Vintage Norfin Troll

I love vintage toy trolls, but am partial to the earliest ones dating from the 1960s. This large 9 inch troll is a bit more recent (1977) but she represents a big moment in troll evolution: the creation of the Norfin model by Dam, the originator of the vinyl toy troll. Norfins were a huge departure stylistically from the first toy trolls, with cuter, more child-like faces and less rigidly posed, sometimes even jointed, bodies. Norfins are still being manufactured today, but they are now made in China of cheap plastic with brash, synthetic hair. This early Norfin was made in Denmark by the Dam Company of high quality European vinyl with a gorgeous mohair wig. She's still wearing her original felt tunic and hair bow, and is in practically unplayed with condition. Even though Norfins aren't quite my style, this was a special one, and a steal at only $6 from a toy show vendor last week.

1960s Ideal Pebbles Doll

This 8 inch Baby Pebbles Doll, made by Ideal in the 1960s during the initial run of the Flintstones cartoon, was discovered in a booth full of junque at a toy show last weekend. Ideal made both Pebbles and Bamm Bamm dolls, in a huge range of sizes. This was the smallest version, and she is soooo cute!

 

 

Archer Space Men

Found at a toy show last weekend was this 4 inch 1950s Archer Space Man, in a great dark emerald green color. I already had 2 bronze ones I got years ago at a yard sale, and since then Archer Space Men have become a small obsession. I love their Art Moderne styling, their Communist Bloc civic statuary look, their "retro futuristic" feel. It's always a thrill to find another one.

 

 

Toy Show Report

Yesterday my sweetie and I went to a little toy show, one we've never been to before. Treasures were plentiful, prices were affordable, and we met lots of delightfully eccentric people. My favorite was a seller who wouldn't let any of his toys go home with buyers he found "unsuitable", and who kissed each of his toys before he finally let them go. (Thankfully, I was found worthy of the doll I wanted: after a lengthy sizing-up period, he said, "well, you look like you would give her a good home, so that's okay then.")  Treasures found included:

-2 fantastic vintage novelty valentines, which I am gleefully saving to post next year
-a 1950s Archer Space Man for only $5!
-a cute, cute, cute 1960s Ideal Baby Pebbles Doll (from the Flintstones) for $15
-a big 1970s Dam Norfin troll, with mohair wig, original outfit, and made in Denmark, for just $6!
-a circa 1906-1908 American teddy bear with an incredibly endearing expression (considerably more expensive than the foregoing items, but still an awesome deal)
-and something I've never seen before: an early 1900s tin "postcard projector": a metal box about the size of a breadbox, with a magnifying porthole lens on the back and a sliding door on the front. By inserting a postcard into the sliding door, closing it, and turning on the lightbulb inside, the image can be seen in magnified form. Strange!

Pictures to follow throughout this week!

Creepiest Valentine Ever?

From my collection of "Creepy Valentines", of which there are a surprising number historically speaking, comes my vote for Creepiest Valentine Ever: this German die-cut from the 1920s. 

These two little girls seem to be enjoying their pop-up Demon-in-a-Box for Valentine's Day... the only thing I can guess is that this is related to the Krampus, the Germanic black devil figure who accompanies St. Nicholas on his Christmas gift-giving route and acts as his "enforcer". If this is him, I've no idea what he's doing on a Valentine.

And on that note, I'll end this month's Valentine show & tell! 

Hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day, and if you didn't, well, 

at least no one sent you this.