Friday, September 30, 2011

1977 Centisible Catalog

Socker Boppers


Centsible is best known for their inflatable line of boxing gloves called "Socker Boppers" which sold for decades. The thing I remember most about these was getting the seam in the face, which hurt a whole lot when your sibling  opponent is five years older than you (what was my dad thinking?).
The company had a whole line of fun toys and definitely had a penchant for velcro. Take a peek at the 1975 Centsible catalog, sorry about some of the scans, this one had a bit of water damage.

Click Here to visit the 1977 Centsible Catalog


More Fun play

Thursday, September 29, 2011

When Big Jim was new



This early ad for Big Jim immediately whisks me back to the my earliest memories of "Action Figures". I took a few breaks but the damn things have been a part of my life since then, probably better off because of it...

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Lime and Pepto



An unstoppable pair of ladiesmen, an unforgettable colour combination. It's sexual TNT!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Dough Boy Love


I gotta give a shout out to my Poppin' Fresh doll, a childhood toy I still have and love for no good reason other than I equate him with deliciousness..

Monday, September 26, 2011

Friday, September 23, 2011

Here come the Microbots



No that's not a misspelling, six years before Mego launched Micronauts, Kenner had tried their luck with the Microbots, a series of futuristic robots who could build their own environments. They even had their own (one shot) comic book by Gold Key!
Sadly, the line didn't take off and was quickly forgotten, the toys themselves are very hard to find these days but there is eveidence that some made it onto store shelves..



More Robots

Ideal Star Team toys

Zee toys metal men

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Farbs: Fantastic Car Kooks


Man, I remember these but would have never remembered what they were called. Hopefully, this brings back some happy memories for folks.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

More defense for the jumpsuit lobby

Again, I would like to apologize to jumpsuits for ever doubting you and um....grrrrrrowwwl!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Primitive Lego


I still have some of my old Lego sets, my kids look at the faceless people and the less than sophisticated bricks as odd but then, I immediately  lose them for an hour playing with it.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Colouring Book Theatre: Doctor Who Press Out Book

Doctor Who Press Out Book" by World
It's been entirely too long since I did a colouring book theatre, this is mostly due to laziness as I've actually got some material kicking around. This fine book was gifted to me by Ray Miller, who runs the cool Micronauts fan group Micropolis Embassy.

The punch outs are long gone, part of Ray's happy childhood but the colouring pages remain.

I must attest to  being somewhat fascinated with Tom Baker/Doctor Who merchandise, a lot of it is really kind of gloomy and unkidlike. The BBC has a weird reputation about licensing and it shows.

The cover is really nicely illustrated although it's a bit dark looking for something being marketed to children, note the Lizard:

More after the jump.


Friday, September 16, 2011

1978 Milton Bradley Electronics Catalog


In 1978, Milton Bradley who had already been known for board games for well over 100 years,  brought the world some inventive and memorable electronic offerings in the form of Simon and Star Bird.

While primitive by today's standards in the late 70s, these were high tech and hours of fun.


Thursday, September 15, 2011

I just love my job!



Frank's over enthusiasm for the arrival of the Monday morning train eventually grated on his fellow commuters. He was beaten with brief cases one particularly gloomy February morning...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Dial "P" for pants



I'm not sure where you put the coin or exactly what you speak into but that buckle is ready to take international calls.

PS Ain't nothing sexier than a woman in a CN rail cap!

Monday, September 12, 2011

She's Alive!


Walking Barbie is a new one to me, although it makes perfect sense. I wonder if we'll see this return?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Evel's Crash Car Today

450

Recently I got an email from a fellow by the name of Jerry asking about Evel Knievel's famous Crash car. I get a lot of emails (I don't have any Stretch Armstrong's for sale, sorry) and just assumed he was another interested toy collector. Which was a total mistake because while Jerry likes toys he's into the real deal!   More after the jump (which is over 14 school buses):



Friday, September 09, 2011

1980 Knickbocker Superheroes Catalog


Knickerbocker was always known for plush novelties but in the late 70s, they decided to enlist some heavy hitters, in the form of the hottest TV and movie superstars like the Incredible Hulk and Mr. Spock.


Knickerbocker chose some of the more popular TV and movie characters to captilize on for some interesting plush toys and construction sets.



More Superheroes and Star Trek

Marvel Superheroes Live! Our Way Studios




Thursday, September 08, 2011

Now Showing at Home


One of my earliest memories is watching a film strip of "Charlie Chan and the Chan Clan" on my neighbour's basement wall, it's a pretty happy one. I'm surprised I haven't got a large collection of "Give A Show" type projectors as a result..

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Gramma loves you


I've seen these Gramma and Granpa dolls in many catalogs, so somebody must have bought them. I just don't understand the appeal, not that I have anything aganst grandpeople, far from it but it just seems kind of weird to have a cradle for elderly people.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Kidco Silver Warriors/Space Defenders Catalog



Kidco silver warriors

Kidco (a pretty logical name for a toy company) made some pretty unassuming toys during the 1970s, the most interesting items they produced in 1979 are not one but two different lines of Shogun Warrior inspired toys.

Sliver Warriors and Space Defenders are the things you find at toy shows or in lots and have no idea as to what they are. Hopefully this catalog solves some childhood and/or toy collector mysteries



Kidco silver warriors




Kidco silver warriors




More Spacey Goodness


Thursday, September 01, 2011

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