Posts Tagged ‘toys’

 A Hug . . . isn’t that appropriate?  Lucky Bears Limited is a UK company, understandable since England’s manufacturers of collectible Teddy Bears outnumbered many other countries.  Although Lucky Bears offers a few new bears for children, they specialize in vintage and antique bears for the collector and new collectible bears are available from selected manufacturers.

Steiff is probably the most well-known maker of Teddy Bears and auction prices confirm its collectibility.  But there are several other companies that produced (some still in business) high quality bears.  As part of their Encyclopaedia, Lucky Bears gives us the history, popular bears, and means of identification for companies spanning five countries.  While many may think ‘one size fits all,’ the characteristics of each company’s bears shows just how unique these creations are.

Browsing the antique and vintage bears for sale, one is struck by the personality of each.  Many were created to commemorate events and people.  Paddington Bear is a classic example of bears who were born from storybooks.  And who doesn’t remember Smokey telling us “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”?

Lucky Bears tells you how to care for your bears – storage, cleaning, pests, etc.  Especially important when adding a vintage bear to your Hug.  Not just for antique bears, this is applicable to the numerous bears your children have been given over the years.  The glossary is well done and includes ‘when’ and ‘why’ explanations.  Vastly more understandable than just a quickie definition, which often leaves one no wiser than before.  If you’ve come across a Teddy Bear term not mentioned, Lucky Bears encourages you to email them and they’ll add it to the glossary.

Just as we have a diversified group of friends, Teddy’s circle includes dogs, frogs, rabbits, beavers and more.  Collectible on their own, Teddy would invite them all to a party.  And don’t forget to dress appropriately; from a casual backyard barbecue to the president’s inauguration, the well-dressed bear is ready for any occasion.  You can find accessories here or inspiration to make your own.

How much is your bear worth?  Lucky Bears gives us an in-depth look at what makes a bear valuable.  Condition is primary for any collectible, manufacturer is important, but size, color and other factors also contribute to value.  Take a close look at your Teddy Bear while reading “How Much is MY Antique Bear Worth?” and you may move him from your bed to a glass case.

Lucky Bears Limited <http://luckybears.com> is a friendly, informative, easy-to-navigate site.  They gladly share their considerable knowledge and have superb photos.  And don’t forget to check out the Links page for clubs, current manufacturers, magazines, and more.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

P.S. For those not familiar with the metric system an easy, one-step conversion is http://www.worldwidemetric.com/measurements.html

Jim Sneed’s website — All About Old Toys (http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/) — is constantly growing and evolving.  Originally Judy’s Old Wood Toys, the name change came about to reflect the inclusion of metal toys.  400 pages of articles, more than 4200 photos, over 50 toy company histories — most contributed by researchers, collectors and family members of old toy companies.  You’d think that would be enough, but a planned merger with Richard Mueller of Antique Toy Collections (http://www.antiquetoycollections.info) later this year will more than double the scope of information.

New information is added daily to what is already the largest collection of Schoenhut circus photographs on the Web and the best Humpty Dumpty circus identification guide.  Collectors have contributed photos of some amazing collections that are a feast for the eyes.  Several museum collections are included.

Well-written and informative articles are categorized by subject and include photos, catalogs and advertisements, original and current estimated prices, dates produced, measurements, and more.  A vast storehouse of information on the companies and their toys.  ‘Dating your wooden toys’  along with a guide for researching your toy is invaluable.

Want to sell your collection?  Need repair or restoration service?  Need professional photos taken?  Jim covers all these subjects and offers several services.  You can sell your toys through his website or set up your own toy shop.  He also buys toys and has a ‘toys wanted’ list.  Many, many links with a summary of each, saving you a lot of time.

Visit All About Old Toys (http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/), you’ll find it very user friendly and easy to navigate.  Be sure to bookmark it — always something new — you’ll want to go back again and again.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’. ~ Victoria

Whatever you collect, you know the thrill of the hunt and the pure joy of adding a new found item to your collection. How do you share this with young children or grandchildren? Obviously, digging in the dirt with your prized spoons, or playing catch with your fragile water globes is not the way to go. Why not start a collection of their very own?

While Fenton glass may fascinate you, odds are your child is going to be more interested in the very things he/she is playing with now – dinosaurs, dolls, action figures, tea sets, balls, marbles, etc. Does he make a beeline for every lizard, insect, and crawly thing he sees? Is it love at first sight for any dog she encounters? Since you’ve already recycled a zillion birthday and holiday presents, which ones does she still play with? What item has stood the test of time, perhaps advanced, but still the same thing?

Let’s face it, kids want to PLAY with their things, and no collectible can long be played with, buried, left outside, dropped, etc. and remain a ‘collectible.’ So buy two. Yikes, that could get expensive! Well, not two exactly alike, just similar. A porcelain doll that will be kept in a glass cabinet can be accompanied by a ‘hands on’ doll. A finely detailed museum dinosaur is put on a shelf, while the big rubber dinosaur is ready for action. If action figures is your child’s joy, buy two of newly released figures and keep one pristine in its packaging.

Fill out an index card for each piece. Where and when it was found/bought, history of the item and all the information you can find out by researching books or online. You might have memorized everything about your Jim Beam decanter collection, but you’re not going to remember the biography of the player who signed that baseball if you’re not a fan.

And take it out once in a while. Let your child have a ‘hands on’ experience with you.

It doesn’t have to be expensive. A department store ceramic horse for display with a toy horse for play won’t break the budget. Nature provides a huge opportunity to start a collection that doesn’t cost a cent. A walk along the beach is the beginning of a shell or sea glass collection. Digging a hole yields rocks to identify. Leaves, seeds, nuts can be found anywhere, flowers can be pressed.

Expand the experience with a book or movie, visit a museum, take a nature walk, go to an auto show – whatever ties in with your child’s collectible. This is one ‘bug’ you won’t mind spreading around.