Bill's old loco diorama reminded me of a hardback book I got back at Christmas 1992, Toys of Our Generation by Robin Langley Sommer. Its an important book for me as it was the first vintage toy book I got just as my collecting 'bug' was biting after finding an SPV in a junk shop.
The book, covering toys from 1945 to the Seventies, is divided into neat chapters and this one is Wheels and Wings.
This is why Bill's train rang a bell, this beautiful Santa Fe loco pictured below. I always loved this page and in particular the nostalgic tone of the advertising for Lionel toy trains. "Grandfathers of America" is a great line!
The next page contains a black and white image I've admired for years.
This scene of pop and sons relaxing with their lay-out is so snug looking. The OHIO pendant, skates, rifle and winter jacket add to the feeling it must be freezing outside, whereas in here its toasty and fun. The V-neck jumpers and Dad's pipe is the final touch of domestic warmth. Is this what in America is called a den?
The book contains an informative chapter on space toys. This was the first explanation about them I'd ever read in a published book [next came Kitahara's book on robots and space toys]. There's some excellent action shots of kids and their Fifties/ Sixties toys.
The colour pages display robots, My Favourite Martian, Mr. Machine and Major Matt Mason.
More space toys include Lost in Space.....
and the dawn of the Seventies: Star Wars and Transformers among some vintage chums.
My first proper toy tome, anyone else got this book?
I love that big Lionel Santa Fe diesel. What is it with dads and trains and pipes? my dad did exactly that whenever the layout came out, perhaps its to provide steam effects to the locos!
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