Table of Contents

Welcome to Rec.Toys.Vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Vintage Toys

Rec.toys.vintage is intended to provide a medium for
sharing ideas and feelings about the collecting of 
vintage toys. For purposes of this newsgroup, a 
"vintage" toy is defined as a toy or game about 20 
years or older which is valued as memorabilia or for 
historical value rather than for its "play value." This 
is an unmoderated newsgroup. 

Discussions encouraged in this group include;

 - Toy restoration
 - Toy display
 - Rarity and value of particular toys
 - Original contents and parts of toys and games
 - Wanted to buy posts
 - For sale posts
 - Wanted to Swap posts
 - Toy company histories
 - Changing marketplace values of particular toys
 - Determining factors on value fluctuations
 - Vintage toy show dates, locations and reviews
 
Topics NOT appropriate for this group include 
discussion of toys currently manufactured or 
available at stores such as Toys R Us, toys NOT
old enough to fit in the category of "about 20 years
or older", or any other unrelated topic.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1.1: Where can I discuss Newer Toys?
A1.1: The newsgroup rec.toys.misc carries excellent
      discussions surrounding newer toys, 
      action figures, and misc. toy discussions, and 
      invites all to participate. Other relevant news 
      groups include:

     alt.food.pez                   
     rec.toys.lego                    
     rec.toys.cars                    
     alt.toys.gi-joe                   
     alt.toys.transformers          
     rec.arts.sf.starwars.collecting
     rec.collecting
     rec.collecting.dolls
     rec.antiques
     rec.toys.action-figures
     rec.crafts.dollhouses

Q1.2: How can I find the value of an old toy I have?
A1.2: See the seperate listing of sources, or ask
      on the group ! If you do ask here, It would be a
      good idea to include whether or not you want to 
      sell the toy or keep it and only want it's value.

Q1.3: Where can I find other web pages etc. about toys? 
A1.3: There is an excellent page which lists all toy
      sources (if you find one not there, let us know).
      Thanks to Eric Myers;
    
http://www.toymania.com/



RESOURCES 

For purposes of this newsgroup, a "vintage" toy is 
defined as a toy or game about 20 years or older 
which is valued as memorabilia or for historical 
value rather than for its "play value." 

Q2.1: How can I find the value of an old toy I have?
A2.1  Price guides - but remember, they are only 
      guides, and the condition of a toy is all important.
      If a guide lists $100.00 for a mint condition toy,
      and your's is missing pieces, it may only be worth
      10% of that mint price. However, if your's is
      exceptional and in the box and in demand, it 
      may be worth 10 times the mint amount.

List of Price Guides;

    Toy Shop publishes one every year from their
    address above for about $19.95 
    Toy Shop's toll free # is 1-800-258-0929

    OBrien's Collecting Toys has also been published
    for many years. It is ISBN 0-89689-114-3 
    $22.95 and can be ordered.

(Tom's Note - I think that one copy of each of the 
above price guides will get you through many of
your toy pricing searches. What one lacks, the
other usually makes up for.)

"Cap Guns with Values" by James L. Dundas -  Schiffer 
Publishing, 610-593-1777, $29.95 + $2.95 S&H, check, 
m.o. or V/MC.

Q2.2: Where can I find more information about collecting old toys?
A2.2: There are several publications available for those
      interested in more information about collecting older
      toys. Here is the list we have so far;

Toy Shop Magazine (newspaper format)
Toy Shop
ABAH76
700 E. State St. 
Iola, WI  54990-0001

(Tom's Note - Toy Shop is just about THE marketplace
publication. It covers new and old toys, has lots of ads
and auctions, and has just started carrying a few articles.
There are not a lot of real old toys there, but tons of toys
from the 50's to the present)

Collecting Toys (magazine)
published bi-monthly by
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI  53187-1612
1-800-533-6644
One year (6 issues) = $20.00

(Tom's Note - This is a nice color magazine
and probably the 2nd most popular publication,
after Toy Shop. There are many pictures and
articles, concerned mostly with toys from the 
50's on, and lots of information about new toys
just out and due out soon.)

Antique Toy World Magazine
PO Box 34509
Chicago Illinois 60634
(312) 725-0633
$39.95 per year

(Tom's Note - This is a real nice magazine I'm 
pretty sure is subscription only. It features toys
prior to the 50's and still banks. The covers are
sometimes worth the price of the magazine (which
is not that cheap).

Tomarts Action Figure Digest
Tomart Publications
3300 Encrete Lane,
Dayton, OH 45439-1944
One year (8 issues) = $38.00
513-294-2250
e-mail:[email protected]

Toy Trader Magazine (newspaper)
100 Bryant St.
Dubuque, Iowa 52003
1-800-334-7165
1 yr 12 issues $15.75
http://www.csmonline.com.

(Tom's Note - This is smaller that Toy Shop,
but has more articles about older (50's - now)
toys, and a reader's column. It's a good source
for "State of the Toy Collecting World Today".)

Toy Collector and Price Guide
Krause Publications
700 E. State St.
Iola, Wi. 54945
Published bi-monthly @ 16.95 per year

Plastic Figure & Playset Collector magazine:
Published by: Specialty Publishing Company
PO Box 1355
La Crosse Wisconsin 54602-1355
(608) 781-1894
6 issues per year  $21 US Bulk Rate;  $29 US First Class
Approx. 40 pages per issue. Typeset. B&W photos.
Covers vintage plastic figures and playsets from Marx, Superior, T.Cohn,
Remco, Ideal and many others. Several articles per issue highlight
particular sets or items or contain general information on manufacturers,
grading, collection, etc. Also included are: show reports, new releases,
anecdotes, parts lists and reproduction instruction sheets, personal 
and commercial ads to buy, sell or trade.

MINIATURE AIRCRAFT QUARTERLY is a full color magazine all about Aviation
toys and models - {non-flying}. This includes travel agency models {metal
and fibergalss}, identifcation models, 1:200 scale collector pieces, toys such
as die cast {Dinky, Tootsietoy, Solido, Mercury, Aero Mini, tin plate, cast
iron, plastic {Renwall}, and manufacturers presentation models {desk
models by Topping,Verkuyl, Pac Min, Bonzart etc}. Also free classified
advertising-aircraft models only.  Miniature Aircraft Quarterly or MAQ is published
for a new club for collectors  - I.M.A.C.S. The International Miniature
Aircraft Collectors Society.There are over 800 members from all over the world. A
membership is $38.50 and includes free classified ads in each issue.
Contact: 
IMACS, PO BOX 845, 
GREENWICH, CT 06836. 
(or e-mail GRWEBSTER)

(Tom's Note - If you are into airplanes you have to try this small,
but colorful and very well done magazine, and GRWEBSTER is
a reader of rec.toys.vintage)

"Toy Gun Collectors of America" newsletter. Published 
bi-monthly by Jim Buskirk, 619-599-1054. 

(Tom's Note - the supplier of this info noted it was
"Not a slick publication, but VERY informative. Has articles and 
classifieds. ")

U.S. TOY COLLECTOR
Box 4244, Missoula, MT 59806-4244
monthly, reg. sub. $21.00 1st class $39.00.

(Tom's Note - about 45 pages devoted to mostly old trucks
and cars, Buddy L's, Tonkas, Wyandotte etc. My first issue
is on the way, I'll let you know what I think after an issue or two.)
 
Q2.3: Where can I find replacement parts for old toy restoration?
A2.3: Two sources are;

Thomas Toys
Box 405
2017 Bly Drive
Fenton, MI 48430
313-629-8707
They carry an illustrated catalog with many older toy vehicle parts. 

BUDDY K TOYS
20  Durham St
HellerTown, PA 18055
Mon-Fri 9 to 5 EST
610-838-6505
"The" restorer for Olde Buddy L's etc.

Q2.4: Are there professional Toy Restorers?
A2.4: Yes. Here are a few listed who have
      advertised in Antique Toy World Magazine

Tin Toy Works - makes any missing parts for
all tin toys (610) 439-8268

Russ Harrington - mech. and still banks and
cast iron  (410) 687-8596

Randy's Toy Shop - Tin, celluloid, boxes, Iron
composition, clockwork  (317) 843-1998

Sy Schreckinger - mechanical banks and toys
(516) 536-4154

Q2.5: What are some web pages devoted to old toys?
A2.5: There is an excellent page which lists all toy
      sources (if you find one not there, let us know).
      Thanks to Eric Myers;
    
http://www.toymania.com/links/index.shtml