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The DASH Collector: Action Figures Online Application
Have you ever wanted a place where you can meet other collectors, share pics of your collection, see pics of other peoples' collection, safely buy, sell and trade figures and simply immerse yourself in an all-encompassing action figure collecting world? Well, the DASH Collector: Action Figures online application may just be what the action figure collecting world has been dreaming of for years. It's part social network, part action figure database (with literally thousands of pictures), and part personal collection manager. When I first took a look at the online application (called this because it's quite a bit more than just another website or forum), I was stunned at how many areas it covered. I've been looking for something like this for years! According to their home page, they offer the following features:
I signed up for the free membership registration this past weekend and played around with it for a couple of days, and am now fully prepared to go with the pro account, which I will be giving a thorough test drive, after which you can expect a fully-detailed review. As it stands now, I'm completely impressed, but I urge you to swing by and check it out for yourselves. We could be witnessing the start of something huge in the action figure community. And I, for one, am ready to dive in!
Give the DASH Collector: Action Figures application a spin by registering at www.collector-actionfigures.com.
The DASH Collector: Action Figures Online Application originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 19:33:49.
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365 Days of Stormtroopers!
In yet another addition into the category of "awesomely fun things you can do with your action figures," an action figure fan, Stormtrooper lover and picture-taking manic known only as Stéfan has begun a brilliant daily post of 365 days of Stormtrooper action figures (specifically, TK455 and TK479, that's their names) doing all sorts of funny things, from staring down a sleeping cat to hanging out in birdhouses to enjoying a few grapes. Many people have done the 365 picture thing on Flickr, but this one is right up our alley. Being both a died-in-the-wool Star Wars geek and full blown action figure junkie, I became absolutely enraptured in looking at all of Stéfan's photos of those hapless Empire thugs just doing their thing when they're off the clock after a hard day's work of looking for stolen Death Star plans on Tatooine. At the risk of looking like a total rip-off artist, I'd love to try something similar, perhaps with my crew of Snake Eyes figures or something. In fact, I'd love to see this become a thing, where people choose their favorite action figures and take daily shots of them doing whatever. Who knows, Stéfan may have invented a meme! Well, a meme within a meme, I suppose. Still, whether or not I chose to shamelessly ripoff this guy's idea, I'll have to always note that this guy has set the standard in seriously charming action figure shots. To see all the great pics (only 215 so far, as he started the project in April), just visit Stéfan's Flickr page and heap him with praise, and perhaps even be a little inspired. Now, where are those Snake Eyes figures and my camera? 365 Days of Stormtroopers! originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 19:33:52.
Sneak Peek of the Sideshow Cobra Sniper
Do you need a 12" tall badguy to take long distance pot-shots at your G.I. Joe troops? Well, thanks to the wizards at Sideshow Collectibles, you can now get your mitts on one seriously beautiful long-range killer with their release of the 12" Cobra Sniper figure. Picture of this incredible figure were released by Sideshow earlier this week and have been popping up all over the action figure forums and blogs, and I can honestly tell you that the folks at Sideshow have outdone themselves again. of course, I have a soft spot in my heart for all things G.I. Joe, so it stands to reason that I would want to keep this figure in my sights (ha ha). Here are the stats on the figure according to Sideshow themselves (via Toy News International): The Cobra Sniper 12 inch Figure features: Product Backstory Just as the venom of a cobra contains neurotoxins that are capable of killing a human with a single bite, Cobra Snipers are deadly with a single shot. One of the vilest individuals on earth, COBRA Commander rarely, if ever, negotiates his demands. Instead, he uses his elite unit of snipers to demonstrate the consequences of non-compliance. From concealed positions, COBRA Snipers take care of those unwilling to give in to COBRA Commander's demands or are simply in the way of a larger agenda. In addition to their extensive infantry training and natural born marksmanship capabilities, COBRA Snipers are specialists in camouflage, infiltration, observation and reconnaissance techniques. Employing these abilities, COBRA dispatches snipers across the globe to remind the nations of the world that their most important personnel are always within reach of COBRA's fangs. Time and time again, G.I. JOE has had to deal with COBRA Snipers on the battlefield. Above being an added annoyance and source of frustration, COBRA Snipers have hit their marks more times than the Joe's are willing to admit. While respected for their abilities, their cold-blooded selection of targets incenses many of the Joes and at the same time filling COBRA Commander's heart with delight. They have no remorse and the psychological training they received from COBRA has removed any trace of conscience that may have previously affected their loyalties. These individuals are simply an extension of the venom coursing in COBRA Commander's veins... COBRA! For more information and a ton of cool pics, visit Toy News International, or pre-order your figure now at Sideshow Collectibles. Sneak Peek of the Sideshow Cobra Sniper originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 19:48:31.
Halo Series 6 Figures Hitting Stores Now
I was never a huge fan of the Halo game, having only played it once at a friends hose, but I completely understand the appeal. And after reviewing the Halo Wars Mega Bloks sets, I have developed a somewhat deeper appreciation for how awesome the vehicles and characters are, and pretty much owe my slowly developing interest in the franchise to the Mega Bloks sets, so much so that I found myself getting a little excited over seeing the latest Halo action figures from McFarlane Toys on the shelves of my local Toys R Us. Now that I know the difference between a Covenant Grunt and a Master Chief, I find myself being tempted to dive deeper into the world of Halo, and the new figures from McFarlane aren't helping me fight off a bad case of the "gotta haves." Now, I know I've griped about McFarlane toys in the past, with their usual lack of articulation and whatnot, but these Halo figures look different, as if the House of Spawn has finally given in to the demands of the fans and are finally producing some figures you can pose and, dare I say it, play with.
Whether I pick up any of these figures is still up in the air. I need another line of action figures to collect like I need and angry little gnome hitting my knee-caps with a hammer (okay, not my best analogy), but they are certainly tempting. Be assured that if I do pick some up, full reviews will follow. Until then, you can take a closer look at Spawn.com. Halo Series 6 Figures Hitting Stores Now originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 18:16:49.
Hey Mattycollector, the Natives are Getting Restless...
Wow. I have not seen this kind of backlash since Marvel Comics killed off Aunt May, referring to the drove of smack-talking, calling out and overall rolling thunder grumblings of collectors all over the globe at Mattel's handling of various issues in the action figure collecting world, from impossible to find DCUC exclusive waves to the bumbling manner in which Matty has been dealing with their online-only Masters of the Universe Classics orders and subscriptions. Part of me feels bad for them. I know that Matty is trying their best to do something a little different and to treat their adult collector demographic better than the usual toy companies, but it seems like everything just flies back and hits them in the face and they can do nothing right. I've been keeping an eye on their Facebook page and it seems like it has recently turned into a meeting place for ranting, dissatisfied collectors lashing out at the toy company. Yikes! I've also been keeping my ear to the ground at various action figure message boards and the words used to describe Mattel's practices there cannot be repeated here. Things are getting ugly out there, Matty. So, heads up. Considering the sheer anger witnessed in the backlash, you'd think Mattel came out and admitted that they were actually devil worshipers and ate babies or something. I'll be the first to admit that Mattel's practices of late have been less than ideal, as I sit here looking at my MOTU Classics-free shelves (ARGH!), but we all have to take a minute and breathe. I mean, these are just action figures, people! Of course, I'd be able to take up that mantra a little easier if I could just find a stupid DCUC Wave 10 Batman! Double-ARGH! For an interesting inside looks at the Matty madness, enjoy this post from action figure aficionado Poe Ghostal as he records his odd dealings with Matty's customer service. It's not pretty. After reading it, I'm kind of glad I didn't go for the MOTU Classics subscription. But only kind of. Hey Mattycollector, the Natives are Getting Restless... originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 18:16:47.
DCUC Wave 12 Specte Glow-in-the-Dark Variant!
News is spreading around the various action figure forums and blogs about Mattel's announcement that the next DCUC Wave 12 assortment, which you can get a sneak preview of right here), will include two variant figures; a white-costume Mary Batson figure and a glow-in-the-dark Spectre variant, the latter of which I am personally about to lose my my mind over, as I, like many toy collectors, am a total sucker for anything that glows in the dark. According to Toy News International, where you can see pics of the figures, the variants will be released as chase figures at a 50/50 ratio to the regular figures, which are better odds than a lot of chase figures. The whole variant figure thing is viewed as either great news or horrible news to collectors, depending on who you talk to. There are those who simply love the thrill of hunting down these figures, but their rarity usually causes these figures to get snatched up by "neckbeards" who scalp them on eBay at much higher prices. Still, for those lucky few who beat the scalpers to the stores and find one of these variants, the thrill can be epic. I'm going to go ahead and make a prediction that the Mary Batson variant will do well, but it will be the glow-in-dark Spectre figures that collectors will be clawing over each other to get their hands on. And I may just be in the middle of the scrum, clawing with the best of them, crushing neckbeards under my feet! DCUC Wave 12 Specte Glow-in-the-Dark Variant! originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 18:16:41.
The 9 Greatest Re-Used Action Figures from Topless Robot
Toy companies are reknowned for cutting corners here and there in order to save money on production costs, and one easy way for them to pinch pennies is to simply re-use an existing toy mold mixed with a simple repaint and voila! You've got a brand-new toy! Vintage MOTU fans will remember the whole Merman/Stinkor repaint fiasco from the early 1980s. Well, our good friends over at the uber-nerd blog has compiled yet another one of its awesome lists with their 9 Greatest Re-Used Action Figures. Why not 10? They couldn't think of one more? Oh well. The list does a pretty good job of pointing out the "cheap-skatery" of various toy makers, including Toy Biz's habit of using the same exact female figure mold for just about every female figure they ever produced. Come on Toyu Biz, you know better than that! And they even pointed out somethings I never new about, such as the New Adventures of He-man/Demolition Man action figure connection (hint: they're the exact same mold!). Anyway, my hat is tipped once again to some great irreverent list-making. To read the list, visit www.toplessrobot.com. The 9 Greatest Re-Used Action Figures from Topless Robot originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 19:32:37.
The Return of Megos!
Good grief! Mego action figures are coming back! Everyone run out into the streets and dance with joy! Okay, maybe I'm over-reacting, but I can bet taht a lot of adult action figure collectors who were alive during the late '70s and early '80s will attest that Mego, makers of those classic, fully clothed, 8-inch superheroes can be held practically wholly responsible for their long-lasting love for action figures. Megos were like the gateway toy that turned many of us into die-hard collectors. And now, after years of demanding fans crying out, Mattel is taking the helm and re-launching the Mego line of figures. Well, okay, so these aren't technically Mego figures. It's not like the Mego company has magically come back to life or anything. But Mattel is basing these new figures on the vintage World's Greatest Superheroes line from the days of yore. They do look a bit different, better quality for one thing, with their vinyl trimmed outfits and actual hands replacing those odd vintage mitten that the old figures sported. But having seen a few pictures, they do look extraordinarily reminiscent of the classic Mego figures and that's enough for a fan like me to get all tingly inside. The first wave will include famous DC characters Superman, Lex Luthor, Green Lantern and Sinestro, and I can only hope that some Batman characters will be soon to follow. Then, to make us old school collectors really go nuts, they need to start making Marvel characters! And Planet of the Apes! And The Waltons! Okay, maybe not The Waltons. For more information and to place a pre-order, visit www.entertainmentearth.com. The Return of Megos! originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 10:32:36.
Old School MOTU Artwork Up for Charity Auction
This is just the kind of thing to make collectors of vintage Master of the Universe toys salivate like a bunch of dogs coming across a knocked over hot dog cart. Anyone who grew up with the classic fantasy/sci-fi hybrid action figure series will be able to recall the vividly epic artwork that was found on all of the packaging, especially the vehicles and playset, with fantastic scenes of a war-battered world, gray clouds roiling across the sky, towering fortresses looming in the distance and in the foreground, a muscle-bound hero, gleaming weapon in hand, astride his rearing giant attack beast, readying his leap into the clashing fray! Aaahhh... good times. Well now you can own a piece or two of this brilliant artwork as the CAAF (Children Affected by AIDS Foundation) and Mattel, the makers of the MOTU line, have teamed up to auction off a couple of original pieces of packaging art from two legendary MOTU toys, the Battle Armor He-man with Battlecat and Battle-Bones figures and accessories. According to The Fwoosh: Please join the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF) and Mattel in a celebration of the artists and artwork participating in the 2009 Dream Halloween the Art Show! The Preview Night exhibit will include a silent auction of over 70 pieces of unique art created by Mattel employees. All those in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on one of these original works of art! Proceeds will benefit the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF), a Mattel philanthropic Signature Partner. Phone bidding is available for art marked with a RED RIBBON. The Live Auction by phone is October 24, 2009 at approximately 5:30pm Pacific Time. To register as a phone bidder, please call 310-258-0850 between Monday, October 19 and Friday, October 23. PLEASE NOTE, PHONE BIDDING IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PAINTINGS WITH THE RED RIBBON AND HAVE A MINIMUM STARTING BID OF $1,000. So break out those checkbooks, MOTU fans! Come on, it's for a great cause! For more information, visit the Fwoosh at the link above or visit www.caaf4kids.org. Old School MOTU Artwork Up for Charity Auction originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 19:50:31.
Wolfman Action Figure Just in Time for Halloween... Oh Wait... No, it's Not... Sorry.
As a fan of all things lychanthropic (anything dealing with werewolves), I'm about seven different kinds of excited about the upcoming Wolfman movie starring Benicio Del Toro and the occasionally fuzzy-challenged. Of course, any time I get excited about a new line of eye candy (movie, TV show, comic book) I can't help but wonder if there will be accompanying action figures and if so, when? Well, well, wonder no more fellow fur-fanatics, news on the street is that the official Wolfman 7" action figure made by Mezco, will be available for purchase in January of 2010! Wait.. what? January of 2010? Are they serious?! Well, if that's not a kick in the pants, the movie is not coming out until February of 2010. Seriously, because nothing says "Valentine's Day" like a werewolf movie, right? Now, I'm no marketing genius, but when I went to see Zombieland last weekend (quickie movie review: awesome!) and I saw the trailer for the Wolfman before the feature presentation, I nearly lost my mind right there int he theater for several reasons, one being that this is the Halloween season, a holiday tailor-made for things like curse gypsy men who turn into man-eating half-wolves. But do they release the movie around Halloween? Noooooooo. They save it for a holiday season based on candy hearts, bouquets of flowers and fat, little babies with vestigial bird wings. Brilliant. Oh well. What I've seen of the figure looks great (although I'm already suspicious of a lack of articulation) so the chances are pretty good that I'll pick one up, taht is, as long as I can keep up my Halloween mood for the next 4 months. Wish me luck. For a sneaky peek at the figure, visit www.entertainmentearth.com. Wolfman Action Figure Just in Time for Halloween... Oh Wait... No, it's Not... Sorry. originally appeared on About.com Action Figure Collecting on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 16:31:23.
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Holiday Barbie 2009 - A Review
Holiday Barbie 2009 - A Review originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 23:04:31.
I'm usually a traditionalist for the holidays--when I think holiday dolls, I think of red, green, silver and gold. So, it was a bit of a shock to me that I really like the 2009 Holiday Barbie doll. She's--pink! Pink is not a traditional holiday color, but it is the perfect color for a holiday Barbie doll that caps off Barbie's 50th anniversary year. Find out more in my review of the 2009 Holiday Barbie doll.
Charisma Acquires Adora Doll Company
Charisma Acquires Adora Doll Company originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 21:31:14.
Charisma Brands announced today that they have acquired the Adora Doll Company, founded by David Lin and Frank Ren. Charisma, home of Marie Osmond Dolls, is already shipping 2009 Adora product to retailers and will introduce the new 2010 Adora designs at the IDEX and Toy Fair shows beginning in January 2010. Adora Doll is best knownn for their baby and toddler dolls. Adora's longtime customer service and sales administrator, Sandy Fawzi, will join the Charisma team and will continue in her role.
A Life of Faith and Faith and Friends Dolls Will No Longer Be Produced
A Life of Faith and Faith and Friends Dolls Will No Longer Be Produced originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 21:04:06.
Mission City Press has announced that A Life of Faith dolls will no longer be produced. In a statement released today, the company told its collectors that "...due to the economic downturn that our country is facing, we are being required to discontinue producing ALOF products. This is an extremely heartbreaking thing for us, but we know that the seeds we have sown into the hearts of girls will continue to bear fruit for eternity." I have confirmed with the company that, unfortunately, Faith and Friends dolls will also be discontinued.
Top Reasons To Not Smoke Around Your Dolls
Top Reasons To Not Smoke Around Your Dolls originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 22:51:09.
If you are a smoker, it's hard enough to cope with the fact that smoking can damage the health of you and your family. If you are also a doll collector, you also need to know that smoking can also damage your dolls. If you or someone in your family smokes around your doll collection, you need to read the Top Reasons to Not Smoke Around Your Dolls.
American Girl Kirsten To Be Discontinued
American Girl Kirsten To Be Discontinued originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 15:01:28.
Kirsten Larson, the American Girl pioneer doll who has her story set in 1854, is being retired by American Girl LLC. Kirsten is one of the original American Girl dolls, and she has been sold by the company since their first catalog in 1986. Kirsten joins Samantha in the archives--Samantha is another one of the original American Girls that was retired last year.
Vintage Day in Duncan, Oklahoma Focused on Dolls
Vintage Day in Duncan, Oklahoma Focused on Dolls originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 21:22:21.
I greatly enjoyed my trip to Duncan, Oklahoma to present a program about dolls from 1918 through the early 1940s for Vintage Day. Although the program focused mainly on composition dolls, I also discussed the bisque, celluloid and cloth dolls that were available during the heyday of the W.T. Foreman Prarie House. After the program, there was a doll show and then I did appraisals on dolls. I love this type of program, since it brings knowledge about dolls to people who don't necessarily collect dolls but who are eager to learn more about the dolls that are owned by their families.
Great Site For Identifying Antique German Doll Marks
Great Site For Identifying Antique German Doll Marks originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at 19:35:43.
I've been spending some time identifying several antique doll collections that I've received on consignment, and stumbled across this very useful German site, Puppenmarkenlexicon which has a listing of "visual" marks of antique bisque German dollmakers. By visual marks, I'm referring to marks that are not just the name of the dollmaking company and/or mold numbers, but marks that incorporate artwork and other mark information. The site is not exhaustive, and I can't read a word of the site, but it can definitely help you identify some of those antique German marks that are hard to look up in a book!
Kim Kardashian Poses as Barbie in Kurv Magazine
Kim Kardashian Poses as Barbie in Kurv Magazine originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 01:37:11.
I've never really understood Kim Kardashian (exactly why is she famous?) but I must say she makes a very pretty Barbie Doll. Ms. Kardashian was recently photographed for a 16-page, Barbie photo essay in the Australian magazine Kurv. Mattel approved the photography shoot as part of Barbie's 50th anniversary celebration. Kurv with the Karrdashian-as-Barbie photos will be available in the United States in October, but you can see some of the photos right now at Entertainment Tonight online.
Prarie House Vintage Day in Duncan, Oklahoma Will Celebrate Dolls!
Prarie House Vintage Day in Duncan, Oklahoma Will Celebrate Dolls! originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 01:16:08.
The Prairie House will hold its second annual Vintage Day on Sunday,September 27th, from 1 to 5 p.m. in Duncan, Oklahoma. Admission to the event is free. There will be a program on dolls focusing on the bisque and composition dolls popular during the early days of The Prarie House (circa 1918 - 1940) as well as a display of dolls brought by attendees and doll appraisals. Tours of Prarie House will be given. I am a special guest at this event, and I'll be giving the program as well as doing appraisals. I hope to see you there!
American Girl Happy Meals Now at McDonald's!
Now that my children are older I rarely go to McDonalds, so imagine my surprise when the need for a quick meal took me there this week and I found that McDonald's was running an American Girl Happy Meal promotion! I believe the promotion has been running for a week or two, which means that there is still time left to get the American Girl-themed Happy Meals which include tiny American Girl books with activities! Photo © 2009 Denise Van Patten. Licensed to About.com, Inc American Girl Happy Meals Now at McDonald's! originally appeared on About.com Doll Collecting on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 01:27:58.
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Toy Hall of Fame Has a Ball
Today the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY has just announced three new inductees, the Big Wheel, the Game Boy and...(drumroll please) the ball. The ball? Sounds wacky, but sure! The ball is an all-time favorite. It's been around almost as long as there have been children to toss it, kick it or whack it with a stick, which was inducted last year. (Honest!) At a special event today, the ball, the Big Wheel and the Game Boy were unveiled, and they take their places among other classics like Barbie, Slinky and Silly Putty. Can you picture the ball watching the unveiling year after year, wondering when its time would come? The Susan Lucci of toys is sitting there thinking, "The stick? Seriously? The stick got in before the BALL?" Now all is right with the world. Photo © National Toy Hall of Fame Toy Hall of Fame Has a Ball originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 12:55:01.
Christmas Windows Unveiled
One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is going to the city, be it New York, Chicago, San Francisco or any other major metropolis, to look at the stores' holiday displays. They really kick off the Christmas shopping season in style, with glitz and glamor and holiday fantasy, and window shopping is free! American Girl doll lovers who are fortunate enough to be in New York tomorrow (Friday, November 6) should visit American Girl Place where, at 3:30 p.m. the curtains go up on the store's special Christmas windows. The address is 609 Fifth Avenue. The event is free open to the public and I understand that there will be treats. The picture is of last year's beautiful Christmas window at American Girl Place. What makes you feel like it's really Christmas time? Photo © American Girl Place Christmas Windows Unveiled originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:53:01.
Halloween Costumes Make Great Cheap Toys
In the days following Halloween, many retailers drastically cut prices on costumes. I took this opportunity to stock up our dress-up box for 50 per cent less than I would have had to spend last week. Here are a few suggestions for post-Halloween costume-buying strategies. Some children can plan ahead to next year's Halloween. Not mine. It was down to the wire when they decided what they'd be this year. In that case, costumes can also make fantastic Christmas gifts! Halloween Costumes Make Great Cheap Toys originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 08:23:47.
Mind Games: New Toys That Harness Brain Power
I love toys that use cutting-edge technology in fun and innovative ways, and this Christmas there are two really clever new games that are powered by EEG waves (and lots of batteries!) Mindflex from Mattel and the Jedi Force Trainer from Uncle Milton both come with funky-looking headsets. Just put it on and make sure that the contact points are touching the skin, then you simply stare at a little ball until it levitates! A fan's motor accelerates and decelerates as you concentrate. The big question is, "Do they work?" The answer is, "YES!" Both games are easy to use, but one is more fun than the other. Read my review to find out which one will have your family playing mind games for hours. Now, if I could just get all the clocks to change by staring at them. That would be a feat! Photo © Uncle Milton Mind Games: New Toys That Harness Brain Power originally appeared on About.com Toys on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 03:18:23.
American Girl Wonders, "Are These Wings Too Costumey?"
This year American Girl has released a darling set of costumes so the Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin dolls can get all "dolled up" for Halloween. The "Wings and Things" set includes a pair of reversible wings, a super-hero suit with a reversible cape, a black leotard, a reversible skirt and a green dragon suit with a matching hat. It also comes with a storybook about the Bitty Baby dolls. I can picture so many cute costumes where girl and doll can dress up together. Can you picture a girl as a giant flower with her doll dressed as a tiny bee? Or a super hero with a tiny sidekick? How about a knight with a cute, little baby dragon? Darling. I love Halloween costumes and props make them even more fun! What is your child wearing for Halloween this year? Photo © American Girl American Girl Wonders, "Are These Wings Too Costumey?" originally appeared on About.com Toys on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 07:04:00.
Barbie Turns 50 Vegas Style
Most leggy blondes don't openly share their birthdates, but Barbie is an exception. Much like Oprah, Barbie is celebrating her 50th birthday in style for an entire year. She's walking the walk at charity events for Save the Children, walking the catwalk at Fashion Week and walking the red carpet at awards shows. She's even rubbing elbows with Playboy Bunnies, if only in the elevator, at the brand-new Barbie Suite at the Las Vegas Palms Casino Resort. Celebrity designer Jonathan Adler designed the 2,300-square-foot suite, where up to 50 people can throw a house party "Barbie-Dream-House-style." It has the expected Jacuzzi tub and plasma TVs and it's drenched in pink, with corseted chairs and a mirror framed by 65 reproduction 1959 Barbies. Barbie is one of those girls I'd love to hate, but I just can't. While we all know her measurements are unrealistic, her shoes always fall off, and absolutely nothing about her (including her boyfriend) ever ages, she still captivates millions of girls. Who can blame them? She's got more than good looks. She's got the clothes, the cars, the houses and even the man, but she's more than a material girl. Over the years she's been a career girl with stints as an astronaut, a veterinarian and a McDonald's employee. Barbie has taken her share of guff from the critics, who pounced like hungry cougars (but who said 'cougar?') when she complained, "Math is hard!" But she's bounced back and, according to "her people" at Mattel, she's just getting started. She's not even afraid of technology. At Toy Fair we saw a prototype of a digital printer that adorns girls' fingernails with Barbie flair. You've gotta give the girl credit. The times, they are a-changin', but Barbie never misses a beat. Photo © Palms Casino Resort Barbie Turns 50 Vegas Style originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 19:01:46.
I Think That Car Just Winked at Me
I learned a new word today: lenticular. It describes those images that change when you tilt them. Remember those? The best stickers had a horse that ran or a person that smiled at you. They were the epitome of cool technology when I was a kid and their appeal still hasn't lost its luster. Disney has a new line of lenticular die-cast cars featuring the Cars movie characters. Their eyes open and close and my 4-year-old son is carrying them everywhere, talking to them in his car seat, and even sleeping with them at night. He calls them his "eye cars" and they are his favorites among his dozens of die-cast cars. You might think a winking, oversized Tow Mater might seem a little sketchy, but I have to admit it. He's kinda cute. I Think That Car Just Winked at Me originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 15:14:45.
Thrifty Thursday: Special Offers and Coupons from Fisher-Price and Playskool
If you are looking to save some money as you do your toy shopping this holiday season, a good place to start is with the toy manufacturers themselves. Not only can you buy toys directly, they often offer discounts and coupons on what you are looking for -- through an online purchase or at a retail location. Playskool has a Play Savings Program that offers over $75 in discounts on some of their more popular toys, including the Sit N' Spin and Mr. Potato Head. Fisher-Price has a Special Offers page with discounts for toys as well as giveaways and special purchases. Know of any more savings programs? Post them in the comments section below! Thrifty Thursday: Special Offers and Coupons from Fisher-Price and Playskool originally appeared on About.com Toys on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:00:51.
What Price Would You Pay for a Zhu Zhu Pet?
Zhu Zhu Pets (compare prices) are one of the hottest toys this holiday season, thanks to a perfect storm of reasons. They are cute, interactive and they have lots of accessories. They are also supposed to be inexpensive -- most major retailers have them priced at $9.99, with accessories in the $12 - $30 range, depending upon the complexity of the item. Good luck trying to find them at that price. With most mainstream retailers sold out, many parents are turning to the Internet to try to find this hot product. A quick search of the Amazon.com marketplace and Ebay has these furry friends priced in some cases at more than triple their original price. It's a frustrating conundrum. You want your kids to be happy and have that special toy waiting for them under the tree, but at the same time, who wants to pay a higher price? There are some steps you can take to try and get your hands on a Zhu Zhu Pet or whatever the hot item of the year happens to be: What are your toy-buying strategies?
Image: PriceGrabber What Price Would You Pay for a Zhu Zhu Pet? originally appeared on About.com Toys on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 14:01:05.
Hot Holiday Toy: Mattel Mindflex Game
We were watching television last night when a commercial for the new Mattel Mindflex Game (compare prices) came on. Part game, part science fiction, part "what is that?," Mindflex allows you to use your mind to levitate a foam ball. To be honest, I have not seen the game in person yet, but it looks pretty cool. There is a headset that you strap on and console that features a different types of hoops, hurdles and funnels that you can arrange however you like. Once the headset is in place, the object is to alternate between concentrating and relaxing your mind and making the ball move through the obstacles. There is a fan that keeps the ball up in the air, but the movement is up to the player. Before I buy this game, I think I'd like to see it in action. It sounds great, but does it work? Is it difficult to learn? Will children be frustrated by it? As technology grows and changes, it's fun to see what types of different toys manufacturers come up with -- we've come a long way since Pong! Have you played Mindflex? Image: PriceGrabber/Mattel Hot Holiday Toy: Mattel Mindflex Game originally appeared on About.com Toys on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 06:31:22.
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Coin Trivia for 3 November 2009
1. Do the first Bufflalo 5-cent pieces show a bison standing on a mound or a flat plain? 2. In what year did Italy produce a 500-lire coin composed of bronze and acmonital? 3. How many Federal Reserve index numbers appear on a 1981 note? 5. Who was the first treasurer of the United States?
Coin Trivia for 27 October 2009
1. Whose coin collection containing an 1822 $5 gold piece sold at public auction in 1982? 2. What building appears on the Jefferson 5-cent piece? 3. The coinage of what country was legal tender in Bahamas before 1966? 4. Is a capped die strike error coin a planchet, die or striking error? 5. On what side of the reverse of a $1 Federal Reserve note does the eagle appear?
Coin Trivia for 20 October 2009
1. When was the Kennedy half introduced? 2. Before currency reform in Guernsey, how much was 8 doubles worth? 3. What color is the Treasury seal on a 1928 $10 gold certificate? 4. What Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint designed the Bicentennial National medals? 5. Minor coinage was confined by law to what mint until 1906?
Coin Trivia for 13 October 2009
1. What abbreviation appears on the Bar cent? 2. Bahamas issued a $10 wedding coin dated 1981 featuring conjoined busts of whom? 3. Which of the men appearing on 1981 Federal Reserve notes was born in the Leeward Islands? 4. What Canadian Mint is located in Quebec? 5. What English organization is comparable to the American Numismatic Association?
Beware of Counterfeits
Here's a press release with a valuable warning for anyone who buys coins. Photographs of two of the counterfeit coins are included at the end of this post. (Fallbrook, California) - Chinese-made counterfeit coins pose a significant financial threat to unsuspecting consumers, according to leaders of five of the country's most influential rare coin organizations. They warn the public is spending millions of dollars on fake U.S. coins offered in online auctions and elsewhere, such as flea markets and swap meets. In a jointly-issued consumer advisory (below) the groups caution the public not to purchase any so-called "replica" coins because they may be in violation of federal law. They also urge consumers to only purchase genuine rare coins from reputable, professional dealers or face the risk of losing money on copies that are illegal to re-sell. Below is the consumer protection warning issued by (in alphabetical order) the American Numismatic Association (www.money.org), Industry Council for Tangible Assets (www.ICTAonline.org), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (www.NGCcoin.com), Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.com) . Consumer Advisory About Counterfeit Coins Hobby periodicals report that more than a million counterfeit coins manufactured in China have been fraudulently sold in the United States posing a significant financial risk for unsuspecting consumers. Buyer beware! Consumers who buy an item based only on its perceived rarity and who have no knowledge as to how to determine whether the coin is genuine subject themselves to great risk of losing their money The American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) urge consumers to educate themselves before making purchases: know what you are buying and purchase only from reputable, experienced rare coin dealers (professional numismatists). "We believe many of these counterfeits subsequently are being resold as genuine rare coins in online auctions and at flea markets and swap meets," said Clifford Mishler, ANA President. "Millions of dollars already have been spent on these fakes and potentially millions more may be unwittingly lost by consumers who mistakenly think they're getting a genuine rare coin," warned Paul Montgomery, PNG President. It is a violation of United States federal law to sell unmarked replicas. The U.S. Hobby Protection Act, first enacted in 1973 (Public Law 93-167 15 US Code 2101 et seq) requires manufacturers and importers of imitation numismatic items to mark them plainly and permanently with the word, "COPY" in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (16 CFR part 304). Thousands of coins described as "copy" or "replica" are listed for sale in online auctions every day. There also are numerous reports of replica coins being exported from China without the word, "COPY," incused in the surface as the law requires. On most on-line offers, photos of the replica depict the word, falsely showing consumers a different product than the one they're actually buying. "We believe many of these are simply counterfeits that eventually will be purchased for significant amounts of money by unsuspecting buyers," said Fred Weinberg, ICTA Chairman. Coin World, a respected weekly hobby publication, recently reported that 99 percent of the "replica" items sold into the U.S. market do not contain the required "COPY" markings. One counterfeiter in China told the publication he already has produced and sold more than one million coins. To protect the public, our organizations are aggressively working to
"Even during the recession, the United States rare coin market remains vibrant and active with an estimated $5 billion in annual sales. We urge collectors and investors to become knowledgeable and use common sense when buying," said Steven R. Eichenbaum, NGC Chief Executive Officer.
"Some of the counterfeits are of extremely high quality, so if you don't know rare coins, you'd better know your coin dealer. You should only buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers who have a return policy with regard to non-genuine coins," said Don Willis, President of the Professional Coin Grading Service.
In addition, there are reliable rare coin authentication companies whose certified coins are guaranteed for authenticity. Two such companies, among others, are Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
For a copy of the informative booklet, What You Should Know Before You Buy Rare Coins, send $1 to the Professional Numismatists Guild, 3950 Concordia Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.
This counterfeit 1916-D Winged Liberty Head dime was sold online. Photo credit: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
No 1915-dated Half Eagles were struck at the Denver Mint. This counterfeit "1915-D" was sold online. Photo credit: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
Why We Need a 37-cent Coin
Steven D. Levitt's Freakonomics blog got an interesting submission from Patrick DeJarnette regarding coins. DeJarnette was curious how efficient our current system of coinage is in handling amounts with the least coins involved. His results are surprising. The most efficient system was a tie between 1-cent-piece, 3-cent piece, 11-cent piece, 37-cent piece and (1,3,11,38) at 4.10 coins per transaction. A more palatable combination that's still more efficient than our current system is (1,4,15,40) with 4.14 coins per transaction. I don't expect our coins to change anytime soon, but it's interesting to see more efficient combinations.
Coin Trivia for 6 October 2009
1. What is polished for proof production, the dies or the planchets? 2. What is the tribute penny of the Bible? 3. A paddlewheel steamboat appears on the American Arts Gold Medallion depicting what person? 4. What was the last silver quarter dollar not depicting an eagle? 5. What designer of a $20 gold piece also designed the medal for the 1892 Columbian Expo?
Coin Trivia for 29 September 2009
1. Whose initials appear on some 1909 Lincoln cents? 2. What country issues Maundy money? 3. Whose portrait appears on modern $20 Federal Reserve notes? 4. Designs from what U.S. coin appear on wooden nickels? 5. How many $3 gold pieces were struck at the Charlotte Mint?
Coin Trivia for 22 September 2009
1. Which coin is known to have full bell lines on well struck specimens? 2. Who designed the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II introduced in 1985? 3. What individual has appeared on more different notes than any other in the U.S.? 5. What was the name of the eagle that lived at the Philadelphia mint in the early 1800s?
Close-Up Photography Tips
There are some useful tips at Instructables on how to take great close-up photos. The comments have even more ideas on ways to get the best pictures possible. Whether you're cataloging your coin collection or selling some coins on eBay, taking a high-quality photos of your coins is a skill worth developing. (via Lifehacker)
Coin Trivia for 15 September 2009
1. In what year were the fewest Barber dimes minted? 2. What country honored the 1978 World Soccer Championship on a 20-peso coin? 3. What denominations of Series 1981A notes were printed? 4. Were Civil War tokens issued privately or by the U.S. Mint? 5. What U.S. president recommended the establishment of a branch Mint in California?
Coin Trivia for 8 September 2009
1. At what Mint were the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge commemoratives struck? 2. In what year were Swiss "shooting coins" or "talers" introduced? 3. How many types of 1929 national banknotes were issued? 4. How many U.S. Mints were in operation as coining facilities in 1908?
Coin Trivia for 1 September 2009
1. What is the Kennedy Half's reverse based on? 2. What city is named on the 1976 Olympic coinage? 3. A group of Eskimos fishing appear on what denomination of a 1974 Canadian note? 4. What was the only 90% silver Kennedy half in Proof? 5. What disease closed down the Philadelphia Mint every summer during its early years?
Coin Trivia for 25 August 2009
1. What showman is on the obverse of the Bridgeport, CT commemorative half dollar? 2. What metal was used in 5, 10 and 20-cruzeiros coins of Brazil after 1980? 3. Does the treasury seal appear to the left or the right of a 1981 $1 note? 4. What of the current clad coins did John R. Sinnock design? 5. Besides the copper-plated zinc cents, what U.S. coin has been officially plated?
Coin Trivia for 18 August 2009
1. How many 1913 Liberty Head nickels are known to exist? 2. What country uses denominations of butut and dalasi? 3. What two languages have been used on the U.S. Treasury Department seal? 4. What is the second highest decoration a member of the U.S. Navy can receive for heroism? 5. What Mint marks have been used on 20th century silver quarter dollars?
Coin Collecting - The Hobby of Kings
Harry Potter FAQ
More than half of the questions that land in my inbox relate to Harry Potter. So here, for your enjoyment, are answers to the most frequently asked questions about collecting Harry Potter books. Read the FAQ......
Tom Clancy Price Guide
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Rare? Scarce? Antique?
When describing a book, what is the difference between rare, scarce, antique and used? Read more......
Safe Storage of Paperback Books
A reader asks: "I have over 400 star trek books and about 100 others, all paperback. What would be the best way to store these. I am running out of bookshelf space & would like to hold on to them....
Vintage Paperback FAQ
What's a paperback original? What do Raymond Chandler and Louis L'Amour have in common? How can you tell if a paperback is a first edition? Find out here......
Robert Frost Price Guide
Robert Frost remains one of the great American poets as well as one of my personal favorites. If you admire Frost as much as I do, be sure to browse the price guide to Robert Frost first editions....
How to Identify a Harry Potter First Edition
Here are three tips to help you identify a British or American first edition of books in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Read on......
Book Collecting Jargon
You probably already know that "covers" refers to a book's binding, but what about "recto" or "yellowback"? Check out the Book Collecting Glossary to decipher these and other unique bits of jargon....
How Important is a Book's Condition?
How does a book's condition impact its appraised value? Is the answer always black and white? Our book appraisal experts tackle this common dilemma. Read more....
First Edition? First Trade Edition?
A reader asks: "I have a "First Trade Edition". Does this differ from a "First Edition"? And if so how?" Read my reply......
Maxfield Parrish Price Guide
In 1925, about 20% of American homes had a Maxfield Parrish print hanging on a wall. Parrish's fantastical imagery was featured on greeting cards, calendars, advertisements and fine art prints. However, book collectors know him from his exquisite children's book...
Where Can I Find a Book Appraiser?
Sometimes you need to have a book formally appraised. But, where can you find a reputable appraiser? A team of booksellers and book appraisers answer this question for us. Read their responses......
Price Clipped Dust Jackets
A reader asks: "I have noticed the following and don't know what it means: "DJ not price-clipped." What is "price-clipped" and is it good or bad?" Read my answer......
How to Grade a Book's Condition
Booksellers usually designate a book as fine, very good, good, fair, poor, reading copy or binding copy. But, do you know what these descriptors really mean? How can you tell if the book youre holding in your hand is a...
How Important is a Book's Condition?
What role does a book's condition play in determining its appraised value? Find out here......
About Book Collecting
Get the latest headlines from the About.com Book Collecting GuideSite.
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