2 comments about The Victorian Dollhouse Book.

1. This is in no way a do-it-yourself manual for the miniaturist. It is, however, an invaluable resource for anyone furnishing a Victorian dollhouse. Along with lots of historical data, there are pictures of complete rooms as well as individual items. The entire book is in full-color and the photography is outstanding. Each pictured item is captioned with its function

   If you are interested in the Victorian era, this book belongs in your mini-library.




2. This book is so so beautiful! Very helpful to anyone interested in decorating thier own dollhouse. The pictures are amazing!!
   me and my daughter spend hours looking through it!! If you can find this book, please buy it!!!!

No comments about Fisher-Price, 1931-1963: A Historical, Rarity, Value Guide (Fisher-Price: a Historical, Rarity & Value Guide, 2nd ed).

No comments about Lace for Dolls and Dolls' Houses: Over 45 Decorative Patterns in Bobbin & Needlelace.

4 comments about Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood.

1. This book brings back wonderful memories. As a child it was wonderful playing and experiencing these wonderful toys. As an adult it is wonderful to find out why and how these classic toys came to be. This book is sure to bring a smile to all who read it.



2. These guys have put together a tremendous walk down memory lane. If you want to know the secrets behind your favorite childhood toys (as well as be reminded about how much fun they were)...buy this book. Set it out on a coffee table at your next party, and you are guaranteed an evening of fun reminiscing.

   This book is more than fun reading...it is childhood joy recaptured.




3. From the infamous ant farm to Wooly Willy, this book covers all the hokey and cool toys you probably had if you grew up in the 60s, 70s or even later. The author does a nice job of providing an interesting synopsis of each toy, including its invention, popularity, and success (or lack thereof). There are dozens of obscure facts and stories behind the creation and evolution of these toys, and this book culls them all for us, making it a fun and enjoyable read.
   
   The great thing about this book is that the toys featured include those that most of us had as kids (or at least had a friend who had them): Magic 8 Ball, Slinky (my personal favorite), Mr. Potato Head, Tinkertoys....and the list goes on. This book is great for the kid who never grew up.



4. One way in which the thinking processes of successful inventors and entrepreneurs differs from the average person is that they often see a potential masker that others fail to see. Many demonstrations of this ability may be found when reading this delightful little book, Kid Stuff. David Hoffman has assembled the histories of the most familiar toys of our childhood. From the Ant Farm to the Whiffle Ball, he details how they were conceived, perfected, and promoted.
   
   Consider the Slinky. If Richard James, in 1945, had not been intrigued by how a spring he accidentally dropped "walked" across the floor, the story could have ended right there. But be did see a potential. He perfected it, named it, and packaged it. It then died on the vine at the local retail outlet. Again, the story could have ended right there. However, he realized this was a new item and that it had to be demonstrated. When he demonstrated it at Gimbels, he sold 400 in minutes. In the 50 years since, 250 million have been sold!
   
   Three basics in the Slinky story form a common thread that runs through many of these classic toy histories. First, someone sees a potential market; secondly, a dynamite trade name is created; thirdly, clever marketing is utilized.
   
   Often the opportunity is in plain sight and, in fact, may have been for some time. Hoffman points out that it is said that the Yo-Yo is actually the second-oldest known toy (after dolls). Yet it remained for Donald Duncan, in 1927, to see the possibilities. Further confirmation that some people do look at the world differently may be had by noting that Duncan also invented the parking meter and introduced the Good Humor "ice cream on a stick."
   
   An example of a mental process utilizing analogical thinking may be seen in the history of the Erector Set. Back in 1911, A. C. Gilbert observed girders being assembled for an electric system along the railroad line he frequently traveled. Realizing kids love to assemble things (wood blocks, etc.), he put together a toy kit consisting of girders, gears, pulleys, etc.
   
   This power of observing the obvious and seeing the not so obvious is again shown in the history of Mr. Potato Head. George Lerner noticed how children love to play with their food. Who has not? He utilized the observation to create Mr. Potato Head. Incidentally, "Mr. Potato Head was the first toy to ever be advertised on television." The story recites how the toy has been adapted to the times. His pipe was eliminated and the last pipe given to the Surgeon General at the Great American Smokeout. Responding to safety regulation they increased the size of its pasts and made them less sharp. As Hoffman notes, the current Mr. Potato Head may surprise nostalgic parents, but he is still loved by the kids.
   
   Another example of how a toy was adapted to the times is Antonio Pasin's original wagon, "Liberty Coaster," of 1923. It was made of wood and it was followed by the classic little red wagon, "Radio Flyer," made of steel. It was called "Flyer" to emphasize motion and "Radio" to honor the Italian inventor of radio.
   
   If for no other reason, read this book to satisfy your curiosity as to how the classic toys came to be. How Paul Guillow created the balsa wood airplane industry. How a toy store owner and a marketing consultant created Silly Putty---it floundered until a mention in the New Yorker magazine resulted in orders for a quarter-million and it's sales has since reached the 200-million mark!
   
   This book is jammed packed with toy trivia. Largest-selling football in the world? Nerf football. Barbie Doll's last name? Roberts.
   
   Viktor Budnik's photographs for this book are terrific. They make this little book look good enough for your coffee table. But best of all, even your kids will enjoy this book and, perhaps, pick up on the idea that behind each toy there was a real person who took an idea from the dream world and brought it into the real world.

4 comments about Toy Bop: Kid Classics of the 50's & 60's.

1. Tom Frey has put together the greatest book on toys I have ever seen. The book is not a price guide. Its a wonderful trip back in time. Back to the days when us kids had imagination. The pictures are outstanding. I have spoken with Tom and find him to be a very good source of information and you can tell from talking to him that he really loves his toys. If you were a child in the 50s to 60s and want a real trip down memory lane, then this is the book for you.



2. TOY BOP! This could be THE bible for toy enthusiasts and creators...each page gives reason to why millions flock to fleas and why I personally have chosen my profession. Toy Bop is a what's what map to the never forgotten gold in yer the great mind shaft of memory. And in Toy Bop, the gold never glimmered brighter. From the quirky haphazard classic toys spawned by Marvin Glass to adorable machine guns and one color Marx's, Toy Bop displays its wears like GE at a Worlds Fair long ago. Pick it up, waste away a few hours, and tell Odd-Ogg and King Zor that I sent you.-- Daniel Seifert ---Toy Designer Guy Oddzon/koosh/hasbro



3. This is a great addition to any toy lovers library! There are quite a few toys shown here that I have not seen in previous books, and believe me I have a few. I thrilled at nice clean pictures of Video Village, the Talking Casper doll, Major Matt Mason, Johnny and Jane West. Lots of Marx Toys, reminiscent of Pennsylvania and my youth.
   A time machine for anyone at or approaching 50!



4. Tom Frey is an authority on Toys from the boomer era.I bought his "Remco Movieland Drive-in from him in 1991 from Toy Shop magazine.His photography and commentary is priceless!If you grew up in the late fifties,early sixties and bugged your Mom and Dad for a "Great Garloo" or a "Remco Drive-in"(like I did),then definitely BUY this book!!You'll LOVE IT!!

No comments about Enchanting Friends: Collectible Poohs, Raggedies, Golliwoggs, and Roosevelt Bears With Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

2 comments about The Collector's Guide to Transport Toys: An International Survey of Tinplate and Diecast Commercial Vehicles from 1900 to the Present Day.

1. If you love tin toy and diecast toys then you will love this book.Most double pages feature toys catering for such things as buses,trucks,emergency vehicles and so much more.You will love looking back through the past of toys you probably had and I bet you say:"I had that one!".
   The photos are clear,in color and the text to describe each one is exceptional.
   This book is a must.



2. This is a magnificent album of gorgeous double page color spreads. Everything from pedal cars, die cast, tinplate, and other materials.
   A useful feature is the inclusion of the same figure in each spread so that one can immediately see the comparative sizes from one to another. This is especially useful in the case of the early Matchbox which were not made to any consistent scale. Instead they wer made to fit the box!
   Thus the overall dimensions in inches are given instead.
   More modern diecast is often made in 1:50 scale (metric O guage) and 1:43 scale is close enough to look well on an O guage model train layout.
   Not a reference but a dream book: Especially the hard-used timplate Buddy L and pedal cars which were not made as collector's items.
   I well remember the Doepke line of construction equipment made in the late forties. Twelve fifty then, now extremely collectable and expensive.

No comments about Collectible Toys and Games of the Twenties and Thirties: from Sears, Roebuck and Co..

1 comments about The Raggedy Ann & Andy Family Album: A Guide for Collectors.

1. I just got this book and it's great! It's loaded with adorable full-color photos and packed with loads of information about Raggedy Ann & Andy! Great for collectors! The reader is aware of the author's love for Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy through the fun-loving tone and the overall appreciation for the dolls.

No comments about Beloved Kathe Kruse Dolls.