vintage toys

When people hear that I collect and am fascinated by old fragile bits of paper (officially called ‘ephemera,’ but most people don’t know it by that name), they invariably wonder why…

I’ll admit, ‘old paper’ may not be as stunning to display — at least in terms of traditional home decorating possibilities — as other collectibles, but for me, each and every piece (and if it’s a magazine or other publication, each and every article) is full of opportunities.

Vintage See 'em walk Dog Ad

There’s the opportunity to discover something, someone, some company, etc., that I’ve never heard of before. Like this little brochure or promotional insert for the See ‘em walk Dog.

At first glance, this vintage pull-toy dog is not recognizable by name, nor is he known by sight. But he does bring to mind the Fisher Price classic, Little Snoopy, and so is somehow familiar and nostalgic anyway. (You don’t have to be silly with sentimentality to not feel a pull at your heart thinking of the children who had once played with — and likely better named — this vintage  toy dog.)

Holding this piece of paper in my hands is like an invitation to explore; to research and learn more. So I do.

In this case, the invitation is clear; I have all the information I need to attend this research party:

• The Who: in this case, the maker, Noma Electric Corporation
• The Where: New York City
• The What: See ‘em Walk Dog, aka product number 756 (seriously, this company goes through the trouble of making this pull-toy dog far more adorable with walking dog legs instead of wheels etc., but they never name him?)
• The When: based on graphics, I’d say 1940’s, maybe 1950’s

Now I bet you’re asking, again, about the ‘why?’

But, like any explorer, I ask, “Why not?”

What can I learn from this toy?

Actually, quite a lot; here’s what Antique Toy Collectors has to say:

Noma is best know for their Christmas lights, receiving the patent in the1930’s. Due to material restrictions and utilizing their plant to produce war products, they were unable to make lights for a period of time during and immediately following WWII. Because of this and the need to keep their name in the public, Noma Electric manufactured a line of wood toys, including pull toys. Because of their wood construction, they were able to keep their name in the market and their toys became very popular.

After the war, NOMA returned to Christmas lights, but also continued to make wooden, plastic and metal toys. Some of their later toys were made with a wood composition material.

1940s Noma Christmas Lights Ad On Back Of Toy Brochure

So, not only do I now know why I didn’t recognize the Noma name (the company dates are listed as 1927-1971), but I can guess as to why the adorable pup was lacking an affectionate name; strings of lights and their bulbs are probably best identified by their model numbers, and the company probably figured if ambient lighting can sell that way, why not toys?

In any case, it is an interesting bit of information to add to the wartime homefront stories. Plus it is much more fun to have a more realistic image of the life of this toy and the boys and girls who played with him. And this is why I love ephemera, compulsively collect it; for the opportunities to learn.

Even ephemera regarding known and recognized companies, products, persons, etc., offers the opportunity to learn something new, to better see and feel the past.

And, in the very best scenario, by sharing what I’ve learned I might just delight someone by reminding them of their childhood pal. Based on the little-to-no appearances on eBay and other online sales outlets, it may not only have been a long time since they’ve seen their old pal (or his commercially produced litter-mate), but it may be quite a long time before they can find one to purchase. Or afford; Bargain John’s has one listed, with the box, for sale at $375. (While that’s nearly four times the value listed at Antique Toy Collectors, it is the only Noma walking dog I found for sale.)

…Maybe this sold slip of paper is all they could afford to get their hands on.  Though, as I found no other examples of ads for this toy, if I sold it, it wouldn’t be cheap.  (Sometimes these old ads sell for more than the toys.) In any case, I sure do hope someone is thrilled to see their old puppy pal again — or that folks enjoy meeting him.

And that’s why I love ephemera.

Vintage Noma Electric Co. Toy Advertisement

I’d never heard of it before, but Tiltin’ Milton tripped my trigger — a great name, screaming retro graphics, and a corny rhyming tagline:

Don’t Tilt Milton While He’s Snoozin’
I’ll Be Winnin’, You’ll Be Losin’

Tiltin' Milton Vintage Game Box

I didn’t care if the box has signs of water damage and too-securely (and paper-damagingly) taped shut to see if it had all the pieces. I’m an old school gaming girl; I love such adventures into unknown board game territory.

And I’m a cheap old broad too — who can pass up a 50 cent thrift store find? (Don’t hate me ‘cuz I’m lucky enough to score the nifty thrifty!)

Because this new edition of an old game is part of my “Old Games I Make People Play” collection, once home, the family was assembled to play. And we discovered this is a board-less vintage game.

1968 Tiltin' Milton Game by Ideal

The game instructions, including the list of pieces, are printed inside the game box lid; from there we learned that while our new old game was not complete, it could still be played well-enough. We have the large plastic “Milton,” his hammock, and the tree to place it on. Of the 10 “large objects,” we have 9; of the 10 “accessory objects,” we have 8 (one of the 8 is damaged, but as the eyeglasses just “sit” on the newspaper, it still works).

The object of this 2 or more person game is to place things on the large plastic Milton who sleeps in his precarious hammock — without tiltin’ Milton so much that he falls to the ground.

Trying Not To Do Too Much Tiltin' Of Milton

It is both as simple and as difficult as it sounds. Simple in that there’s not too much strategy involved other than how to best balance the game pieces; difficult because you are forced to follow the game rules and the laws of gravity.

Oops! Someone's Been Tiltin' Milton!

The first player chooses any “large” object on Milton by placing the peg of the object into one of holes in Milton’s body — and their turn ends. “Note: Players may hold Milton or the hammock, with one hand, when placing objects.”

The next person to play places the relevant “accessory” object, as shown inside the box lid (shown below), onto the “large” object and then also places another large object on Milton before their turn ends.

Tiltin Milton Game Piece "Object Pairing" Diagram

Play continues like that of the second player until Milton is tilted out of his hammock; the player who causes this event to occur is eliminated from the game. All objects are removed from Milton, and he is replaced in his hammock for play to begin again — minus the player who sent Milton tiltin’ too far — until only one player remains. That player is the winner.

Tiltin Milton Game By Ideal Toys

While this game was manufactured before makers printed suggested ages on the boxes, this 1969 Ideal Toy ad illustrates that the game was suggested for 5 year olds; call us five year olds, because we had a fun time, playing two games.

Close-Up Of Tiltin Milton Game In 1969 Ideal Toys Ad

It’s not my favorite game, but it’s certainly an easy to set-up and take down game with a short enough duration that allows you to squeeze in a quick game before dinner or bedtime. I’d actually like to get the missing pieces — however this game isn’t so easy to come by.

Tiltin’ Milton (No. 2352-3) is a big plastic board-less game which was produced by Ideal Toy Corporation in 1968 — part of Ideal’s 1960’s foray into games. In terms of collecting context, Ideal went into the manufacture of games in a big, elaborate way, making games that were more like toys with large 3-D plastic pieces that relied more on mechanical designs than traditional board game play. (I was unable to find out for certain, but it’s a fair bet that Marvin Glass was actually behind Titltin Milton.) These 3-D plastic board-less (or at least less board-based) games are iconic and even early games which didn’t fare so well at the time are rather popular with collectors.

While I won’t go so far as some sellers and say it’s “RARE” (in all caps yet!), the Tiltin Milton Game certainly isn’t über common. I presume this is because it was one of the few 3-D plastic-dominant games Ideal did not have much success with, so few games were made, let alone sold and valued enough to be saved. Despite eBay sellers listing the game from $50 to over $230, past sales of the game show of the two listed, only one sold — and that for $6.99. (But these prices are a snapshot of “today” and who knows what the future holds for Milton?)

In any case, it seems like it will be awhile before I find my missing pieces at an affordable price. So, if you should find yourself with a spare Tiltin’ Milton tree branch, eyeglasses, ice cubes, &/or sandwich…

Meanwhile, I continue to play without a full deck with a few missing pieces.

Playing Tiltin' Milton

I have this thing for old rubber squeaky toys… Ever since I bought one at a thrift store for about a buck & sold it on eBay for over $50, I find myself looking at them as more than inexpensive ways to get a toy for the terrier — but a way to pay for dog food & vet bills.

At any given time I have a modest collection of them, until time and charm runs out and I list them for sale somewhere. Then, a few weeks ago, at a nearby weekly (during the season) flea market, I spotted this vintage hobo squeaky toy of the thinner, latex, rubber variety.

Vintage Squeaky Toy Hobo

I was smitten. Not only because it was an old rubber toy that still squeaked, but because, thanks to my son, I now am charmed by hobos — with exposed toes, yet (oh, how I do love a rhyme!)

I looked at it, but the guy didn’t have his stuff marked, so I wandered around, feigning a lack of interest until I was sure that the vintage toy was all that I wanted… Keeping the price down. But hubby, aware of both my interest in vintage & retro rubber toys and my new romance with all things “hobo,” brought it over as his own discovery. A few minutes later, I paid the asking price of $4 or $5 and brought home “my hobo with exposed toe.”

I was going to just post a pic of him for one of my Cheap Thrills Thursday posts, so I performed the cursory Google search for the somewhat-bell-ringing maker name: Rempel Mfg. Inc., Akron, Ohio.

The first results were for Froggy the Gremlin (star of radio & childhood memorabilia collecting fame — which explains the faint recall of the Rempel name), and some other info on the Dietrich Gustav Rempel, aka the “Rubber Baron,” who started his Rempel company in 1946, marketing his Sunnyslope line of rubber animals. It is on that page that we learn that, “Rubber historians (a flexible bunch) credit Rempel with making innovations in steam and pressure and the use of steel molds.”

Interesting, but what about my hobo?

Vintage Rempel Mfg. Brookley Dodger's Bum

So I performed an image search and discovered that my hobo, © Fred G Reinert, is a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball “bum” named Ho Jo. HoJo is one of, apparently, several versions (who differ mainly by color and, I guess, name).

And I discover that Ho Jo, circa 1949, is worth some serious coin; he’s listed in various collectibles stores & auction sites from $145 – $300 and at sites that openly list sales results, has sold from $98 – $200.

Now, the only question for me is this: Do I continue my lucky sales streak and put him up for sale, or do I continue to make him my sentimental hobo with exposed toe?

Well, I guess we have the answer. After all, I’d better start putting money away for those kids; especially if they are planning to live the lives of hobos.

Whenever it comes time to write the old CQ column, hubby & I find ourselves wondering what to write about. Today I went to consult the wise oracle, the old Magic 8 Ball — but, being the old Magic 8 Ball, it was dried up and so there was no blue-black liquid to bounce a reply to me (not even a “reply hazy, try again”). Sure, hubby has a Simpsons Magic 8 Ball (not the talking one; the classic one, with a yellow top and red-ish bottom), but I don’t like, let alone trust, the Simpson’s. And he couldn’t find his CDW Tech Support ball — but even if he could have found it, it has 18 answers — none of which would help me at all.

Aghast, I could have turned to another of my vintage divination devices; but this would not rectify the problem of no Magic 8 Ball. And life is difficult enough without living sans Magic 8 Ball. So I need a replacement Magic 8 Ball. But in looking for one online, it’s easy to be distracted by all the other possibilities…

The Helpful Instant Excuse Ball

There are a plethora of licensed Magic 8 Balls, like Disney’s Hannah Man-Hand-a Montana Magic 8 Ball; there’s the Magic 8 Ball Date Ball (for the insecure &/or immature dater), the Instant Excuse Ball (certainly useful for women who still have not learned to say “no”), the Sarcastic Ball (for those who, perhaps without excuses who ended up doing too much and are now too tired to deliver their own snark), and Dr. Freud’s Therapy Ball (which, like any good therapist, never gives you answers, but makes you work to find your own).

But before I buy & collect such spheres of influence, I must get the original Magic 8 Ball. Not just because it’s the one I remember from my childhood, or even because it’s the iconic toy oracle, but because it’s always been right. Even today, unable to “play,” it performed well, instructing me to write about Magic 8 Balls. So here’s a little history on the retro classic.

Vintage Syco-Seer

According to Tim Walsh (in Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them), the Magic 8 Ball was invented by Albert C. Carter, son of a supposedly famous Cincinnati clairvoyant named Mary, and then Carter sold the patent to Abe Buchman. But this is all umm, hazy… As Walsh reports, there are many confusions due to similar names; read his book for the dizzying details. But in 1946, Carter’s “Miracle Home Fortune-Teller” was first produced by Alabe Crafts, Inc. (a novelty company formed by Max Levinson, Al Carter & Abe Bookman, with Alabe being derived from Carter & Bookman’s first names). Called the Syco-Seer, the 7 inch tall tube toy is the earliest version of the Magic 8 Ball. Next came the Syco-Slate.

At some point the tube became a ball and the oracles went from being made by Alabe Crafts to, at some time in the 1970’s, being manufactured by Tyco. In 1997, Mattel took over Tyco and therefore the rights to the Magic 8 Ball name and market. Since then, well, the outlook’s been great for the Magic 8 Ball.

Along with all the different themes, there’s been plenty of character licensing & movie tie-in items, including Magic 8 Ball mechanisms inside other shapes & figures, like the Empire Strikes Back Yoda (1980).

If you’re looking for a collectible that is easy to find year after year, the Magic 8 Ball has plenty of new incarnations, including ornaments, keyrings etc. And the long history of the fortune telling toy means there’s plenty of old versions & ephemera to collect as well as interesting themed items. Who knows where collecting will lead you? Old or new, Magic 8 Ball is sure to delight you. Without a doubt.

Vintage Alabe Syco-Slate

In one box lot of toys we bought recently there was a coffee can full of what most would only call junk. A bunch of game pieces, toy parts, and bits & bobs, apparently saved by someone who either repaired such things — or just knew that someone would come looking for “it”, so it had better be saved.

I myself admit to such a philosophy. I’m continually saving things, grabbing them with a hearty, “Somebody wants that!”

I sorted through a number of old wooden bingo number chips, the springs from ballpoint pens, numerous sized wheels for toy cars, whistles, wooden Tinker Toy parts, little green plastic trees, and all sorts of dusty & dirty wooden, plastic and metal things. (Surprisingly, only one doll part — and arm, reaching impotently for help out of the old can.)

I have to say that this vintage wooden checker piece with it’s plastic bug gave me a good pause — who can tell for certain there wouldn’t be real bugs in this coffee can?

Many would have tossed it, or given up part way through searching. But not me. I’m insane like that.

I looked at each & every piece in that coffee can of junk, like some might investigate a pirate trunk. Even though I can barely snap a Barbie leg or truck wheel back into place, I knew there would be cool things inside…

These are a few of the treasures I’ve decided that somebody must want.

(If you see something you want, let me know!)

#1 A vintage Cootie head, with eyes. (There were a few Cootie legs in the can too… Eventually, I will piece together a whole Cootie — maybe even an entire vintage Cootie game this way!)

#2 Two teeny-tiny “Indians”. (The prongs stick into horse sides, so they can ride.)

#3 A metal Playskool wrench. (That seriously could come in handy!)

#4 A scary old clown head. (All clowns are scary to me.) This one looks a lot like Reddy Kilowatt… He’s got a hole at the bottom to stick onto a neck — maybe it was a plastic lightening bolt body? Hubby says, “No.” But I’ll be keeping my eyes open, just in case.

#5 Four matching vintage metal helicopter blades. You only had three on this model, anyway… But we’ve got four. Makes me wonder if they had more than one boy who played with (and broke) helicopter toys.

#6 Plastic Rat Fink charm. Very small, but it’s him.

#7 A retro made in Hong Kong Dume Buggy. Not, that’s not a typo — at least not my typo; it says “Dume-Buggy” on the bottom black plastic part. I’m still giggling about a vehicle to ride sand dumes.

#8 Cowboy & Indians sliding puzzle game pieces. This has got to be one of my favorite finds. You know I love a good puzzle, but how challenging to find the missing pieces and put it all together!

#9 Vintage plastic tire — with built-in flat? I have no idea what sort of toy car or truck would have a flat tire… There are no markings to help with this either. (Nearly 2 inches in diameter, if that helps anyone identify the toy vehicle.)

#10 A weird Asian face. I have no idea… It’s not a complete head. On the back is a prong, like on Mr. Potato Head parts, to stick it into something — or someone… He does look like he is wincing. Less than one inch tall. Ideas?

#11 Vintage red & green plastic covered wagon pieces. There’s enough here to put the cover on the wagon, and the two tiny pieces seem of the same hard plastic and matching color, perhaps to drive the horses? Wagon is just over an inch long.

#12 Blue plastic spacemen pieces. We figure these three go together, but have no idea what game or toy set they belong too. The two standing spacemen are not identical, and stand a bit over one inche tall.

#13 A very small cameraman piece. Lots of detail & painting on such a small piece. Again, no idea what set or game this belongs to; do you? And do you want it?

Somebody must want this stuff… If you do, or know someone who does, let me know!

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