I don't know about any of you, but it's been a long, long time since I've found any 1950's or 1960's tin toys at a yard or rummage sale. It seems that EVERYONE now knows how valuable the things are, and owners are holding out for top dollar. So what's a body to do? BUY PLASTIC!

While all our attention has been on those (once) cheap metal wind-up toys with the colorful graphics, there's been a wave building in the collecting of those old, cheap, "flashy" plastic toys from our childhoods. (Note to my younger brother: Aren't you sorry now that you broke all your stuff?!?)

Yes, I would certainly contribute to a rummage sale by purchasing, for a dollar or two, a 1966 Batman JLA Yellow Computer Console by Ideal, since a broken one recently sold for $177.50! http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=575995889. Or a Batman Adult-Size Cowl like the one that sold for $89.99! http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=578592127.

I would be a fool to pass up any Renwal dollhouse furniture sets when one like the Jolly Twins Nursery Set recently sold for $261.99! http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1227687999. Actually, I'd be a fool to pass up ANY Renwal pieces since they're all in demand!

And it would bring a tear to my eye should I ever spy a 1963 Remco "Big Caesar" Warship at a yard sale. Why? Because one recently sold on eBay for $1,275!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=576716521.

Remember: I'm discussing simple plastic items that originally sold for just a few dollars! Yes, PLASTIC is IN! So, to those of you who've passed up those piles of toys at yard sales: Bet you're sorry now!

For more information, I recommend the following sites:
1) The Big Red ToyBox http://www.bigredtoybox.com Toy encyclopedia. Lots of info, links, boards.
2) House of Toys http://www.houseoftoys.com Trivia, histories, links
3) Yesterdaystoys http://www.yesterdaystoys.com Toy mall. Has great photos for identifying Renwal pieces.
4) ~http://members.tripod.com/~LindaDahl/ideal.html Ideal trademark dates

Recommended books:
1) Plastic Toys: Dimestore Dreams of the 40s & 50s by Bill Hanlon, David Belda (Photographer), Bill Harlon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/088740460X/auction bytescom bytescom

2) Schroeders Collectible Toys: Antique to Modern Price Guide (Schroeder's Collectible Toys, 7th Ed.) by Sharon Huxford(Editor), Bob Huxford(Editor) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1574322052/auctionbytescom

3) Cartoon & Character Toys of the 50s, 60s & 70s, (Plastic & Vinyl) Paperback - 208 pages 1 edition (June 1995) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0895380749/auctionbytescom