I found this in my photo archive from years ago.
Its very interesting ... at least for me!
I have been collecting mini plastic Project SWORD vehicles for years and always wondered what packaging they came in.
Well it just maybe have been right under my nose all along.
Yes, these little plastic capsules!
It seems likely that the Japanese Yahoo seller photographed the little toys and the capsules because they are related.
Is it an assumption too far to think that the toys came out of the capsules?
But, some of the toys look too big!
What do you think?
Doubts aside, what are these capsules?
What are those little papers inside? They look like stamps!
What is this brand of capsule and toy? Anyone know?
Now that the lighting issue has been solved, let's get back to the ballgame.
ReplyDeleteAren't these balls from vending machines? And yes, the little papers are stamps indeed. Stamps like Magyar Posta (Hungary) were found in every cheapo stamp set in the 1970's. Must have been exotic in Japan though!
Ha ha, I laughed at your lighting comment Arto. I have deleted the unwelcome spammer! It is interesting about the stamps. I had lots of Magyar Posta stamps as a kid in my stamp folder. Maybe European stamps had worldwide appeal and popped up in Japan. I would love to see the SWORD toys inside one of those capsules with a stamp. It would sort of prove the origin of these small plastic toys.
DeleteI agree arto- have memories of buying these things from little vending machines at almost every seaside holiday resort I visited back in the 60/70`s. The machine was similar to the ones from which you would get gobstoppers or bubble gum balls - you place the coin in a slot at the front.turn the handle and the item dropped into the collection area at the base - or didn't! I seem to recall problems with these machines jamming a lot. Happy Xmas folks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat memories Mike! I recall getting gumballs too here in the UK. Veniding machines were ace and one of my face ones was getting a handful of sweet peanuts, a sort of nut covered in delicious coating. You got about 20 straight in your hand. Fab! Happy Xmas to you and yours too.
DeleteContemporary Japanese "Prize Balls" like these are called "Gashapon", after the omnomatopaic sound of the crank being turned and the capsule falling into the deleivery chute. The prize balls I remember as a child in the sixties were smaller and capsule shaped. I still have a series of wonderful scaled down war medals, some with cloth ribbons, that I remember buying for 6d a pop in square glass vending machines that used to stand outside shops like Tobacconists and Newsagents. The paper strips inside modern balls are usually an illustrated list of all the toys in a particular series.
ReplyDeleteI have a modern Gashapon machine and a full set of Star Wars "Hanging" characters. -Would you like to see a pic?
Gashapon, thanks Lewis. Great info. I suppose a modern offshoot is Kinder egg toys and similar ferrero surprises. Yes, send us a pic of your Gashapon machine and Star wars characters! Thanks!
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