I have a theory about Car Boot Sales. Blindingly obvious but a theory nevertheless. The toys people sell, by that I mean normal family stall holders, are the ones they bought for their kids and when they've outgrown them they go to the sale. So, basically what we see at any time is a snapshot of the toys kids played with in the recent past. I'd go as far to say that what we see is never much older than 10 years, 15 at the most. Obviously there are exceptions.
This would explain why, for instance, there are no more He-Man, Ghostbusters or Thundercats toys at Boot Sales. When I started buying at them in the early 1990's family stalls where choc-ful of Ecto 1's, Slimers, Mum Ra's and Battle Cat to name but a few. Nearly every other stall had a Ghostbusters House stood on the table. They've all gone.
Based on this theory, just imagine what was on offer at flea markets and table-top sales back in the early 1970's! Space toy heaven!
I told you it was blindingly obvious! What do you think?
Completely agree.
ReplyDeleteI remember jumble sales in the early-mid 1960s, where 1950s Annuals and toys were to be found.
Exactly...the toys of the time are plentiful, then gone before you know it. The elementary school I attended would have "White Elephant Sales" here in the 1970's. Where everybody would bring their wares to the gymnasium. Prices geared more to re-distributing than profit.
ReplyDeleteI remember buying more than I could carry in the form of 3 HUGE Marx Johnny West animals (horse, dog and the massive Buffalo) for whatever I had in my pocket (probably 50 cents).