Office Cat Tales: the back of the sofa and behind the fridge

Posted on January 22, 2020 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Collage. Cat brooch from a late 1970s UK toy vending machine.

“O woe, bleak January, bringer of lean times to our editing house. Your wintry rap upon the door of our office does chill our fingers, paws and bones to the bit. The Vintage Toy Advertiser archives… ah, too grim a place to visit upon days such as these… with its hibernating vampires dangling from rafters, and frozen monsters awakening to thaw their claws and teeth in corners where sit our old photocopier and broken down time machines covered in dust. Hark! No post! No post! Our deliveries for new ads and catalogues held up by raging battles above rooftops, between dragons and banshees and mercenary raptor-bots. Grim times for office cats and editors, indeed!”

“What an exciting story,” said Wooof. “Please tell more!”

“Crivens, cat!” I retorted. “This is no tale, this is but a reality! We have no ads nor catalogues to scan… I fear our vintage readers will go hungry this winter. As shall we!”

“Tooting scarpers!” said the cat. “There’s no need to paint such a stark picture. Do you want me to search down the back of the sofa and behind the fridge and such places? There are always a few stray ads to be found.”

“Good thinking,” said I. “I’ll go warm up the scanner.”

“Meow!”

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Latest ads – simple toys, simple times

Posted on November 5, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Les Poupées de Lisette. France. 1960.

Congost toys. Spain. 1977.

Primo washing powder toys. France. 1960.

Things were simpler back then. A more innocent time?

TVTA takes a quick peek at some 1940s – 1980s print adverts from Spain, Denmark, France, the US, and the UK, featuring simple toys and ideas.

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Willy Wonka’s Magic Jumping Disc and other curiosities

Posted on August 30, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Willy Wonka’s Magic Jumping Disc. US. 1982. I remember some jumping toys that were sold in the 80s and 90s – they were spring-loaded and you had to moisten a rubber suction cap then press it down onto its base. A few seconds later, the force of the spring would release the cap and the toy would jump. There were multiple variations of these toys featuring novelty animals and things, and I’m wondering if the Willy Wonka Magic Jumping Disc employed a similar method… or was it really Wonka magic at work?

Cube Lube

Cube Lube. US. 1982. Cleverly marketed on the back of the Rubik’s Cube craze yet not once mentioning the word ‘Rubik’ – possibly for fear of legal action. Cube Lube was deployed into being as a lubricant to increase your time at solving puzzles like… Rubik’s cube. The ad states the product’s greatness for other toys with moving parts, as well as the benefits for bikes and cycles.

Triple-Flips by Takara

Takara Triple-Flips. US. 1982. Japanese toy company Takara had a number of successful toy hits it was proud to put its name to such as the Japanese license to sell Kenner Star Wars toys for the first Star Wars film; Microman (Transformers); Micronauts; Battle Beasts and Beyblade. Therefore I was surprised to see today’s Takara advert in all its low-tech and simple gadgetry – Triple-Flips – a humble travelling 3-in-1 pocket board game with magnetic playing pieces.

Hostess Cup Cakes – The Flash

Hostess Cup Cakes. The Flash. US. 1982. I’m always pleased to discover a Hostess advert I haven’t added to my collection yet, and this is my first ad for The Flash! Cup Cakes, Twinkies, and Fruit Pies products were advertised by Hostess in the pages of DC and Marvel comics in single page strips that starred famous superheroes allied with Hostess cakes to take down evil villains. There are hundreds of these quirky, bizarre and sometimes plain weird adverts to be found inside comics throughout the 1970s and 1980s. To date I have 44 in my collection, thanks to The Flash!

The Jorvik Viking Centre, York

Jorvik Viking Centre Eagle comic competition. 1985. UK. Early print advert featuring the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, England. The advert is a prize-winning promotion in conjunction with Eagle comic in 1985. The Jorvik Viking Centre was opened in 1984 as a museum and visitor attraction on the excavated site of what was once the Viking city of Jorvik in the 10th century. The centre is still open to date and is one of the regions most popular visitor attractions.

Peter Pan Playthings Stunt Man Hang Glider

Stunt Man Hang Glider by Peter Pan Playthings. UK. 1983. Another promotion for the readers of Eagle comic with the chance to win a Stunt Man Hang Glider toy.

Worzel Gummidge – Scatterbrook Farm’s resident scarecrow since 1936

Worzel Gummidge. Look-In N°15. 1979. UK. Worzel Gummidge was a massive TV show hit for children back in the 1980s. The title character was played by ex-Doctor Who actor Jon Pertwee. Worzel Gummidge was first featured in children’s books in the 1930s and was written by author Barabara Euphan Todd. In 2018 it was announced that the BBC is planning to make a new TV series based on the Barbara Euphan Todd books, with Pirates of the Caribbean actor Mackenzie Crook playing the Scatterbrook Farm scarecrow.

Capsela Construction Action Vehicles

Capsela construction. US. 1982. Snap-together interchangeable parts for building motorised land and water action vehicles.

Four Monogram models adverts

: Monogram Tornado Radio Control. US. 1987.

: Monogram Lightning Radio Control. US. 1985.

: Monogram Snap Tite. US. 1976.

: Monogram 1:8 scale cars. US. 1982.

Magnum 440 by Tyco

Tyco Magnum 440. US. 1982. Slot-car racing for use on Tyco and AFX racing tracks.

Bubble Yum Sweepstakes

Bubble Yum Sweepstakes. US. 1982. Some superb prizes on offer in this Bubble Yum bubble gum sweepstakes promotion.

Thanks for looking 🙂

Latest ads – SSP, Solar Ball, Skittle Baseball, Sea-Monkeys and more!

Posted on August 7, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Kenner SSP Racers. 1971. US.

Glow in the Dark Solar Ball. 1985. US.

Aurora Skittle Ball. Weird War Tales N°1. 1971.

Seamonkeys. 1977. US.

Space 1999 model kit by Centuri. 1976. US.

Doctor Who Records and Tapes. 1980. UK.

Sphere sci-fi books. 1989. UK.

Sizzlers Fat Track. 1971. US.

Aurora Powerslicks. 1971. US.

Fleer football cards. 1991. US.

Thanks for looking 🙂

Tintin, toy cars, bionics & a Bat horn!

Posted on May 20, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

New additions fresh from the scanner! Enjoy 🙂

Tintin L’affaire Tournasol. Enamel advert. Date unknown.

Tintin Adventure Club. 1986. Sweden.

Aurora AFX. 1973. US.

Matchbox Super 6. 1976. US.

Siku. 1986. Sweden.

Six Million Dollar Man. 1976. US.

Barbie Yellow Booklet. 1962. US.

Batman Bike Horn. 1977. US.

Captain America Turbo Motorcycle. 1985. Super-Jouet. France.

Télécran / Etch-a-Sketch. France.

Galaxy Rangers. 1988. UK.

Lego Space. 1979. Sweden.

Thanks for looking 🙂

Mutant Green Blob and the Green Machine

Posted on May 14, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Today’s post title sounds like a cool name for some 70s experimental psychedelic rock band. No. The Mutant Green Blob is one of those gunge/slime toys that were all the rage in the 1980s and 90s, and The Green Machine is a pretty cool-looking three wheel low rider child’s bike from 1976. OK Mutant, show us what you can do!

Hale’s Mutant Green Blob gunge toy. 1988. UK.

It’s the hottest ride in town…

The Green Machine by Marx Toys. 1976. US.

Thanks for looking 🙂

On a theme of flying

Posted on May 10, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Flying. adj. in the air, winged

Up, up, and away! Take to the air with TVTA as we present retro adverts and comic covers on a theme of flying! We promise you all our pilots are teetotal (mainly on Mondays and Wednesdays) and pride ourselves in our company motto what goes up must come down, eventually. Choose from our range of travel options: jet engine, propeller, elastic band launch, glued feathers on card, or why not go full-on space cadet! So, buckle up, grab a Hostess Twinkie, and familiarise yourself with our flight safety instructions (free parachute included).

FEATHERED MADNESS. “NOW, EVEN MORE GOJA!”

Swedish friends may have to help me with this translation. I think ‘goja’ means nonsense, silliness?

Mad Magazine Sweden. 1978.

MORE FEATHERED FANDOOGLERY!

I’ll have what the bird’s having please! Bird seed? Not just any bird seed, it’s Trill!

Trill bird food. 1981. Denmark.

FEATHERED FELONY! PIGEON WOMAN IS PIGEON PERSON!

I like this DC supervillain – Pigeon Woman/Person – and her evil plot to steal famous statues of North America aided by her pigeon army! Pigeons love nothing more than perching (and pooping) on statues, so it’s a brilliant evil plan! Plus, she gets to annoy historians and tourists. Pigeon Person’s costume has that washed-out, grey and black pigeon poop colour, augmented with a crimson red tunic. Her wings quite honestly are spectactular! But bad luck for Pigeon Person that Batman and Robin were ready to foil her plans with those crime-busting super snack allies – Hostess Cupcakes!

Hostess Cup Cakes. Batman and Robin in Birds of a Feather. 1977. US.

WAYS TO FLING YOUR FLYING THINGS!

A 1979 Mighty Marvel Flying Shield. Free when taking out subscriptions. Offer only available to true believers everywhere, but not valid on The Red Skull. No frisbee love for him then. You can almost hear the glee in the Captain’s voice as he tells us this!

Marvel Flying Shields. 1979. US.

MONOGRAM SPEEDEE-BILT. RUBBER-POWERED FLYERS

I have a ton of adverts for the famous Monogram brand, and this new one is an interesting addition: you assemble it, wind it up, then let it go. We all know products sometimes never live up to their advertising claims, but these Speedee-Bilts look fun.

Monogram SpeedeeBilt Flyers. 1977. US.

TAKE OFF ON A TRIP TO ENGLAND

Another Monogram ad, this time a sweepstakes competition to win a 1st prize trip to England at the Farnborough Air Show.

Monogram Wild Blue Yonder Sweepstakes. 1976. US.

FLYING ON AUTOMATIC

This Cox Sure Flyer had an automatic pilot switch as well as the traditional hand control method.

Cox Sure Flyers. 1976. US.

SKY HEROES

Traditional pull-back-and-launch-from-elastic band. Sky Heroes were made by the reputable Marx Toys company, so were probably good value for money.

Superman Sky Heroes. Marx toys. 1977. US.

SUPERGIRL. IN FLIGHT. SHE’S ARRIVED

Supergirl movie. UK. 1984.

THE DARKSIDE OF FLIGHT

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU! A truly awful outcome for that one time you make a routine parachute landing in enemy territory and discover your comrades are skeleton-dead!

Weird War Tales 44. 1976. US.

OR, AIRSHIPS AND ALIENS!

Weird War Tales 60. 1978. US.

ALPHA FLIGHT – EVIL IS HERE

Alpha Flight N°72. 1989. US.

THE WAR OF THE STARS

Handheld electronic game in which you fly a space vehicle around the galaxy and destroy stuff.

Guerre des Astres. 1983. France.

“THE MOST DEVASTATING KILLING MACHINE EVER BUILT…

… His job … steal it!”

Firefox (when web browser names were simply killer jets).

Firefox movie. France. 1982.

BLOOD-CURDLING VAMPIRE BAT

My favourite line from this 1973 ad: ‘So realistic, it even fools other bats’

Vampire Bat. 1973. US.

That’s all for now, vintage mates. Thank you for flying with TVTA 🙂

Latest ads, April luck, and Lando liked my reply!

Posted on April 19, 2019 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Happy Easter vintage mates! If you’re lucky enough not to be working over this holiday weekend then enjoy it to the max. Me, I’m working. Boo. But I do have Monday off (it’s my day off anyway – so actually it doesn’t really count).

April… Hm. An interesting month so far… I’m currently sitting on some potentially brilliant news. If it all turns out rosy I’ll be sure to let you know 🙂 If not, expect a succession of extremely ill-tempered, grumpy and sore posts. Without me giving anything away whatsoever, please wish me luck over these next couple of weeks or so!

In other interesting news…

Billy Dee Williams liked my reply!!

Billy Dee Williams Colt 45 ad. Image: The Baltimore Times.

Yes! I was strolling around Twitter at the beginning of the month, and happened to reply to a post from actor Mark Hamill about the general and all-round coolness of his fellow actor Billy Dee Williams (as you do – on Twitter). I included a pic of a vinyl album I have for the film Scott Joplin, in which BDW starred (as you do – on Twitter).

Well, fast forward a day and a bit, Billy Dee Williams only goes and likes my reply! I’ve been telling everyone since – “Hey, did you know Billy Dee Williams liked my reply on Twitter?”

Here are the screenshots which I accidentally on purpose intentionally didn’t mean to but did save to share here:

BillyDeeWilliamsLikedMyReply!BillyDeeWilliamsLikedMyReply!BillyDeeWilliamsLikedMyReply!

Star Trek uncut!

In a recent comic book and ad lot I picked up, I found this Star Trek The Next Generation uncut character card sheet. I have no idea what it’s meant for – trading card set, role-playing game, an unproduced test copy, a fan-made item?? Star Trek fans – do you know what this is for?

: Star Trek The Next Generation Uncut card sheet. Reverse.

: Star Trek The Next Generation uncut card sheet. Front.

Star Trek The Next Generation Uncut card sheet.

And now, we go to a quick commercial break

Monogram World of Outlaws. 1988.

Rotadraw. France.

Revell’s Power Lords vs. Mattel’s Masters of the Universe. Article. Starlog N°80 1984. An interesting battle but one which was surely won by Mattel?

Superhero merchandise from The Super Heros Company. France. 1970s.

Heroes World. US. 1977.

Back to our Easter break…

Looking for some activities this Easter?

Speelboom Club Journal Easter activities. Netherlands.

Warning!

Easter cuteness and adorable awesome overload!

That’s all for now vintage mates. Thanks for looking. And did I mention that Billy Dee Williams liked my reply on Twitter? 🙂

Beware of the shark!

Posted on December 17, 2018 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Ministry of Toys advice for parents and young children: 1, Do not put hands into mouth of shark. 2, Do not encourage shark into bathing area. 3, Do not take selfie with shark. 4, Do not pet shark. 5, Do not throw peanuts, fish, live monkeys or hamburgers at shark. Above all, treat with respect and remember you are the visitor in the world of shark.