FROM THE ARCHIVE

Woodsy SWORD toys with Golden Astronauts, late 1990's

Scanned

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!

JAYCE AND THE WHEELED WARRIORS

Being a vintage VHS Video nut, with a particular penchant for old Sci-Fi and space animation, I was intrigued by this Jayce and The Wheeled Warriors tape [above]. Like Ulysses, another video cartoon I've never heard of but own, I've discovered that Ebay is full of Jayce toys! Loads of them like the one below [although this one doesn't appear to mention Jayce]. In fact it seems really quite popular so who on earth were Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors?

Thunderbirds Plastic Model Kits Catalog

Does anyone have this Japanese book? is there a SWORD section in it?

Ground Level

 Ah yes, its always fun to get out in the sun with a few toys. Trouble is sun has been a little thin on the ground lately, so its a case of dash out in between showers with camera and take a few quick snaps.

 Lacking Mike Bs enviable talent for creating dioramas, I tend to rely heavily on Photoshop and post production of raw images.

 Trouble is, taking the raw material for the blog posts can be problematic, depending on what I want to show. Taking photographs of toys indoors invariably leads to torrents of scorn and abuse from the wife and sometimes 'help' from my 10 year old son and ten year old labradors too.

 Once Ive got the material I need, its always fun to see what I can do with the photos.

 Besides that, its always good to leave adulthood behind for a few minutes and enjoy that pure sense of childhood fascination and play with the toys for a bit.

 I always say it feeds my creativity! Thinking out of the toybox!

 But it can be difficult sometimes to suspend disbelief and use everyday, reallife situations as backdrops for sci-fi dioramas - such as the garden patio or kitchen worktop!

BORDER CONTROL

The G.A.R.D.E.N FORCE assembled in preparation for a full-on sliming by the agents of S.L.U.G

[I'll post your 'toys outdoors' piccies too - just send them!]

FROM THE ARCHIVE

My spacex collection, late 1990's

Scanned at the time.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL: The Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset by Arto

Woodsy, [here's my] Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset! "Hand decorated by Artists", says the box. From the sweet 60's and made in Taiwan, and with Hong Kong box art. I just love these dioramas with little pieces of lunar surface, beautiful background decor, the space tank and the dynamic trio! Perhaps even better than being there!
Cheers

Arto