As a septuagenarian, I no longer am faced with contemplating the question: how do you know when you are old? The question is answered every time I look into the mirror. I am old. There is no escaping it.

When I lecture, I joke that one method of determining that you are old is discovering that the things with which you grew up are now in museum collections. My childhood memorabilia has been part of museum collections for decades. I have revised my thinking. When your childhood things are in a museum’s collection, you are ancient. When your children’s things are included, you are decrepit. Several of the 12 finalists were marketed when my children were teenagers.

I am decrepit.

The National Museum of Play, formerly The Strong Museum, is among my favorite museums. I identify with Margaret Woodbury Strong, its founder. She understood piles, and she created some big ones.

The National Toy Hall of Fame, established as part of A. C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village in 1998, was acquired by The Strong Museum in 2002. The members include generic toys such as the ball, cardboard box, kite and stick alongside brand-name toys such as The Game of Life, Mr. Potato Head and View-Master. While Buzz Lightyear and Woody are nowhere to be found, I would not count them out long-term.

The National Toy Hall of Fame deserves applause for the lack of gender bias in the toys featured among its inductees. While toy collecting is heavily male driven, even when doll collecting is included, toy play is more sexually equal. Barbie stands beside G.I. Joe. The Baby Doll, Easy-Bake-Oven, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and the Teddy Bear demonstrate respect for the distaff side of the play equation.

I find myself drawn to objects that “speak decade,” objects closely identified with a specific time period. The decade does not have to be a decade I favor. I remain current in the trade because I work hard to identify objects that speak to the generations that preceded and follow me.

Writers take liberties. As such, I am going to twist Christopher Bensch’s request for play comments into a desire for me to share my thoughts about the 12 2011 finalists.

As I get older, I have increasing difficulty with generic terms. While I realize the possibilities are endless, if I ask an individual to describe and/or draw a ball, a cardboard box, a kite or a stick, I suspect the end result would agree 75 percent of the time. This would not be the case with the dollhouse. Each person sees the house differently—style, layout and construction material. In addition, adults own dollhouses. While it is true that some adults play with toys, there is an implied sense that National Toy Hall of Fame is about childhood toys and this should remain its focus.

If true, this allows a challenge to Dungeons & Dragons on similar grounds. Harry Jr. began playing Dungeons & Dragons when he was in his teens. He turns 45 this year and still plays Dungeons & Dragons. At best, Dungeons & Dragons is on the teenager/young adult cusp of childhood toys. Adventure games are not members of the National Toy Hall of Fame, nor ever should be.

When lecturing about toys, I often refer to the Big Five Baby Boomer Toys—Barbie, G.I. Joe, Hot Wheels, Legos and Matchbox. Barbie, G.I. Joe and Legos are members of the National Toy Hall of Fame. There is no question that Hot Wheels deserves to stand beside them. Matchbox’s absence from the finalist list is troubling. I have no desire to see Matchbox slip in under a generic “die-cast” category. Like Tonka Trucks, already a member, Matchbox is worthy.

Why do I have the feeling that Jenga is a politically correct addition to the list? I would hate to think it has anything to do with throwing a bone to Hasbro in acknowledgment of its dominance in the current toy marketplace. Icon-status, longevity, discovery and innovation are four criteria for admission into the National Toy Hall of Fame. I favor the first two over the latter two. The only way Jenga slips in is under the innovation designation. The selection committee could have chosen better.

As a populist, I question the pogo stick. Although it was around when I was a youth, I never saw the same play devotion among its users as I did for those who owned bicycles, a Hall member. Sofia and Marcelo, my grandchildren, own a pogo stick and bicycle. They ride their bicycles. The pogo stick gathers dust in the corner.

Although the puppet would not be among my final two choices, it did make my final five list. While my puppet play was limited, I witnessed ample puppet play among my contemporaries and subsequent generations to see the merit and value of this toy as a finalist. Sofia and Marcelo have puppets and they play with them.

It is not clear who the target audience is for remote control vehicles—children or males who still want to be children. R/C vehicles are clearly a male toy, a charge that can be leveled against Dungeons & Dragons, Hot Wheels and Transformers. The problem is longevity, not the male focus or the generic nature of the category. My observation is that the play attention factor for R/C vehicles is measured in days or weeks at best. The novelty wears off quickly. I do not see R/C vehicles as long-term toy play memories.

Rubik’s Cube is similar to liver and onions. You either love it or hate it. I hated Rubik’s Cube. Cousin Buck was a genius at solving it, which was another reason I hated it. Toys that frustrate and are not fun have no place in the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Simon arrived on the scene in 1978, far too late for my childhood game playing days. I do not remember buying it for my children. I have seen it played. I think Sofia owns an example, but I have to check. My observation is that it is a “craze” game—a game that is bought, enjoys a brief period of intense play, and is then relegated to a forgotten space in a closet, on a shelf in the basement or bottom of a toy box.

As much as emotion and passion should play a minimum role in the selection process, I am not able to avoid them in respect to Star Wars action figures. The action figure’s replacement of the vehicle as the No. 1 toy in the toy collecting category in the 1990s is the most significant collecting change in the toy collecting category in the 20th century. In one sense, I am delighted the selection committee did not create a generic action figure category, something it could easily have done. Instead, the inclusion of Star Wars action figures represents an understanding that there are subcategories within the general category that deserve special recognition. While toy collectors will never agree on the exact degree to which Star Wars action figures contributed to action figures replacing vehicles as the dominant boy toy, all agree the role was critical. Whether 2011 should be the year when Star Wars action figures enter the National Toy Hall of Fame is debatable. What is not is whether they should be so recognized. Star Wars action figures belong in the Hall.

So do Transformers. But, this is not their year. This may not even be their decade. While an iconic toy for their generation, they still need to stand the test of time. I have no doubt Transformers will. The maxim all things come to those who wait applies.

Twister made my Top 5 list. It was more a heart than mind vote. Like so many other games, it quickly tends to find its way into storage. Yet, it also works its way out generation after generation.

The final decision for the 2012 inductees already has been made. I wrote this column more to get my thoughts in order for next year than any attempt to impact this year’s decision. For several years, I considered submitting my ideas for the finalist list but never did anything about it. Next year I plan to be proactive. Who will lend their support for pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey?

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Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet. Check out Harry’s Web site..

You can listen and participate in Harry’s antiques-and-collectibles radio call-in show “Whatcha Got?” on Sunday mornings between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern Time. It streams live on the Genesis Communications Network.

“Sell, Keep Or Toss? How To Downsize A Home, Settle An Estate, And Appraise Personal Property” (House of Collectibles, an imprint of the Random House Information Group), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via Harry’s Web site..

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the 20th century. Selected queries will be answered on this site. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Pond Court SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. You can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker [at] aol [dot] com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered. Please indicate that these are questions for WorthPoint.

Copyright © Rinker Enterprises, Inc. 2011

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This extremely rare 1870 patent model horse and carriage tin toy, with half-tag receipt and patent tag, will lead the SeriousToyz.com auction.

A hard to find 1919 A. C. Gilbert & Co. 'New Wheel' building toy, mint in the box with paperwork, is another highlight from the auction.

Two lots in particular are expected to generate intense bidder interest. One is an 1870 patent model horse and carriage tin toy, including paperwork (a half-tag indicating when the toy was received, and a patent tag dated July 26, 1870). The other is a rare 1919 A.C. Gilbert & Co. ‘New Wheel’ building toy, mint in the box, also with paperwork.

Both toys will carry suggested opening bids of $1,500, according to Tom Miano, owner of SeriousToyz.com. He added the auction was delayed a bit from its planned Fall 2010 schedule date.

“It took us a little while to get our ducks in a row on this one,” Miano said, “but in the end, everything lined up beautifully and we’re looking forward to quite possibly our best sale ever.”

Flying Fox jet propeller battery-operated airplane, made in 1959 by Remco, with original box.

More than 40 consignors, including several 30- and 40-year lifetime collections, were brought together in an auction that offers something for just about every toy collector and aficionado. Featured are a large number of mint, store stock and factory-sealed items, plus in-depth offerings across dozens of collecting categories. A sampling of what’s for sale follows:

• Hundreds of highly collectible die-cast toys, to include Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Corgi, Dinky and more, both boxed and loose, with many scarce and rare variations;
• Dozens of sought-after and coveted character toys from the 1950s and ’60s, many in their original packaging and many factory sealed. A trove for nostalgic baby boomers;
• More than 70 beautiful vintage lunch boxes, with many highly desirable issues;
• A large group of tin wind-up and battery-operated toys from the early 1900s through the 1950s, including many classic characters;
• Scores of pressed steel, tin, cast-iron and plastic vehicle toys, to include cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, trains, ships and more;
• Smaller groups of outstanding pieces, in categories such as sand pails, Halloween, Pez, lead soldiers, World’s Fair, tin, early pinbacks, rings, premiums, classic ’60s toys and more.

Mack cast-iron high coal dump truck, by Arcade (1931), with rubber wheels and chrome driver.

“We pride ourselves in holding auctions that offer quality items in all price ranges, so everyone can participate,” Miano said. “Our auction rules are set up so that everyone has an equal chance to get what they’re bidding on.”

Bidders have several ways to participate. They can log on to the SeriousToyz Web site, and bid online; they can mail in a bid (to #1 Baltic Place, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520), or phone in their bid, toll-free (866.653.8699, international 914.271.8669). A full-color catalog ($10 postpaid, $15 international) is also available.

Dome lunch box for “The Jetsons” TV show (1963), by Aladdin, with bottle; minor rust spots.

There are no “sudden death” endings in SeriousToyz.com auctions. Each lot has its own computerized “clock,” and items will close individually when 60 minutes pass without a bid. As such, there is no advantage or need for participants to wait for the last minute to place a bid, especially if they are bidding by phone. Bidding before closing days and when using ceiling bids are both advised. Pre-registration with a valid credit card is required before a bid can be placed.

SeriousToyz.com was launched in 1995 by Tom and Patti Miano, dedicated toy collectors who turned their passion into a thriving business. For 15-plus years, they’ve sold thousands of items to discriminating collectors worldwide.

Oversized, multiple-view photos of each lot, in full color and with detailed descriptions for each one, may be viewed at the SeriousToyz.com Web site.

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1964 Chevrolet Impala sedan by Matchbox

Maxi Taxi (Ford Capri) by Matchbox

1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL by Matchbox

1987 Ford LTD by Matchbox

The taxi cab is a common sight on the streets of any city. For small-scale die-cast collectors, the humble cab has been made available over the years in many forms. At any given time, most die-cast manufacturers have at least one cab in their regular line-up. The examples shown here are by no means all the cabs done in 1:64 scale. It is interesting to observe, however, how the vast majority of cabs have been painted in “taxi” yellow color scheme.

The most prolific producer of tiny taxi cabs has been Matchbox. The first cab shown is a 1964 Chevrolet Sedan, #20. Other than the “Taxi” decal on the hood and its color, this could be a regular street car. As far as I know, it was always offered in taxi form. The next Matchbox taxi is a joker in the deck. The “Maxi Taxi” of 1973 is one of the “Rolomatic” cars. When it is rolled across the floor or a table, the blown V8 engine moves up and down. The original casting is of the Ford Capri—certainly not a choice for taxi service—considering it’s a coupe. Oh well, it’s fun and could have made an interesting drag racer for an ex-taxi driver.

1987 Ford LTD ('TAXI') by Matchbox	Austin FX4R London Cab by Matchbox
Austin FX4R London Cab by Corgi	Mercedes-Benz 300 SE by Zylmez

The Mercedes Benz 450SEL #56 is an appropriate choice for a taxi as many European cabs are Mercedes sedans. This casting was offered in stock and police form as well. A newer taxi from Matchbox is the 1987 Ford LTD. It is shown in regular issue form and as one of the new “Star Car Collection,” representing the “Taxi” TV show that starred Judd Hirsch and Danny DeVito. Of course the LTD was never featured in the show, as al the cabs were Checkers. The last Matchbox is an Austin FX4R cab in London black. Originally offered in 1986, it has recently been re-released with the word ‘Taxi’ on the doors.

Corgi also offered an Austin FX4R London Cab as a Corgi Junior. The opening doors of the Matchbox make it the better casting of the two. A very early Zylmez, #D37, represents a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE in taxi form and may well be a Matchbox copy. The decal on the hood reads “United States Auto Club,” a rather curious choice for a Mercedes taxi. The crude wheels date this as an early offering from Zylmex.

1977 Dodge Coronet Custom by Tomica	1982 Chevrolet Malibu by Hot Wheels
Chevrolet Caprice by Maisto	Renault 18 by Majorette

Moving on, Tomica did a 1977 Dodge Coronet Custom, #F8 as a taxi. Hot Wheels produced a rather interesting taxi in 1982. The car is a Chevrolet Malibu sedan and was not offered in any other form or color. As a result, this is a rather rare casting and the only example of this particular Chevrolet. Maisto has recently offered a late 1990s Chevrolet Caprice as a taxi and police car. Majorette has offered several taxi models over the years. The Renault 18, #266 is un-marked except for the taxi light n the roof. The ’80s Chevrolet Impala taxi, #240 is also available in police and military form.

A newcomer to die-cast, Golden Wheel, has recently offered four car sets of taxi, police and fire vehicles. These are of excellent quality and include two cars that are seldom represented. The Checker cab should have been done long ago. This example is a delight and looks just right. It does not seem right however in police or fire guise. The early ’50s Chevrolet sedan is also a welcome addition and just as good. The modern Chevrolet Caprice cab is the third and equally well-done member of this set.

Chevrolet Caprice Classic by Majorette	Chevrolet Caprice by Golden Wheel
Checker Cab by Golden Wheel	1952 Chevrolet Sedan by Golden Wheel

—by Doug Breithaupt

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It seems he has recently been watching the Hanna-Barbera “Wacky Racers” cartoon from the 1970s, where a collection of wacky racers compete over a series of likewise wacky race courses. Dick Dastardly and Mutley, his dog, always try to cheat to win, and of course never do. Bentley’s recent purchase of a Hot Wheels “Hot Seat” car had inspired him to re-create the wacky races for himself.

Wacky racers are not new to die-cast. Almost entirely in 1:64 scale, these are hot rods with a twist. Usually, my collection focuses on realistic production or race cars, but over the years I have picked up an assortment of “custom” cars. These cars tend to fall into several categories:

• Traditional hot rods (like the ’32 Ford ‘deuce’ coupes and Model ‘T’ high-boy roadsters);
• Futuristic custom cars (like turbine or nuclear powered cars with sleek body work);
• Cartoon cars (featuring cartoon characters at the wheel or cars from cartoons);
• Production customs (post-war cars with massive engines or wild body alterations), and;
• Wacky Racers.

My definition a Wacky Racer is a car that is almost (or totally) cartoonish in appearance but not from actual cartoons. Often Wacky Racers are planes, trains or even toilets, made into custom cars. Of course there is no perfect definition here; you know them when you see them. These are toy cars that make you smile. Some are models of actual creations by Barris or other customizers. Others came directly from the fevered brains of die-cast designers, most likely the results of a steady diet of sugar and caffeine. First and foremost, Wacky Racers are fun.

Red Baron”

Mini Ha Ha”

Dog Fighter”

Nine Wacky Racers have been selected from my collection to illustrate the category. The first three have aviation aspirations or inspirations, as the case may be. The first is a true classic and one of the best known of all Hot Wheels, the “Red Baron” (1969). Not modeled after an actual car, the “Red Baron” was one of Hot Wheels’ biggest hits of the late 1960s, and later a full-sized version was created. Early editions had a spike on the helmet, but it was later removed for safety reasons. It was later released as a 25th anniversary model. Complete with twin machine guns and an iron cross on the radiator, this is one of the best wacky racers.

The second in this series comes from Matchbox. In the 1970s, Matchbox followed Hot Wheels’ lead with a wide variety of custom cars. Few qualify as Wacky Racers, but one stands out for me. The “Mini Ha Ha” (#14, 1975) is a wild custom of an actual car, the Austin Mini. At the same time, the cartoonish proportions, including the helmeted driver, and radial aero-engine are just wacky enough for me.

The third aero-car is a newer (comparatively) Hot Wheels release. The “Dog Fighter” (1996) is a wingless plane with four wheels, another radial aero-engine and propeller. The graphics are great, especially the most recent black and yellow version. The number of “kills” are represented on the side with tiny dog bones.

Boothill Express"

Vampire Van"

"Li'l Coffin"

The second set of Wacky Racers is also following a theme. The first two are from Johnny Lightning, part of the “ ’Frightning Lightning” series of 1996. My favorite is the “Boothill Express.” This George Barris custom is exceptionally well done in small-scale. This hearse is a hoot. The V8 has what must be the tallest velocity stacks of all time and the eight exhaust pipes are clearly detailed. With real rubber tires and mag wheels, this is a great Wacky Racer.

The second car, from the same “ ’Frighting Lightning” series, is the “Vampire Van.” Complete with a casket in the back, Dracula would be the darling of the drag races in this delectable die-cast.

The third of these gruesome go-carts is a 1994 offering from Hot Wheels. “Li’l Coffin” features a wheeled pinebox, complete with skull headlights and a bat on the nose. The usual V8 hot rod engine appears to have a blower attached ahead of the radiator. This car would not only let you go in style but it would also get you to the pearly gates in record time.

Paddy Wagon”

Radio Flyer”

Hot Seat”

The last set is a mix of favorites. The companion to Hot Wheels “Red Baron” was the “Paddy Wagon” (1969). This dual-carbed V8 could make even the Keystone cops look good. Based on another real custom, this is the ultimate police cruiser.

Just as much fun is Hot Wheels’ “Radio Flyer” from 1998. This little red wagon could be a real paper route power house. I love the steering handle, complete with instrumentation. It makes you want a real one.

Last is the latest from Hot Wheels, the un-disputed king of Wacky Racers. The “Hot Seat” is everything a Wacky Racer should be. This seat-of-ease is perfect with a plunger steering wheel that moves when you lift the seat, twin TP rolls for quicker pit stops and a hole in the bowl, just like at home. Of course it’s rear-engined, with a motorcycle motor in the tank.

So who would you put your money on in this Wacky Race? Perhaps you have a favorite Wacky Racer from your collection, if so let me know. As a side-note, Johnny Lightning has done two of the actually Wacky Racers from the cartoon (Dick Dastersly’s and Penelope Pit Stop’s racers), but as they are actual cartoon cars, they fall in the other category. With the recent new offerings from Hot Wheels, it appears that Wacky Racers are going to delight a lot more 4-year-olds, and a few of their parents, too.

— by Doug Breithaupt

Two watch an episode of Wacky Racers, here is “Whizzin’ to Washington” Parts One and Two.

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No other car is associated with a single color as are Ferrari and the color red. Real Ferrari cars do come in other colors, and if your Ferrari is not in Italian racing red, fly yellow is the next best choice. With the recent addition of Hot Wheels’ 1970 Ferrari Daytona in yellow, I became curious. How many of Ferrari’s finest from Hot Wheels had been done in this number-two color? While I can’t be certain that my collection is all-inclusive, 10 different examples are shown here. Of course, as I’ve included to versions of the F40, only nine castings are represented.

The 1957 250TR (Testarossa) is the first model and it also sports the number 7, and appropriately so, as these were primarily racing models. The 365GT/4 Daytona is next, sporting fly yellow for 2001. The evergreen 308GTB is a bit harder to find in yellow, as this color did not last long for this model.

The Testarossa of the 1980′s in yellow is an even rarer find, as it only appeared this way in a special race set. The F40 model has seen yellow paint twice. The blue interior car sports ultra-hot wheels, while the more recent all-yellow version has the new 5-spoke wheels.

The 348tb looks much better in yellow than it did in some of the other colors used on this model, especially a pathetic pink. The 355 Berlinetta was introduced in yellow. In addition to the stock version, a 355 Challenge model has now been offered in yellow as well. Perhaps most interesting, the two 355 castings are completely different. The last yellow Ferrari is the F50 Berlinetta model.

It is not a long-shot that the 550 Maranello, 360 or 355 Spider are likely to appear in yellow at sometime as well. The 333SP was not raced in yellow to my knowledge, and is less likely to be seen in this color. I would love to see the 312 GT racer or 512 Pininfarina prototype of the early ’70s re-released, however the originals did not come in yellow.

— By Doug Breithaupt

I believe that toy model cars will become even greater collectibles than they are today. You see, as designs of yesteryear disappear, these toy models will keep the exciting features of these older cars alive and fresh in our memories. Young people today will never be able to drive in a Cadillac that’s as long as a train, or ride in a Gull-winged Mercedes Benz. In fact, I doubt they’ll ever know they’ve missed something special, and what a shame that is.

Collectible toy and model cars keep climbing in price every day. I’ve written about this before and at that time, I mentioned a toy VW Bus that sold for over $18,000. It seemed to me that this was the exception, until I looked on eBay and found a toy car that sold for $7,200, as well as many others that brought in over $4,000.

Many companies made these toy cars such as Wyandotte, Hubley, and Dinkey Toys. Tooties and the more modern line, Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars can substantially fatten your wallet. Plus, when you add in the valuable and collectible tin toys made in Japan, you’ll have an unlimited supply to find. If you find one along with the original box, it’s even more valuable. Often, the box is worth as much as the toy. Condition is very important, and the closer it is to mint condition, the higher the price.

There are plastic cars from the 50’s and 60’s that are collectible, tin toys from Japan, German tinplate cars, diecast models, and many more. If you’re a 31 Club Member and you’d like a listing of over 1000 Toy Car Brands E-mail Cindy with your Member Password in the Subject at cindy [at] 31corp [dot] com. She’ll send it by e-mail to you.
If this is an area in the Antique & Collectible world that holds great interest to you and you’d like to focus in this area, there are many collector clubs. These collectors clubs are a great place to sell your items, so you might want to add them to your list and start making contacts. And who knows, you might even meet collectors who are looking to sell their collections. As I’ve said before, forming relationships in this business is essential.

I still have a cast iron racer my Uncle Warren Dee brought for me soon after returning home from serving two terms as a tank commander in the Pacific during the war. He died in a motorcycle accident shortly after his return, so I’m not likely to part with it. It keeps his memory alive for me, but I imagine is has great value today for collectors.

Toy cars are where its at, no upkeep or gas required just pleasant memories and money in your pocket. You can’t beat that no matter how hard you try.

Join Daryle Lambert’s 31 Club, today. Rub elbows with like-minded 31 Club Members, and Put a Turbo Charge on your Antique & Collectible Treasure Hunting Skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to Make High Profits and Continue to Grow Your Money Buying and Selling Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectibles. Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers.

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