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.

Jaws/Les Dents De Le Mer game. 1981. France

Alternate Version. 1981. France.

Sky Shark. 1990. US.

In other vintage news…

I have the power!

Masters of the Universe. 1986. Italy.

I have an awesome bed!

Barbie. 1986. Italy.

I have a cold hand…

Big Jim. Dr Steel. 1970s. France.

…But a warm heart!

Baby Face. 1990. US.

Just in!! Bionics, Joes, Jims, RPGs, cars, art, BMX

: Six Million Dollar Man. 1977. France.

: G.I. Joe. 1986. US.

: Marvel Superheroes Role Playing Game. 1988.

: Trik-Trak. 1965. Belgium.

: Plaster Casters. 1983. UK.

: Sketch Master. 1983. UK.

: Solido. 1960s. France.

: Miniamil. 1960s. France.

: Scalextric. 1970s. Belgium.

: Scalextric. 1970s. France.

: Big Jim. 1970s. France.

: Big Jim. 1970s. France.

: Darda Motor. 1981. US.

: Schwinn Predator BMX gear. 1983. US.

And lastly…

Remember – beware of the shark!

Petra / Lotte dolls. 1978. Denmark.

Cover for Télé Parade Mensuel N°6. 1978 featuring Jabberjaw and Scooby-Doo.

Thank you for observing sharks with us 🙂

The Ups and Downs of the Cat

Posted on August 8, 2018 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

“Wooof, please stop jumping up and down on top of the scanner,” I said to the office cat this morning. “Look what you’ve gone and done to our advert for ‘Splash Out’. I’m going to have to scan it again now!”

“It’s not me!” replied the cat. “It’s this new Yo-Yo I bought from the toy shop in town. It seems to have a mind all of its own!”

“Yo-Yo you say? That reminds me, I need to scan a couple of Yo-Yo adverts I found in the archives – if you’ve quite finished destroying the office equipment?”

“No worries,” said the cat. “I’ll go practice my Yo-Yo skills in the garden.”

“Not too close to the greenhouse though, eh?”

“Do you think I’m that daft?”

Later … Smash! Tinkle! Shatter! Meeeowwwlll!

1980s Coca-Cola and Fanta Yo-Yos by Russell

: Anders And & Co. Denmark. 1981.

: Pif Gadget. France. 1985.

In other Up and Down news…

R2-D2 defies gravity, C-3PO keeps his feet on the ground …

Illustration by David Kawami from The Star Wars Question and Answer Book about Space. 1979.

Q: What cool thing happens when you cross a video game icon with bubble gum and pocket money?

A: The Pac-Man Bubble Gum Money Box! (I so want one of these!)

Hamleys. UK. 1983.

Oops! Putting your foot in it …

Hamleys. UK. 1983.

Nadia and her gymnasium

Ets De Neuter. 1995. France.

Make friends … yes 🙂

Junior Sales Club. 1974

The Whizz Kids Guide, How To books

Star Wars Weekly. UK. 1979.

Big Jim, Big Josh, Big Jack, Dr. Acero

Congost catalogue. 1977. Spain.

Crashback – crushable and expandable vans on command!

More Fun From Kenner. US. 1997.

XRC by Tonka

More Fun From Kenner. US. 1997.

Here be dragons …

Hamleys. UK. 1983.

That’s all for now vintage mates. I’m off to buy new window panes for the TVTA greenhouse. Wooof’s off to Yo-Yo lessons for cats. See you soon 🙂

Latest ads: Big Jim, Mickey Mouse, Corgi, Dungeons & Dragons and Mini-Jeux

Posted on December 15, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

I always enjoy coming across the toy artwork ads by Ogilvy and Mather, the company responsible for Mattel’s Barbie, Big Jim and Hot Wheels adverts in France during the 70s and 80s. Here are two Big Jim adverts featuring the eponymous character himself along with fellow action figures Géronimo, Bloody Fox, Captain Flint and Captain Hook.

France. Castors Juniors. 1979.

Mickey Mouse Summer Holiday Reading

Suggested reading for the summer holidays – this bumper edition of Mickey Mouse featured fourteen complete stories and forty pages of games and jokes. Advert from Castors Juniors, 1979, France.

Superman Die Cast Vehicles by Corgi

British company Corgi has never been shy when it comes to producing toys based on Marvel Comics and DC Comics characters. Their Superman pocket-size die cast vehicles range were a big hit when I was a kid, and I remember having the truck, the police car and the helicopter. Advert from Weird War Tales, 1979, US.

Glow In The Dark Posters from Pineapple Kids Club

In 1985 Canadian-based company Pineapple Kids Club were offering some cool sci-fi themed glow in the dark posters, as well as the chance to get free glow in the dark shoe laces. Advert from The New Mutants, 1985, US.

Dungeons & Dragons

A “Dungeons & Dragons” black and white “Adventure” ad featuring the three heroes Valerius the Fighter, Grimslade the magic user, and Indel the elf. Advert from House of Mystery, 1981, US.

Mini-Jeux Pocket Games

Mini-Jeux pocket games were licensed by the Meccano company in France. In the UK they were known as Pocketeers. Advert from Castors Juniors, 1979, France.

Playmobil, Big Jim, La Bonne Aventure and Roco Trains

Posted on July 13, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

Five French toy adverts from the late 1970s and early 80s.

France. Le Journal de Mickey. 1982.

France. Pif Gadget. 1982.

France. Pif Gadget. 1979.

France. Pif Gadget. 1978.

Retro ads just in: Lego, Autobang, Big Jim and Raleigh Burner

Posted on March 18, 2016 by The Vintage Toy Advertiser

TVTA additions just in: two French comic strip style adverts showing Lego airport and middle-ages sets, an Italian ad for Autobang by Sebino toys, two Big Jim ads and a cool ad for the 1984 Raleigh Aero Burner BMX,