Iggynormous Troll

Too bad I didn't have this guy in time for my Troll Blog-a-thon back in March: he is definitely the highlight of my collection. Made by Thomas Dam in Denmark at the height of the 1964 craze, this was one of the biggest trolls available. Standing a formidable 12 inches tall, he dwarfs his standard-sized 3 inch companion. These huge trolls were named "Iggynormous" and came in a wide variety of hair, eye, and clothing colors. This one is in minty condition and still bears his original ribbon and tag.

People who already dislike the trolls tend to be especially disturbed by Iggy. The impact seems to be intensified by the size. My friend Ron took one look at him, stopped short, pointed at Iggy accusingly and said, "THAT is really terrifying." I actually had to put him (Iggy, not Ron) away for awhile.

Losing Our Heads Dexterity Puzzles

Here are a few of my latest dexterity puzzle games. From Japan circa the 1930s, they're tiny (only about 2 inches tall) and fragile (made of cardboard with a thin plastic covering). They're also a bit ghoulish: each of the three rather comical characters have literally lost their heads, and it's up to the player to shake them back into place. 

Decapitated.

Un-decapitated.

1966 Batman Button

After finding this vintage 1966 button, guess who is now a 

Charter Member of the Batman & Robin Society?

I wear it proudly every day.

As an aside: I've often thought that Adam West's Batman 

would be the best 

President of the United States ever. 

Don't you think so, too?

1914 Oyster Eating Contest Award Badge

I found this old award badge at an antique mall last month, and have puzzled over it since. It's one of the oddest items I've ever found. Made of die-cut leather, it measures about 5 inches in diameter. There's a small damaged area at the top where I think a ribbon and pin may have originally been attached so that it could be worn.
The text reads: "Presented to Bob Frey   Champion Oyster Eater   Capacity 982 Oysters   Galveston Texas  Oct. 31, 1914". Near as I could tell (thanks to some rather lazy googling) the current world oyster eating record is "only" about 420...so old Bob must really have been something special.

 

Antique Bisque & Compostion Character Baby Doll by Hertel Schwab

Antique teddy bears are my real passion, but every once in awhile I find a doll that appeals to me. That was putting it mildly with this guy, spotted at an antique show yesterday. A bisque headed character baby on a composition body,  he was made in Germany by Hertel Schwab around 1910-1912.  He has blue glass sleep eyes, his original soft mohair wig, and an antique doll's christening gown and cap. He measures about 8 1/2 inches tall in his sitting position, and I thought the tiny Schuco bear was the perfect companion for him.

This close up reveals the beauty of his face sculpt and painting. He even has a little dimple in his chin...