Since
the THE
TOY BOX was
established in August 1999 we have made many friends from all over the
world and in September 2001 we were able to meet many of them at the Chicago
Old Toy Soldier Show which was great fun.
This introduction
to our web-site will hopefully enable you get a little background about
our hobby.
It all began
in 1958 when for Christmas my grandmother bought me the Britains
#905 Hippo in its box - and that's when I began to collect - some 40
odd years ago! I was simply fascinated with wild animals as a child, both
the real life ... and the toys.
We are very
fortunate because we live just 50 miles from London where all the
major Toy Fairs are held and as we specialise and collect British made
Vintage Civilian toys, where better to be located?
Most weekends
in "toy season" are spent at Toy Fairs. Some big, some not so big, but
we see many of the items people are looking for to enable them to enhance
their collection. Some items get sold within just 24 hours!
It's not only
great fun to help others, but we enjoy meeting people and know most of
the main toy dealers in the UK who try to help us out whenever they can.
Over the years
I have gathered together a great many reference books about lead items
which helps in identification when I need it. Some reference books, particularly
those by Norman Joplin and Philip Dean are a great reference and are available
to buy from our site! If you would like more information just let us know.
These can be shipped out of the USA or from the UK keeping postage to a
minimum.
During my childhood
these items were readily available and I remember spending weekends drooling
over items in old toy shop windows - most of which I couldn't afford at
the time but always wishing one day I would have one of everything the
British manufacturers made in the Zoo line. Now my wish has come true and
one day I hope to catalogue my entire collection on the net for all to
see. We have started the Catalogue and if you would like to see some of
the things from my collection, which has now evolved with zoo animals made
by the German makers Elastolin and Lineol please just ask and I will give
you the link.
From now on,
we are concentrating on helping others with their collections and since
we started we have enhanced the collections of many of our customers and
friends. Most are thrilled that they are now able to purchase these beautiful
items in the comfort of their own homes.
It's so
easy to buy from us. Simply e-mail us
with the item you are interested in and we will reserve it for you for
up to 10 days.
Always view
the "What's New" Page first - something may come in and go the same
day - It can be frustrating - as the site has become so popular - most
of our customers tell us that this is what they do.
We are told
by many collectors that we are the biggest
sellers of CIVILIAN
VINTAGE LEAD TOYS on the Internet. We
aim to please!
The site has
been made so it's easy for you to link to individual manufacturers and
we have tried to make the Britains section similar to a catalogue which
gives you the numbers of the items enabling them to easily be identified.
There are already
100's of photos on the site, but if there is an item you are interested
in without a photo - please just e-mail us and we will try to take one
for you.
Our current
stock includes figures in LEAD, COMPOSITION and PLASTIC.
