Average customer rating:
- Memories and great information for collectors
- A Wonderful Collection of Cracker Jack Prizes!
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Cracker Jack*r Toys
Larry White
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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The Unauthorized Guide to Cracker Jack Advertising Collectibles (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
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Cracker Jack Collectibles: With Price Guide (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)
ASIN: 0764301896 |
Book Description
Rediscover every toy and prize you ever pulled out of a Cracker Jack box in this wonderful guide! Comprehensive in scope, toys from the late nineteenth century on up to the 1990s are recorded, representing a major contribution to the expanding Cracker Jack collecting field. Over 290 color photographs, depicting both the front and back of many prizes, aid in the identification of both individual toys and sets of prizes. The thorough categorization of prizes assists in easy cataloging. Prices are included for these varied and fascinating toys.
Customer Reviews:
Memories and great information for collectors.......2000-10-30
After my grandmother passed away, we found a shoebox full of cracker jack toys. It was her special treat for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We took them and mounted them for memory reasons, but this book brought our love of the little toys to a reality of why we loved them as children and the precious value that they have for us today. A great part of our childhood in a great book!
A Wonderful Collection of Cracker Jack Prizes!.......1999-03-06
This is an amazingly comprehensive collection of Cracker Jack prizes, with HUNDREDS of detailed photos showing THOUSANDS of prizes. While this book is a must-have for the serious collector of Cracker Jack prizes, it will delight anyone with pleasant memories of those special prizes.
The accompanying prize lists with descriptive and historical information are presented chronologically, with prizes grouped by series where applicable. An elaborate identification system reflecting the prizes' date, composition, marking, type, size, color, and description is utilized, with estimated value for each prize given.
Searching through CRACKER JACK TOYS for that fondly remembered surprise can be almost as much fun as originally digging for it in a box of Cracker Jack!
Average customer rating:
- A trip down memory lane.
- I was looking for a price guide....
- Memory Lane for Toys and Games
- A Historical Chapter in the Civilization of Man.
- A Museum in Hardcover
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The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys
Tim Walsh
Manufacturer: Keys Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them
ASIN: 0964697343 |
Book Description
The Playmakers: Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys is a celebration of classic toys and a tribute to the people who brought them to life. The book is a journey covering nearly 100 years worth of playthings and offering a delightful look back at many childhood favorites. • Over 420 color photos bring these toys to life! • 130+ additional images of ads, patent drawings, illustrations and historical photos! • 75 toys are profiled, offering compelling behind-the-scene stories of the creation of Play-Doh, Clue, Frisbee, Nerf and more! • 15 ultra-rare prototypes are pictured, providing a glimpse of the scarcely-seen predecessors to Monopoly, Barbie, GI Joe, and others! • In-depth toy timelines, company profiles and rare interviews with inventors provide a comprehensive look at the business of making and marketing toys.
Customer Reviews:
A trip down memory lane........2007-02-03
Looking at this book reminded me of the many toys and games that I grew up with or found in the attic when I went snooping through the old stuff as a kid. This book is very well done, with lots of pictures and interesting facts. It is obvious that the book is very well researched. Worth the money.
I was looking for a price guide...........2005-03-08
I was looking for a price guide for these toys and this isn't it, but I didn't even care because this book is fabulous. Wonderful pictures and the origination of the most beloved toys. Big, thick heavy book. Nice coffee table book.
Memory Lane for Toys and Games.......2004-11-30
If you have fond recollections of tossing a Frisbee with a friend, putting a hotel on Boardwalk, using a "Q" on a triple word score, dressing a Barbie doll, watching a Slinky descend a stairway, yelling "Yahtzee," or winning a game of Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary, this fine retrospective by Tim Walsh belongs on your coffee table. All those memories and more came back for me as I turned the pages of "The Playmakers -- Amazing Origins of Timeless Toys" and learned of the inspirations, the struggles, the near-misses and the overwhelming successes of toy and game inventors of the 20th Century. The nostalgic experience and the well-researched backgrounds of these fun and educational diversions make for hours of reading and fact-finding enjoyment. I was surprised to learn that most of the big sellers over the decades have been of American origin -- though Trivial Pursuit came out of Canada and Rubik's Cube has Hungarian roots. It's a bullet-proof selection for anyone on your Christmas list who never quite grew up when it comes to playing with toys and games.
A Historical Chapter in the Civilization of Man. .......2004-08-30
Have you ever wondered who the creators are of the wonderful toys and games you and your family have enjoyed over the years? THE PLAYMAKERS has the answers. You may be especially interested in those most famous or very rare toys or games that you have tried or maybe just heard about over the years.
Even those that may deny they are toy lovers must admit they have some time or another played a game they really enjoyed or had a favorite toy of their childhood. Therefore, everyone is a toy lover! THE PLAYMAKERS will bring back memories of happy times for all ages. The collective book Tim Walsh has put together is remarkable. This is not about toys that can be picked up in any toy store or mall or even those toys made just for children. No, no, no! This is about toys for everyone: young and old, male and female. Toys and games made for all to enjoy.
This colorful, informative book by Tim Walsh is so fascinating that every family should have one in their bookcase. THE PLAYMAKERS is a terrific book that is not only fun to read but is also an historical chapter in the civilization of man.
A Museum in Hardcover.......2004-07-02
A flip through the pages of Tim Walsh's "The Playmakers" is a trip in a time machine. I had more fun reminiscing about my favorite toys than I remember having when I played with them 25 years ago! The genesis of the greatest toys of all time is a captivating story that has never before been told in such interesting detail. Tim's passion for playthings oozes from the pages and stirred nostalgia in the heart of this overgrown kid.
Book Description
This book highlights the thousands of colourful, clever toys manufactured by the Fisher Price Toy Company. Information on the Fisher Price Collectors Club, Toy Town Museum, and Fisher Price Toy Store is included, as well as a detailed history of the popular toy company that still cranks out wonderful products to this day.
Customer Reviews:
Turned to many times..........2003-04-23
This book is terrific! Tons of color, detailed pictures. I am a collector, and use this book to help identify which tiny accessories I need to find or identify. Invaluable! The focus is on toys from 1964-1990 ONLY, so if you collect from other periods this isn't the book you need. If you collect Little People (pre-1988), you need this book! I hope the authors will update it, with the "new" Little People included in a future edition.
Excellent Pictures of the Toys with Very detailed desc's.......2002-05-25
I love this book. IT is a MUST for any new and seasoned Fisher Price Collector, especially those who collect Little People. The Pictures are great and the descriptions are excellent. I love this book, and my kids enjoy looking through it as well. It brought back so many memories from toys in my past, and ensures I know what I am getting myself into if I decide to make a purchase as a collector.
FISHER PRICE TOYS.......2001-12-11
THIS BOOK HAS MANY COLORFUL PICTURES AND ACCUARTE DESCRIPTION OF EACH. I TOO HAVE JUST STARTED COLLECTING FISHER PRICE TOYS AND I FIND THIS MAKES MY SEARCHING MORE ENJOYABLE. THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR THE OVERALL TOY COLLECTOR AND THE FISHER PICE COLLECTOR.
oh yeah..........2001-04-15
this book is a real treasure. I've just begun collecting Fisher Price toys the pictures and info are of great help. Friends/family who look thru this book also get a lot of pleasure from it and will reflect back over what toys they had as kids etc...I'm real happy I made the purchase.
Fisher Price.......2000-09-14
This is a wonderful book! I loved the vivid pictures and descriptions of the playsets. If you love and collect Fisher Price, this book is for you!!
Book Description
Barbie Doll Fashion II continues the documentation of the wardrobes of Barbie doll, her family, and friends. Volume II progresses from 1968 through 1974. Many outfits included a hat, shoes, jewelry, and other tiny accessories. Over 700 gorgeous color photographs with detailed descriptions and current values.2002 values. AUTHORBIO: Sarah Sink Eames's favorite plaything as a child grew into a lifetime of Barbie doll collecting. Sarah has been a speaker and judge at national Barbie Doll conventions. She was president of Star City Doll Club, a UFDC club, and she edited A Detailed Listing and Value Guide to Barbie Doll Fashions, Volume I and II. She is the author of Barbie Doll Fashion Volume I,II, and III. REVIEW: This is the second volume in a three-volume series by author Sarah Eames. Spanning the years 1968 through 1974, the book contains the continuation of documentation of the wardrobes of the Barbie doll, her family, and friends. The book is broken into chapters which contain the outfits for each of the dolls for that particular year, based on Mattel's dealer catalogs and dating. Costumes are photographed out of the box when possible to show more detail.
Customer Reviews:
Barbie doll Fashion-1968-1974.......2007-07-05
Another great book by Sarah Sink Eames!-Great outfits and pictures-easy to see values-Fun to see how Barbie and friends followed current fashion trends for the late 60's and early 70's-very helpful to any vintage collector!!
Barbie Doll Fashion Vol 2.......2006-08-17
Great book. Found outfits and the year they came out. Do Recommend if you are into Barbie clothes...
Collectors shouldn't be without it:.......2003-08-31
If you are a collector, you should have this book on your shelf. Comprehensive, complete, with photos galore. A+++++
Bible for Barbie collectors!.......2003-08-28
In Hong Kong, it is not popular to collect vintage Barbie dolls so that it is not easy to explore specific related knowledge. This book really helps a lot. It is a bible for every Barbie collectors!
The Most Beautiful and Informative of All Barbie Books.......2003-01-25
This book and its companion volume, 'Barbie Doll Fashion: 1959-1967', are without doubt the most beautiful and informative books on the market for the vintage and mod era Barbie collector today. They are very well-written, with lovely photographs of absolutely pristine examples of each outfit, enough to make you drool over on every single page!
'Barbie Doll Fashion: 1968-1974' covers the fashions from Barbie's exciting Mod era, and includes fashions not only for Barbie, but for her friends and family as well. These include original outfits, Pak outfits, Best Buys, Get Ups and Gos, Store Exclusives and every other type of outfit available from 1968 to 1974.
Each outfit is described in detail, with a photograph showing the outfit and all accessories next to it, laying flat. Some outfits are shown on the doll. The photography is stunning, by far the best of any Barbie book I've ever seen.
'Barbie Doll Fashion: 1968-1974' isn't just informative, it's a catalogue of dreams to build on, and a fun book just to sit and look at. You'll never be sorry you own it!
Book Description
Star Wars memorabilia and collecting will be hotter than ever with the newest movie release in May of 2005. Collectors will be wild for Warman's(r) Star Wars Field Guide, with coverage of 300 of the most popular and rare Star Wars collectibles on the market.
This handy, portable guide can easily go with collectors to flea markets, auctions, conventions and anywhere else their quest for Star Wars collectibles leads them. Featuring more than 300 full color, detailed photos and illustrations of action figures, playsets, vehicles and more, with descriptions and today's market values for each, this guide is perfect for the collector on the go.
-300 of the most popular and rare Star Wars collectibles available -Full-color, detailed photos, pricing and descriptions -Convenient portable size
Customer Reviews:
It does what it was meant to do, and it does it very well. .......2006-09-13
This is perhaps Mr. Wells' best Star Wars book yet. It's cleverly modeled after a the type of field guide used by bird watchers. It's very small (five inches tall, four inches wide, and a little over one inch thick), and contains a great SAMPLE of full-color images on high-quality semi-gloss paper. For example, there is at least one sample images -- and usually even more -- of each card type from the original Star Wars action figure line (Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Power of the Force, Droids, and Ewoks). There are also sample images of most of the new carded figures from the 1990s all the way up to 2004. And that's not all... There are sample images for dozens of other items, too! Vintage examples include loose figures, 12" figures, Topps trading cards, comic books, vehicles, playsets, lunchboxes, glasses, etc.. Newer items include Lego, Hallmark ornaments, and newer trading cards, comic books, etc..
That said, this book is NOT, nor was it designed to be, even close to 100% comprehensive with regard to images (it just gives you a sample image or two of each type of item so you will be able to identify something when you come across it). But, it DOES include fairly comprehensive lists of most items in most genres (both vintage and new), and a pretty reasonable price guide for each item it lists (I'm not a big fan of price guides, but the prices in this book are at least as good as any other I've seen).
It is not the best or most comprehensive Star Wars collectable book out there (if that's what you want, I recommend John Kellerman's Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide for Collectors). But, that book costs a lot more and you can't and wouldn't want to carry it around with you. This Star Wars Field Guide contains tons of photos and valuable information in a small, high-quality package.
great!.......2005-09-29
this is a great book i love it and its very interesting! Great information and pricing !
Handy little pricing guide!.......2005-06-12
This book is not as complete as "Tomart's Price Guide to Worldwide Star Wars Collectibles", but it is far more useful as a pure pricing guide than Beckett's "Official Price Guide to Star Wars Memorabilia". It's small (about 4" x 5") but contains over 500 pages, including 250 color photos.
The items are arranged clearly and logically into 20 categories, with brief but useful introductory paragraphs alerting you to important background about each category. A very handy pocket reference tool to carry with you when attending a trading convention, flea market, or anywhere else you're looking to buy or sell Star Wars memorabilia.
Book Description
PEZ® dispensers have been an integral part of childhood for nearly 50 years. Today these colorful candy dispensers are hot collectibles sought by young and old alike.
Now collectors have an informative guide offering excellent photographs of nearly all known dispensers, as well as up-to-date pricing. Over 200 dispensers are listed, as well as variations including dispensers that were sold both “footless” and “with feet.” Many rare examples are also included. In addition to dispensers, this guide covers other PEZ®-related items-ad sheets, candy packs, counter boxes, displays and more.
- More than 200 dispensers with variations
- Over 400 photographs
- Illustrated glossary and historical information
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Reference.......2002-06-05
Being a personal friend of Shawn Peterson would probably leave you with the notion that I have a biased opinion. Having known him for a number of years and knowing his passion for collecting PEZ, I assure you that a significant amount of time, effort, and research went into this book. In reading a couple of, what I feel are unwarranted, negative reviews of this book I'd wholeheartedly disagree with their assessment. This is an outstanding book of reference with excellent photography and informative narrative. I recommend it to anyone in the hobby, or anyone simply wanting to reflect back to their childhood and reminiscing about a much simpler time in life. He's done an outstanding job in assembling an historic perspective of the company, rare and unusual dispensers, as well as common variety and new offerings. Buy with confidence and enjoy!
A waste of good cash,my friend........2001-12-23
Buy something else with your hard earned money,my friend.I have been involved with Pez since the 50's and I am tired of the constant profiteering.Ed Haas must be turning over in his grave,my friend.
A waste of good cash,my friend........2001-12-23
Buy something else with your hard earned money,my friend.I have been involved with Pez since the 50's and I am tired of the constant profiteering.Ed Haas must be turning over in his grave,my friend.
A MUST HAVE!.......2001-11-08
I bought this book from the author himself at a convention. Not only is he a very nive guy but the book is the best pez book I have ever bought. Has photos for the Ultra-Rare to the common dispenser. Shows numerous variations and includes photos from many collections. I saw some photos of dispensers that I have never heard of in my 6 years+ of collecting/selling. A must have for any collector. If you are a beginner or an expert collector this is a MUST have.
TERRIBLE!.......2001-11-05
This was a BIG letdown. Not what I expected. If you have other PEZ books just use those. My birdcage got better use out of this book.
Book Description
This colorful and informative guide to the world of Peanuts collectibles features over 1,200 full-color photographs of over 2,700 items. An extensive sampling of ceramic items, music boxes, Christmas-themed items, banks, dolls, and figurines make up this volume. Copyright information, facts about the Peanuts Collectors' Club, and tips on starting, inventorying, and selling a Peanuts collection areincluded. REVIEW: This book shows the diversities in products and presentation of pieces by the Fostoria Company, until it closed the factory in Moundsville in 1986. The authors have presented this complex period as simply as possible, providing original company catalog pages and detailed photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Healt-felt words and pictures for the Schulz Collector........2002-05-07
Wonderful and warm. Shows the heart and soul of Peanuts collecting. It's not just a price guide, it's a friend.
Peanuts Collectibles Book.......2001-07-16
This book was an big disappointment, and not as advertised.It only contains an small amount of information on Peanuts Collectibles. I would not recommend it.
Extremely Helpful.......2000-03-06
If you are looking for a single book that displays a wide variety of Peanuts Memorabilia, this is the one for you. I was surprised to see almost every item I've collected over the years presented in this book. The only downside that I found was the lack of space given for plush items, and toys. Nonetheless, you will not be disappointed.
A Beautiful Guide To Peanuts Collectibles !.......1999-12-16
A wonderful 296 page book loaded with 2,700 great photos in full color. Packed with information on the characters, copyright data, selling your collection, Peanuts Collector Club. Covers all areas, including banks, books, cosmetics, display accessories, dolls, figurines, housewares, music boxes, seasonal, stationery, toys, and more. Contains year 2000 values. Plenty of text, in addition to the listings. A real treasure you'll enjoy reading and using often.
peanuts collectibles identification and values guide.......1999-12-04
Ten times better than the first, Andrea has put her true expertise into this perfect handbook for all the crazed fans of our favorite Beagle. So many beautiful pictures of Snoopy-Stuff. GOOD GRIEF I LOVED IT. Two enthusiastic paws up.
Customer Reviews:
New 1999 Guide To Fast Food Collectibles !.......1999-12-15
This new 288 page book is packed with over 500 black and white photos (16 page color section). It provides over 2,200 realistic prices for the items. Major topics range from Arby's, Burger Chef, Hardees to McDonald's, Wendy's, White Castle and many more. Interesting and useful text is included with each major topic. You'll want to add this book to your collectibles library if fast food collectibles are in your collection.
Book Description
Perfect for Barbie® doll collectors on the go, this reference provides vast amounts of information in an easy-to-carry guide. More than 1,500 Barbie® dolls and accessories are covered, allowing collectors to easily identify and value their collections and potential purchases.
This handy book contains full-color photos and values for America's most favorite doll made from 1959 to present. Listings are presented in a checklist format so it's easy to inventory collections and create wish lists. The first Barbie® doll guide of its kind!
• Convenient Barbie® doll pocket guide
• Hundreds of listings and up-to-date values
• Checklist format to inventory collections and create wish lists
Customer Reviews:
Size makes this book handy........2004-04-30
This books size makes it convenient to carry around to garage sales or toy shows. But the content could be better, some dolls are depicted with inaccurate prices and some vintage doll's aren't pictured in their proper outfits with proper accessories. So this can become confusing for the beginner collector. However there are "warnings" listed with some vintage outfits stating that Mattel has made a reproduction (these are worth far less) of it. This is a great feature if you are not a Barbie expert.
A good book for the beginner, but I recommend using this guide along with a larger more detailed Barbie book.
Great things come in small packages.......2003-05-16
What a wonderful book! The Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide is packed with useful information and great color photographs. And all at a super affordable price. I'm impressed. The book is designed as a take-along pocket guide, yet it's amazingly complete and thorough. It covers six decades of Barbie dolls, provides several hundred color photographs, a history of Barbie, critical identification information, -- including how to identify Barbie No. 1 -- fashion sets, designer dolls and a price guide to more than 1,500 dolls. It's perfect for a gift or for yourself, or even as a gift for yourself. I have several Barbie books on my shelves, and that's where they stay. But this little dynamo is never going to leave my side.
It's so small.......2003-05-08
First thought upon getting this, it's tiny! I've been waiting at least two months for this book to come out and I was a tad upset that the price guide is not up-to-date. NOTHING that came out in 2002 is in there, nor are any non-collector dolls listed.
If you need a pocket guide to carry to conventions, it's perfect. If you want something to help you figure out how much to bid on E-Bay, it's perfect. Otherwise, just get it for the vibrant color pictures (No black & white) , which strangly have dolls that haven't even been released yet.
Book Description
Shogun Warriors. Godaikin. Micronauts. They came in their legions, leaping straight from Japanese TV sets onto toy shelves. Shiny, outrageously colorful, sporting spring-powered missiles and "rocket punches" they were unlike anything seen before. Super #1 Robot showcases these unique action figures created during the heyday of Japanese robot toys, 1972 to 1982. From Popy's classic "Chogokin" Mazinger Z to Takatoku's Valkyrie (the first seamlessly transforming toy), these are the pinnacle of modern Japanese robot toys, and transformed not only themselves, but also today's toy culture.
Customer Reviews:
Great book!.......2007-02-24
I bought this book for my husband because he's obsessed with transforming robots. He squealed when he read it. The photography is wonderful and it is like a history book for the ultimate transforming robot fan.
It's About Time.......2007-01-04
It's about time an American book in english came out on this subject, authored by people who know what they're talking about and thankfully NOT including tin and wind-up robots from the 60s and earlier. This little paperback is what chogokin collectors would humorously refer to as "robot porn." It's a glossy, high-quality picture book that causes salivation and drooling with the turn of every page. Unfortunately it is by no means a complete encyclopedic manual for all toys diecast during the 70s and 80s, but that can't be expected, considering such an undertaking would produce a book (or morelike a series of books) far heftier than this little paperback. Since that expectation is unreasonable, it is entirely forgivable since this little tome covers quite a chunk of the chogokin, vinyl and plastic market, and a nice variety, as well.
First off the book construction is sweet - small and easily handled, it's like a mini coffeetable book with a glossy softcover. I wasn't expecting such a nicely made little book. There is minimal chitchat and all the talent is poured into the photography of the most mint-looking chogokin robots I have ever seen. I think the thing that I was most tickled about was there was a picture of a mint Tetsujin 28 in the front of the book, and a beat up, played-with, broken and paintchipped version of the same robot in the back of the book. The wear on the used robot shows more as a sign of how much that toy was loved, not abused, and anyone who loves collecting chogokin, I think, would get the same tingly warm feeling looking at that beat Tetsujin 28 as the shiny minty one.
There are a few vinyl robots included in the line-up, and I could think of quite a few chogokin that were left out that could've taken up the pages of the vinyls, as I'm not much of a vinyl collector myself; vinyls are a whole other collector market and I can see why they were included in the book, but then again, I would've preferred that they weren't. Vinyls were usually monsters, but the ones that depict robots were the ones focussed on. All in all they don't take up a lot of space. Also the book is an almost even mix between the comical/humorous chogokin like Robocon and Robodachi and the more serious robot gladiators and team robots like the Godaikins; again these are (more or less) two different collector markets and not everyone collects both. As well, there are some Giant Machinders included, which is not even a scratch on the surface for them since there are quite literally hundreds if not more to collect in that category, but this book is really not meant to be a catalogued record of every robot ever made. Even though one will be able to think of some robots that were left out, all the major ones were included. The only complaint I have is that a lot of them are shown not holding a weapon, when many of them are known for their specific or characteristic weapon(s). Some are shown with a weapon, like Garbin, but too many are just robots standing weaponless. Again, though, this book isn't meant to be an official catalogue, so don't expect accessories to be featured.
If you want lists and cataloging of every robot ever made during the 70s and 80s, there are plenty of online sites that attempt to accomplish such a massive undertaking. But if you want to flip through a nice hefty little book just to get the tingly warm feeling of joy gazing upon the robots of your childhood, this book is totally worth it. It's a little window peephole into the past, but man is it worth peeping.
Fantastic world of J-bots!.......2006-10-13
Hi, this is hubby James writing this review...
I just got SUPER #1 ROBOT and it totally rocks. As much as I thought I knew about J-bots, this really showed how much I didn't know. Even if you are well-versed in "super robots" and anime mecha, expect to be surprised by some really far-out machines you've never seen, from shows you've never heard of (but wish you had)!
The photos are wonderful, shot from a proper low perspective, giving these tiny giants their respect. They look like huge works of art here, which in some ways, they truly are. Great work! I am looking forward to Alt's next book very eagerly.
A JAPANESE ROBOT LOVERS DREAM COME TRUE!.......2006-03-30
My love affair with Japanese robots began with the Transformer toys of the 1980's...those generation one beauties that were at least part die-cast metal compared to the plastic versions of today. But as a collector my obsession grew once I found out there were Japanese Transformers that were never released here in the states, or were variations on the American versions such Twin Cast a re-colored version of Blaster which cold hold two of the mini-cassettes instead of one, or Sound Blaster which was an awesome black repaint of Soundwave. But as I started to get into collecting these Japanese versions I started finding other interesting toys...Macross I had been aware of for some time, mostly as model kits. And I knew that Takara had licensed a version of the transforming Valkyrie that would be called Jetfire. But then I discovered Popy, Bullmark, and Takatoku, among others and began learning about Mazinger and the Jumbo Machinders and so many others.
While long time collectors may know all the history that "Super #1 Robot" relates, less knowledgeable collectors will certainly find it valuable. The book spans the history from 1972 to the early 80's and covering the first Popy toys right up to Bandai's Valkyries. These toys first started appearing on American toy store shelves in the mid-1970's but under new names with new background stories created for them. We knew them as Shogun Warriors or Micronauts. The book traces the history of Japanese robot toys which began to take off after WWII as weapons factories were re-tooled to make toys. Popy, a division of Bandai, would introduce the first Chogokin Mazinger Z toy in 1974. Made almost entirely of hefty die-cast metal, with bright enamel paints and real firing missiles and fists, they took Japan by storm. By 1977 there were over a dozen giant robot shows on Japanese TV and over two dozen makers of toys.
The book provides a brief history on the main players such as Popy, Bullmark, Ark, Takatoku, and Takara. Popy introduced the Jumbo Machinder in 1973. Standing two feet tall and made of sturdy polyethylene these giant toys would become Shogun Warriors in the states, complete with a Saturday morning cartoon and comic book from Marvel Comics. But the real robot craze would begin a few years later with Takara's Diaclone series of transforming vehicles which would eventually make their way to our shores as the Transformers.
Some 250 pages of full color photos trace the history of these robot toys from 1972 to 1982, just before the arrival of the Transformers. The photography by Tim Brisko is absolutely stunning and is worth the price of the book alone. Each photo has the toy name and number and the manufacturer. So what's pictured? Here's just a brief list: Getter 1 Chogokin, Great Mazinger, Robocon, Robo Meka, Black Raideen, Getter Ryger, Robo X, Gakeen, Dangard A, Buildplan Daikengo, Gokai Dragon, Tetsujin 28, GoLion, Royal Comination Daiojya, Combat Armor Dougram, VF-1F Super Valkyrie, and the Destroid Tomahawk.
This is simply a fabulous book and one that needs to be in the collection of any die-hard Japanese robot collector or fan!
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Pure Super Robot Joy.......2005-08-03
Finally, an English language book about the Japanese toy robot phenomenon that swept the world in the 70s! Awestruck by Shogun Warriors and Micronauts in those days, I always suspected there was much more to these mysterious visitors from Japan. As an adult, I have rediscovered my childhood robot friends and have been learning about them and even collecting them. If you are just starting on this path as well, this book will be like finding a long lost family album of Super Robot relatives that you never knew existed!
Matt Alt and Robert Duban's tight, capable writing allow the brief 22 pages of text to be informative and entertaining while leaving the rest of this 256 page book for outstanding full page color photos by Tim Brisko. This photographic emphasis shows that the authors truly understand the appeal of Super Robots and their kin. The fantastic designs, colorful forms and dramatic lines of these extraordinary creations captured the imaginations of children across the globe and it's that aesthetic value that takes the spotlight in this book. Let's face it, these rocket punching, brightly colored enamel painted die-cast and plastic toys are exciting to behold and no descriptive text, historical account or checklist could be as satisfying as high-quality photos. The book makes no attempt to be a comprehensive checklist or field guide. Instead, it highlights what the authors believe to be the best of the best Japanese robots from the Super Robot era with an emphasis on representing as many different characters as possible. From Mazinger Z to Gundam, there are plenty of wild creations by toy companies like Popy, Bullmark, Takara, and more! Chances are that your favorite is in there!
Super #1 Robot is a wonderful book, chock full of Chokogin, jammed with Jumbo Machinders, and suitable for both novice and expert Japanese robot enthusiasts!
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