A Tour Through Toyland...Inside Timeless Toys

Some friends who’ve paged through Timeless Toys (formerly The Playmakers) have told me that you really have to see it to “get it.” And since I sincerely hope you “get it” and then, you know… get it, I thought I would give you a tour of my favorite pages.

Timeless Toys begins (and ends) with some very cool ENDPAPERS. Here we took some great PATENT DRAWINGS and made a blueprint style collage.

The first section is 1900s—1920s, and although I feel pulled by Lionel trains, I had to choose this CRAYOLA spread as my favorite. The original artwork by my daughter and that colorful lineup at the bottom would make anyone wax nostalgic.

The 1930s—1940s section is dominated by the Monopoly chapter which runs 13 pages and features a rare full-page shot of the original Landlord’s Game. However, I’ve got to go with this MONOPOLY spread as my favorite. It’s got a picture of Charles Darrow himself AND (get this) the actual rejection letters Darrow received from Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley in 1934 (courtesy of Charles Darrow’s son, William Darrow). This TONKA layout is a close second.

Next up are the 1950s, which witnessed the release of so many cool toys we had to give this decade a section of its own. For my money you can’t beat the $2.50 fun of a game of WIFFLE BALL. If you were more of an indoor kid, then LEGO is it.

Wham-0 rocks because of the outdoor fun that is Frisbee, Hula Hoop and Slip ‘N Slide. Yet for me, the bounce of SUPER BALL beats them all.

Marvin Glass also got his own section, what with Operation, Mouse Trap and so many other hits coming from his crazy group of desingers. I love the low-tech—high tech dicotomy of TOSS ACROSS and SIMON.

Within the 1960s—1970s section the B’s have it. BATTLING TOPS and BIG WHEEL are the Best.

The final section is the 1980s—1990s. I had to include the game the got me into the toy buisness in the first place! This shot of Trivial Pursuit is great, but it’s the combination of TRIVIAL PURSUIT and the RUBIK’S CUBE disassembled that sealed the deal.

Finally, I ended the book with a collage of THE MAKING OF TIMELESS TOYS, featuring photographers Herb Booth and Dawn Butters plus some very adorable models — my wife and kids! It’s the perfect ending.

Thanks for coming, watch your step and be sure to exit through our air-conditioned gift shop.