Yesterday, I visited the 31st Annual Greater York Toy Extravaganza. Last year’s show was my first visit, and I wasn’t sure if it was worth the gas money and getting up on a cold, dark Sunday morning again, but I’m glad I decided to return. There really seemed to be a better variety this time and I saw a lot of great items that I can only wish to add to my collection some day.
There were over 800 dealers at the show and you never know what you might find in the next booth. I met up with my friend Todd, from Hake’s Americana, who is a walking encyclopedia of vintage toys, and we roamed the aisles looking for the diamonds in the rough. (Check out this video of Todd’s James Bond collection that was featured on the local news a couple of week’s ago.) While we were at the show, Todd introduced me to a friend of his who runs an awesome web site for Superman collectors–a kindred spirit indeed!
Toyman-X’s booth was filled with great new and vintage toys. Those Planet of the Apes playsets were so tempting, but I have consciously decided that I just don’t have enough room in the cave for large items like those (I need a bigger cave!). I was also tempted by a M.A.S.K. Boulder Hill playset and a Thundercats Lair, both in their original boxes.
So, what did I bring home with me this time? Here is the haul…
Like last year, I didn’t really buy anything that I would call “amazing” but I did find some fun smaller items to add to my shelves. I picked up a couple of the Hot Wheels Mystery Machines that have eluded me so far, and a Mego Batman figure who is in need of some clothing (but for five bucks he was a steal). A Dippy the Deep Diver Nutty Mad and a couple of plastic Planet of the Apes figures also came home with me.
These vintage space men will fit in nicely with the rest of my fleet.
King Kong always finds his way into my car. The yellow figure is a gorilla from a safari set, but vintage gorillas are usually King Kong in my book. The jiggler was a fun find, and that rubber finger puppet face is awesome, especially when you place it over that Mego Batman’s head!
I struck up a conversation with one dealer who had a great assortment of King Kong items and he ended up rolling up his pant leg to reveal three massive King Kong tattoos depicting Kong from the three major movies. Anyone know a good tattoo artist? I have an idea. Don’t tell my wife.
This vinyl Batman and Robin play set by Ideal is in great shape…
…and most of the pieces are there but I need to track down some more of those yellow bases.
The playset set me back $40, which was by far the most expensive thing I purchased. Like last year, the really good stuff was really expensive–sadly, a Corgi 1966 Batmobile is still missing from my collection–but I’m glad I made the trip because I got to see a ton of awesome toys, and is there really any better way to spend a few hours?
Anyone else go to the show or find anything cool this weekend?
Nice haul! That Mego Bats is one of the first releases, I think (often called “Type 1”), which is why he has the metal joints in his wrist. The later ones use plastic pegs. Super cool!
I would have come back from that trip sooooooooooo broke!
Thanks Reis. I am so Mego-ignorant–I just wanted someone to put in the Mego Batmobile I got last month. 😉
Awwww, I should have put this on my calendar … I completely forgot about it.
BTW, LURVE that white spaceman!
I had a nice quiet drive you would have enjoyed Wendy. For your roadside attractions list, Route 30 featured “Mr. T’s Ale house,” a “Friends don’t let friends drive junk” sign, and the “S & M Lodge” — not sure what that one’s all about. 😉
Hey, Brian, it was great meeting you at the show Sunday. It’s amazing how many toys are there. It took two hours just to do a circuit of both halls and I apparently missed a ton of stuff based on some things Todd told me about that I didn’t see.
The buying can be really hit or miss, but it’s worth the $5 just in entertainment value of seeing all of those toys in one place. I only picked up a few things: a new EMCE Mego-style Creature from the Black Lagoon, a round bottom variant Pepsi Superman glass, some Superman puffy stickers, and a couple of comic books.
Thanks for plugging my site!
Glad to have met you too Steve. I have been collecting vintage Batman and Superman items whenever I can find them, so I will definitely be stalking your site. 😉 If you write up a recap of your haul, feel free to comment here with a link.
I thought it was better this year too. Good stuff!
Just read your recap. You had some fun finds too! I tell you, I could not break out the antibacterial wipes fast enough when I got back to the car–the trials and tribulations of the toy hunter. 😉
Great haul Brian.
Nice score on that type 1 Batman Mego. If your looking to clothe him, you might want to check with Dr. Mego. They would be repo, but you can get the emblem, belt and gloves and it would look pretty nice displayed until you can hunt down the originals.
Love that Batman vinyl playset. I’ve been wanting one myself.
I also see a Empire Spider-Man Crime Van in the pics. I used to have one, along with the helicopter Empire put out. I want those back in my collection when I have room.
Thanks Mike! That Spiderman van was pretty cool, but it is HUGE! I have wanted the Mobile Bat Lab for a long time. I’d make room for that one. 😉
Why oh why don’t we have cool things like this in Michigan?
STEEL CITY CON Dec 7-9 in Monroevile, PA (right outside Pittsburgh). Looking at your report has me chomping at the bit to make it to this one.
Nice Haul. I had the Batman playset from Ideal as kid. I been wanting to get one back in my collection for a while now.
BTW. Feel free to cantact anytime you have Mego related questions.
Thanks John!