Thursday, 5 July 2012

Collecting Century 21

Being a Century 21 toy collector can be a tricky business. Should you try to collect everything? Should you stick to Century 21 and ignore JR21? Should you focus on vehicles, figures, pistols or a particular fleet of toys like SWORD? Decisions, decisions! For my own part, a few years ago, having completed my SWORD collection [except fpr the Nuke Ferry of course!] I decided to restrict my own collecting, due to a limited budget, to C21 / JR21 and JR plastic vehicles.


The problem with any collecting rule is that something always comes along to test your commitment! Above is one such thing, the Century 21 Topo Gigio Fireman Outfit Set currently gracing Ebay UK. A beautiful set and one that does not surface that often. I must admit I am sorely tempted especially as it's still only 99p! Several years ago I caved in and bought the C21 Topo Gigio Goalkeeper outfit, which I've since sold. But I'm going to be strong this time and keep my fingers off the bid button. Will you?

I mentioned JR toys earlier. These are the plastic novelty Hong Kong toys, which Jack Rosenthal made before his big break with JR21 and eventually C21. Despite not having that many at Moonbase, these particular little cuties I can't resist. My good friend and fellow collector Ferryman, who attends more toy fairs than a Kenner Boba Fett, recently spotted "a yellow plastic steamroller that was marked with the C21 Rosenthal diamond logo". I have tried an online search for said steamroller but to no avail. If you own a plastic yellow steamroller please can you check the base for the diamond JR [MR] monogram as pictured below and give me a bell. I need a picture of the toy and the box is poss Thanks!

1 comment:

  1. Just to prove my point, the C21 Topo Gigio Fireman set sold for £3.67! Now I'm torn. Should I have gone for it or was i right to leave well alone and stick to my guns? But, excuse the pun, not this gun! A cool £190 for the C21 Joe 90 Crackshot Set! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JOE-90-CRACKSHOT-TOY-SET-MOC-1968-UK-Gerry-Anderson-TV-Series-/160833696845?pt=UK_Toys_Creative_Educational_RL&hash=item25726f744d

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