Japanese Chirashi movie posters – Star Wars original trilogy

Posted on August 30, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Japanese Chirashi are small double-sided movie posters handed out at theatres to advertise upcoming movies. The following is a near-complete set of the Star Wars original trilogy set. To date, and as far as I’m aware, there are two ROTJ teaser variations I need along with a ROTJ theater variation. The variations are fairly minor and involve certain text colour changes and theatre information. If I can get these final three I’ll add them here. For now, here are the eight I own. Images are shown featuring the front and reverse side by side. Click to make bigger and feel the force!

Star Wars. 1977. Theatre Release version 1.

Star Wars. 1977. Theatre Release version 2.

Star Wars. 1982. Japanese dubbed re-release.

TESB. 1980. Theatre Release version 1.

TESB. 1980. Theatre Release version 2.

ROTJ. 1982. Teaser.

ROTJ. 1983. Theatre Release.

ESB / ROTJ 1986. Double-feature Theatre Release.

ESB / ROTJ 1986. Double-feature Theatre Release. Reverse side.

Transformers, Cluedo, Buccaneer, Monogram, and Siku Cars

Posted on August 17, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Six UK toy and games adverts from the 1980s.

UK. Eagle. 1984.

UK. Eagle. 1983.

Non-toy ad Tuesday: 1980s British snacks – E.T. Cola Creams, Curly Wurly, Caramac, Hula Hoops, Hubba Bubba, Rice Krispies and Sherbet Fountain

Posted on August 16, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Seven scrumptious snack adverts. They’re 80s, they’re British, they’re yummy, they’re making me nostalgic and very, very hungry!

UK. Eagle. 1983.

UK. Eagle. 1984.

UK. Eagle. 1983.

UK. Eagle. 1982.

UK. Eagle. 1983.

UK. Eagle. 1985.

UK. Eagle. 1984.

The man inside R2-D2, RIP Kenny Baker

Posted on August 13, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Sad to hear the news that Kenny Baker has died today. R2-D2 has always been one of my favourite characters from Star Wars, and Kenny played his part well inside this droid for six of the films, including the role of Speeder Bike thief, Paploo the Ewok in Return of the Jedi. Here are a few vintage toy ads featuring the feisty droid.

France. Pif Gadget. 1982.

France. Pif Gadget. 1979.

France. PIf Gadget. 1981.

Top Trumps – card games for kids and adults

Posted on August 6, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Top Trumps is a numerical data card game in which players try to win their opponent’s cards by ‘trumping’ them with a higher-rated card of their own. Original sets from the late 1960s through to the 70s and 80s were often based on the theme of sports and high-powered vehicles, combining factual knowledge with competitive fun. The Waddingtons company was arguably responsible for making Top Trumps a household name in the 1970s and 80s.

Waddingtons Top Trumps. 1983. UK.

Relaunch

Top Trumps was relaunched during the late 1990s and expanded its themes to include science, wildlife, pets, TV, movie and pop stars, book and comic characters, and many other diverse subjects. Below are a few of my modern packs, followed by a vintage Waddingtons motorcycles quartet deck, an FX-Schmid automobiles quartet deck, and some print advertising examples.

Modern packs: The Smurfs, The Muppet Show, The World of Roald Dahl, Disney Planes.

Modern packs: Marvel Comics characters.

Modern packs: The Lord of the Rings, Wonders of the World, The Dog, Postman Pat Juniors edition.

French McDonalds Happy Meal exclusives.

Waddingtons Top Trumps quartet game, Motorcycles, UK

Vintage Top Trumps. 1970s Motorcycles pack.

FX-Schmid Top Trumps quartet cards, Germany/France

German company FX-Schmid, along with other companies like Piatnik, Altenburg-Stralsunder, and Dubreq, was the forerunner to Top Trumps. Below is a complete German/French quartet set from the 1970s, Autos de Course.