O is for Odds & Sods

Probably had that title before, but the hours draw on, and I want to get this up before I go to bed, for an early start, as it's the London Toy Soldier show in a few hours, and a T is for Two would be a bit over the top for a couple of shelfies, so I added a window bag!

Out looking for Chocolate rabbits (ongoing bit of Easter fun) I also found a couple of bits worth a shelfie, these were nearly purchased, however I managed to stop myself, but they will turn-up in mixed lots in the future, so worth a shot for the archive. The history of Ideal's logo over the last few years is very complicated, but here in the UK, I think these are actually Hasbro sell-through.

 

But the two Gormiti character figures are non-articulated solids, around 54mm, albeit sort of sci-fi-fantasy. They were for sale in the Poundland rival, Poundstretcher, and at about 4 & 6-quid, quite affordable, the other figures, were printed-sticker flats though.

While this I shot, again for the fact that the horses will turn-up in odd lots, not because we've been looking at show-jumping, which was coincidental, and there were only four crude horses in the truck, no figures or jumps that I could see.

 

Those horses, I think they may be hollow polyethylene, like some of the BJ Toys or Red Deer stuff, but it wasn't clear and they may well be solids? Branded to Toy Hub and RMS International, they are also around 50/54mm compatible, the truck however, is instantly forgettable.

This was a purchase, the other day somewhere, I can't remember where, but coming after the Schleich blind-bags (I saw in Smyths), and the apparent ex-blind-bag dinosaur I got as clearance somewhere, also 'the other day', it seems they are now using window-bags, so you can see what you're getting, a far more civilised way of doing things.

 

But back to the show tomorrow, Central London/Camden, so plenty of touristy stuff to do before or after the toy-soldier buying, including Camden Market and the Lock! Details are here;

 

http://www.toysoldiershow.co.uk/index.php?CONTENT=23

H is for How They Come In - Week 18 - 4 Sci-fi, Fantasy and TV/Movie-related

We'll start with the Robots in deference to the recent passing of Florian Schneider (we are not the Robots, but you were!) and because I listed Sci-fi first!

They are in many respects (colour, plastic type, sculpting style etc . . .) similar to the Arco Robots, but are clearly NOT the Arco Robots! They have a cavity in their backs which has what appears to be a mounting spigot for something, but no 'somethings' came with them, which in a sample of such numbers you'd expect; if only one, so it may have something to do with the way they were sold, a secondary function (attached to a bigger 'thing' or part of the production process?

Also, as is always the case with these autograndizedmecha's I have no idea if they represent any known license, or which set of characters they might be if they do?

 

Now known to be Bi-Tron rack-toys, issued by Pikit in the UK and probably Gordy International in the USA, they come with a 'space' helicopter/lifting body thing and various micro-armour multi-wheeled AFV's, who's turrets probably go in the holes on the backs of the Mecha's/giant battle-suits, there's also an articulated recovery platform which seems to be lifted from Takara-Tomy's Votom range, seen here at Small Scale World passim.

These are the best! Believe it or not, they are bendies! I have a small bendy bear which I thought was as small as they could get, but these are teeny-tiny bendy! All given three blobs of black paint they cover quite a range with another autograndizedmecha, a more conventional R2BenD robot microwave and home-entertainment system, and a clown! Bargain! Absolute, total, bloody-bargain!

This is interesting; it appears to be a modern dense polyethylene/polypropylene re-issue of one of the old Post cereal-premium bird-men, themselves downsized from the Lido captain video figures we've looked at before?

Given the way old novelty and premium moulds seem to have migrated to South- or Spanish America over the years, I'm guessing it's from there, but it could be French . . . maybe, or a China-made gum-ball machine capsule-prize? Lovely thing to receive in the post, for free!

More conventional territory here, with two bug-eyed 'Martians' and a couple of astronauts, the three to the left being Matchbox Mega-Rigs, the chap to the right being the unknown, like Wing Mau but smaller chap we've seen before, he differs from that example in having a numeral '1' on his base suggesting cavity codes, not pose numbers?

I first sorted this into the animal pile as a nice-looking humming-bird, but a closer look revealed saddlery! When I raised it with Chris, he managed to find some on feeBay and ten minutes later we had this link and the knowledge that they were McDonald's 'Happy Meal' premiums for Epic.

Seems to have been a good film, but swallowed-up by a couple of other blockbusters that summer (2013) and rather forgotten, I'd never heard of it; but I'm gonna' find it on DVD!

Three bits of fun; a Crater Critter from R&L, a gum-ball lion with charm/key-ring loop, I had a loopless one, so that's a useful upgrade and a flocked rabbit, blowing a raspberry, who can stand-up or up-stand! I love this stuff!

A mix of  . . . probably . . . Pokemon and/or Gormiti and/or Exogini and/or Ben10 &etc? It's impossible to follow all these with everything else going on, but there are plenty of sites carrying the information/data, for when it does all need to be sorted for 'proper'! Obviously; a robot dog with a kukri for a tail . . . IS a bit special!

Again, thanks to Chris for all we've seen in the last four posts, there is one item to come in a separate post, but there was plenty more than we've seen just-now, and it will all be sorted away and come back as full sets or in thematic posts months or even years from now as the Blog's still only a few % into the total of 'all-everything' figural!

News, Views Etc . . . Saturday 27th April - Friday 3rd May 2019

No blurb today, no pack drill . . .

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Toy Fairs

Reminder - Today - Friday 26th April 2019

Alfreton - Toy and Train Fairs (Malcolm Townsend) - Evening Fair

The Leisure Centre, Church Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BD

Web. - www.tttf.co.uk

Mob. - 07951 072 790

19:00 - 21:00hrs

Admission charge unknown

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Saturday 27th April 2019

Beconsfield - Toy & Train Fairs (Peter Levinson)

Beconsfield School, Wattleton Road, Buckinghamshire, HP9 1SJ

Internet presence unknown

Tel. - 01282 051 518 (Peter or Diane)

10:30 - 14:30hrs

Admission charge unknown

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Sunday 28th April 2019

Ashington - David Parsons - Toy & Train Collectors Fair

Ashington Community Centre, Foster Lane, Ashington, West Sussex, RH20 3PG

eMail - modelcarmart@gmail.com

Tel. - 01424 846 676 (Pete)

Mob. - 07742 609 865 (David)

10:00 - 14:00hrs

 Adults £1.50, concessions £1

Carmarthen - Chris Dyer Fairs

Carmathen Leisure Centre, Llansteffan Road, Johntown, Carmarthen, Wales, SA31 3NQ

Web. - www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk

Tel. - 01643 702 757

Mob. - 07966 694 579

10:30 - 15:00hrs

Admission £2

Chester-le-Street - Jim Corr Fairs

Lord Lawson Academy, Birtly Lane, Birtly, DH3 2LF

eMail - jim_corr73@hotmail.co.uk

Mob. - 07504 035 955

10:00 - 15:00hrs

Admission £3, children/senior citizens £2, 'Early Bird' £5

Colchester - SRP Toy Fairs

Langham Community Centre, School Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5PA

Web. - http://srptoyfairs1.co.uk/

eMail - srptoys1@hotmail.co.uk

Mob. - 07739 998 012 (Paula or Gerry)

10:00 - 14:00hrs

Admission unknown

Exeter - Bulldog Fairs - 'Westpoint'

Westpoint Arena, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ

Web. - www.bulldogfairs.com

eMail - bulldogfairs@aol.com

Tel. - 01373 452 857

Mob. - 07917 125 641

10:30 - 14:30hrs

Admission £4, each under-16 free with adult, 'Early Bird' £10 from 08:30hrs

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Tuesday 30th April 2019

Garstang - Janet Pearson - Garstang Evening Fair

Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall, PR3 0HR

Web-presence unknown

01282 439 009

18:00 - Finnish

Admission fee unknown

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Auctions

Monday 29th April 2019

Lewis - Wallis and Wallis

West Street Galleries, Lewis, Sussex, BN7 2NJ

Web. - wallisandwallis.co.uk

eMail - toys@wallisandwallis.co.uk

Tel. - 01273 480 208

Fax. - 01273 476 562

Antique Playthings & Toy Soldier Sale

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Tuesday 30th April 2019

The following Star Wars Prototype Resin Master Tooling Aids will be offered for sale as part of the Vectis TV and Film related auction on 30 April, 2019.

• Logray
• Emperors Royal Guard
• Bib Fortuna

https://www.vectis.co.uk/star-wars-prototype-resin-master-tooling-aids-30th-april-tv-and-film-related-sale

Stockton-on-Tees - Vectis Auctions

Fleck Way, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9JZ

Web. - www.vectis.co.uk

eMail - admin@vectis.co.uk

01642 750 616

Star Wars and Other TV and Movie Memorabilia sale

"The TV & Film related sale to be held on the 30th of April starts at the earlier time of 10am to ensure there is enough time to complete over 700 lots.

The sale features predominantly Star Wars lots, including carded, loose and boxed figures - including Graded figures; accessories, playsets, posters, jigsaws and comics. Lots include a large selection of Tri-logo carded figures, Ewoks and Droid series', Black Series, vintage Micro Collection and a fantastic collection of prototype resin master tooling aids.

Other items in the sale include Action Man and Tommy Gun, Dr Who, Masters of the Universe, Games Workshop, Electronic games and Lego.

There is also a fantastic collection of framed autographs from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Elvis, The Jam, Madonna, Christopher Lee, Monty Python and James Bond related, in The North West Autographed Memorabilia Collection."

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Other Events

Saturday 27th-Sunday 28th April 2019

York - Discover Vintage Ltd. - Festival of Vintage (FOV)

York Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Knavesmire Road, York, Yorkshire, YO23 1EX

Web. - www.festivalofvintage.co.uk

Cars, dancing, music, stalls and style from the 1930's to the 1960's

Saturday 27th April 2019

Basingstoke - British car Auctions - BCA Thornycroft Day

Brookvale Village Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 7RP

eMail - thornycroft@brookvale.org.uk

Tel. (1) - 01256 324 313

Tel. (2) - 01256 352 852

12:00 - 16:00hrs

Fundraiser and vintage transport

Model railways, kid's stuff, refreshments (a 'Mighty Antar' or two?)

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If you are an event promoter/show curator/auctioneer and you want your toy, model, collectable or popular-/youth-culture type sale/exhibition/event listed here -  FOR FREE  - or linked to; please eMail me -

maverickatlarge[at]hotmail[dot]com

- stating the date/s of the event, address of event, contact details, opening/viewing times, admission pricing and any other relevant facts/details or features - parking, travel notes, disability access, availability of refreshments, event subject matter &etc.

And please mention any flyer-art or poster-/leaflet-scans but send by separate eMail, in case they go to the 'junk' folder, from where they can be recovered and marked safe, but only if I know they're there!

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H is for How They Come In

Funny little bunch this week, I'm guessing rocket is Carlton, possibly a 'companion' with a larger action-figure? A Character Options sailor, an unknown cartoony F1 driver, another 'unknown' (blind bag?), called 'Maniac' and a Giochi Preziosi 'Gormiti' to add to their tub! I also picked up another board game today (Thurs.), but given other things it can wait.

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Skeletal Chinasaurs

These have been building-up in the WTF zone, a couple from Charity Shop lots, the rest from Jim and/or Chris and/or Peter Evans (thanks' chaps). Really only useful if 1) you collect unrealistic dinosaur skeletons (guilty as charged M'lud!), or 2) need a natural history museum ruin in your diorama (you never know - spares box!), or 3) are building a killer skeleton/undead army (oh yes!) . . . so actually, pretty useful really!

Three glow in the dark, two weathered wash and probably four sources? We may have seen one here in a Poundland purchase about nine-years ago?

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News Bites

Legoland - That new Lego amusement-park ride announced (here) a couple of weeks ago failed on its opening day and had to be closed 'due to technical issues'!

Brwreakshit - Which; the UK consumer affairs organisation warned that dangerous toys 'could flood into the UK' after Brexit, one hopes that it's over emphasising the risk, but it was one of the risks mooted three-years ago, the announcement was part of a urging of the Government to keep open the European 'safety gate'.

Murder - speaking of Brwreakshit and the steady rise in violent and hate crime over the last three years - Danny Bostock (33) has been jailed for life, after killing a fellow coin-collector for a Peter Rabbit 50p. Having stabbed the owner - Gordon McGhee -14 times he tried to destroy the crime scene with a gas explosion, risking the lives of neighbours; he won't be from the 'hard left' Mr. O'Connell?

Tom Karen - Czechoslovakian-born designer of the Raleigh 'Chopper' and Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder as head of the Ogle design studio, recently collected an OBE and said he was saddened by the modern toy industry.

Nintendo - Have announced two new gaming consoles - that'll mean more toys! The new models are budget and enhanced versions of their existing Switch console.

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Spare a thought for an old soldier (Military Cross, bar and cluster - not many of them around), he's currently fighting his last battle and it doesn't seem to be going terribly well, but knowing him as I do, I suspect it might all be part of his cunning plan to cheat The Ferryman out of a fare; it won't work, of course, but it's a good last wheeze and won't cost him an extra minute in either realm...

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