectible dolls that have appeared and disappeared from the market during the century, from the first affordable toy dolls in the 1860s to the 1960s appearance of mass-produced vinyl models. Armed with detailed information about doll history, materials, manufacturing methods, and popular styles, you can decide what dolls to buy and how much to resell them for. You’ll also get insider tips about the future—which fads and fashions will produce the most in-demand styles a few years from now.




British Dolls of the 1950s


Book Description

Photos, descriptions, and fascinating history for dedicated doll collectors. In the 1950s, a new material—plastic—revolutionized the doll trade and made dolls affordable for people of all classes. This book focuses specifically on British dolls of that decade, offering not only useful information for collectors but a glimpse into the history and culture that surrounded these cherished toys. Along with photos and descriptions, this unique guide covers: doll manufacturers must-buy dolls what to spot when buying dolls how to avoid buying fakes a where-to-buy directory doll hospitals specialist museums