New show coming on the History Channel... Starts November 28th.. Nor sure of the time though.... Probably in the evening... Check it out when the time comes... Might be interesting....
After WW2 when we first occupied Japan, all Japanese manufacturing was halted and those companies were given a list of "allowable" products (upon our approval) that they could make to re-stimulate their economy. Toys were on that list. During the early "occupation", food and raw materials were in great shortages, and Japanese kids would sneak into U.S. military bases to rummage through the dump for food...they soon learned that the empty cans themselves could be sold to companies making small metal parts. Sadly, rumor has it that a large number of these kids (who were just trying to survive) were accidently shot and killed...mistaken for anti-U.S, saboteurs trying to sneak into the base in the dark of the night. Kind of adds a morbid element to those cheap "Made in Japan" toys.
The toys I that did it for me in the mid 60s. Matchbox, Lionel trains and assorted BB and cap guns. Edit: forgot rubber band powered balsa wood airplanes and an Etch A Sketch.
Being I was a war baby/born 1942,,I got Building-Blocks,Lincoln-Logs,Tinker-Toys, Erector Sets. an best of all Toy Trains,Boats an Planes.
Yup Tinker Toys and Erector Sets. 2 of the best toys when I was a kid. And chemistry sets by Gilbert. Especially when they had potassium nitrate! Still got all my fingers!
I was a war baby born in 42 and we had Lincoln Logs and wooden toys. I still have my. MY Wooden Hobby Horse
I used to ride my bike to Joe's hobby center on Wyoming just north of Warren Ave. to buy a model car kit or an Aurora A/FX slot car.... That was in the early '70s.... Such a long time ago...
I did the same thing in the late 60s. The Allen movie theater had a “Juvenile Sales” toy store next to it. Watch a Saturday matinee Disney movie then run over to see the latest Aurora and Tyco cars.
We lived near Cook County Jail on the near southwest side of Chicago. In 1957 my mother would give me a quarter on Sunday and I'd jet over to this pharmacy that was also a catch-all for other things. I'd use that quarter to buy two miniature Revolutionary War soldiers. I built up a pretty good collection. I also remember getting a red plastic Stanley Steamer that my mom paid ten cents for just because she was feeling good. Living in a third floor walk-up we didn't have a whole lot of space so I didn't have a whole lot of toys, but I did have a talking (walking?) Robbie the Robot.
I forgot slot cars Deuces. Definitely slot cars, still play with those. That was a winter only thing for me mostly tho. Summer I was outside absolutely always. The thing I messed with most was a net, catching turtles in the bay. God knows how much time I spent chasing turtles and frogs. I live on the same bay I grew up next to, I can see moms house from my back porch. And now my kid spends all his time doing the same thing, lol.
Hey @hotrodjack33 . That is a very cool AMC wagon that you have collected. At the recent Goodguy's car show this summer, one of those very cool Rambler wagons showed up, that was done up in the style of a TV and Radio service vehicle. I thought you would appreciate these shots of it, that I took at the show !
Hey @hotrodjack33 . This morning, looking through some of the stuff I had stashed but forgot about, is this tin wind up race car, still in the box never taken out or wound up. I am sure its a repop, I bought it at the Portland swap meet about 10 years ago, I think I paid $20.00 for it, but with " CRS " ( cant remember shit ), the past is often a blur at best ! Its not as cool as the Japanese toys you have, but it is cool ! Enjoy !
Even though I collect vintage tin, I too have about a 1/2 dozen Schyling toys in my collection...some of them are just too cool to pass up.
Erector sets, Daisy BB guns, Tonka toys. And, as somebody said, Gilbert chemistry set. Then, a little older, model cars.
The Jalopy Journal
