Smith Miller Gulf L-Mack Private Label Tandem

Smith Miller Gasoline Tandem Truck

Smith Miller Gulf L-Mack Private Label Tandem Our Smith Miller represents an area we didn’t know well– private labels by the 1950’s maker.  We have a private label Gulf tandem truck to show from the original family. We expect there to be other labels out there and would like to reach out to our readers…

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Space Toys, Robots, and Rocket Collecting. Buying Robots and Space toys

Space Toys and Robot Toy History Toy styles mimic history and define generations.  Trains dominated the 1890’s, as railroads connected worldwide citizens.  Lighter than air travel enthralled the public and kids in the early 1900’s; toys copied life.  Cars defined the early 20th century.  War toys dominated minds in the 30’s and 40s; manufacturers marched…

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Yankee Toys Battelship Oregon Found

Long lost toys and forgotten toy companies excite us.  We love learning.  Rarely do we find toys that haven’t been mentioned before in our catalogs; or books; or auction records.  Seldomly do we unearth companies based in the US with a substantial toy lineup.   Here we found a grand slam– we found an electric…

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Animate Toys of NY- Tank Found

Have you heard of Animate Toys of New York?  We had not, but were lucky enough to get a tank and box come our way.  A collector shared with us a boxed example and we would like to share back. “Treat ‘Em Rough” that’s what they did to the Germans. is the headline…. 31 East…

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Tin Santa Toy, Early Crank Find

Our very early Santa toy find is a deep curiosity.  We need your help! The toy has English writing on it, but seems to have German Santa toy traits.  From what we can barely discern, it was marked on the square base “World Wide Delivery”.   The owner was a World War II vet and…

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Tin Toy and toys with thin metal aka Tin

Friends and I have an ongoing discussion on tin toys and metal toys.  What makes a tin toy?  Why are some metal toys pressed steel and yet others known as tin toys?  Aren’t they all the same and is there cross over in the toy terms? My latest line of thinking is this– Tin toys…

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Republic Toys Pressed Steel Truck

Etch in your mind yet another lesser known pressed steel toy company– Republic Toys of Dayton Ohio.   Our “Tool Products Company” didn’t leave a long lasting impression toy collectors (at least from our standpoint), but should have.  Our American toy maker tends to be bunched into “Dayton” Toys steel products. The Republic Tool Products…

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Buddy L Museum Review- Toy Appraisals

Buddy L Museum review and ratings– We just reviewed a truck toy valued at $5000 by the “Museum” on Ebay,  a public auction venue, during Christmas.  The appraisal was current.  The noted tow truck ultimately sold for $2500, and the appraisal seemed strong. Have you visited their museum in person?  It would be fun to…

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German Tin Train Mystery- Carette Toy?

German Gloria Tin Train Mystery  We have a mystery on our hands.  In fact we have a mystery that may be solved by looking at the hands; the hands of a small instruction sheet.  Help us please! The box and illustration appear to be from the late 19th century.  After speaking with other collectors, we feel…

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Buddy L Outdoor Railroad Train with Tender

Welcome to the world of Buddy L and the followed, but secretive world of outdoor trains.  This particular toy comes deserves a fresh photo shoot and a sharing of the detail, the steel, the beauty. The toy is either steel, or brass, or cast stainless, or chromed steel.  It is massive, heavy, and extremely well…

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