The Teddy Bear

                                                           














The Teddy Bear got it's name from  United States President "Teddy" Roosevelt. He  refused to shoot a small bear which was being held for him while out on a hunting trip.  Several hunters who were hunting with him got  a bear but Roosevelt had no luck with his hunt. Some of his retinue,  led by Holt Collier  tied a black bear cub to a  tree. then  took Roosevelt to the bear so he could shoot it. The president refused to shoot th poor little beare bear saying that this wa verys unsportsmanlike. This event became the subject of a cartoon drawing by Clifford Berryman in the Washington Post newspaper.






Morris Michtom, inspired by the cartoon created a  toy bear. He placed the stuffed bear cub  in his store window with a sign saying "Teddy's bear". The bears were a great success, and Michtom started the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co. to make them. 






The Steiff company across the ocean in Germany, brought out a stuffed toy bear from Richard Steiff's designs and ideas. At the Leipzig Toy Fair in the year 1903 over  3000 Steiff bears were ordered for export to the United States. 

Steiff in Germany and Michtom in the USA  both started making  bears at about the same time. Neither of these two companies knew of the other due to slow international communications at that early time. Some say that Steiff made the first bear  and others contend that Michton's bear was first.

Very soon other manufacturers seeing the  demand for bears, entered into making them. Ladies were seen carrying them around and many, children were playing with with them, and Roosevelt even used a Teddy bear as a mascot in his campaign for re-election to the office of president..






Seymour Eaton was the author of a  children's book series called The Roosevelt Bears.  John Bratton wrote "The Teddy Bear Two Step" dance which was teamed up with Jimmy Kennedy's lyrics,  to  become the famous song "The Teddy Bears' Picnic".

Most teddy bears made at this  time looked like real bears, with long noses and black beady eyes. Modern teddy bears tend to have bigger eyes and smaller,shorter noses  with cute babylike features to make them attractive to buyers.

Where can you go to buy good Teddy bears? You will find an amazing selection of bears  at  low discouned prices through this link to Amazon: Teddy bears




                                                       

Battery Toys Are Popular Collectibles

                                                             

Toys which were operated by small electric motors, and powered by batteries, were very popular in the 1950s- 1960s period.They reached peak popularity in the 1950s and continued to be quite popular through the 1970s. Many battery powered toys were vehicles including such items as carsand trucks of all sizes and military vehicles including jeeps, tanks airplanes and jeeps. Another very popular type of battery toy of this period, which is now highly prized by collectors, is Character type figures or animals including the ever popular red faced bar tender, the monkey playing a drum and a wide variety of similar items. Disney figures such as Mickey Mouse, Goofy or DFonald Duck either alone as a figure or driving cars were a big hit and are also much prized collectibles at present.



Cartoon characters had similar popularity at the time and again are very collectible.Electronic robots which could walk and move with flashing eyes and lights, of various types, boats and ships which either rasn on wheels or could be put in the water were big items. Starships and spacemen including the ever popular flying saucers and space suited space creatures associated with them were hugely successful. Battery operated toys are very much collectible at the present time, and their prices continue to rise on the collector market reflecting this popularity.


After the Second World War in 1946 Japanese toy makers (in occupied Japan) began to make toys with tiny electric motors to replace the earlier windup or clockwork toys which were more expensive to produce. Some of these toys could simulate human or animal movement and could drive battery powered vehicles. During the next quarter century Japan dominated the battery toy market and produced as much as 95% of all batteryoOperated toys which were sold all over the world.


Disney  Popeye Toys are now rare Battery Toys and can fetch prices of thousands of dollars when in excellent original condition.  Condition is the all important factor in valuing collectible battery toys, just as it is as with other collector toys. A toy which is described as Mint In Box (MIB) will fetch a very much higher price than a similar toy in just average used condition with no box can be sold for. The reason for this is of course that most toys have been played with by children, and had their knocks and scrapes, and an MIB battery toy is quite a rarity.Disney  Popeye battery toys are one of very hard to find items and will sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on their condition.


Production of battery toys reached a maximum in the 1960's and began to decline during the 1970s.  The reasons for the decline were the increasing Japanese labor costs and the new safety restrictions which were applied. This caused toy producers to go out of the toy business or change to manufacturing a different type of merchandise. The period covering about thirty years from  1940 to the end of the 1960's is the " Golden Era" of battery powered toys in the eyes of collectors.

Where should you go to buy battery powered toys?  You can will find great prices at Amazon: Battery Toys.

Check out our website  toys for sale  for more information about toys both new and collectible.

                                                     

Model Train Scales--What Is The Story Behind Them?

Model trains and engines are built to numerous different scales, and may be up to from 700 mm (27.6 in) tall for the big ridable live steam train scales such as 1:8, and from there right down to the smallest trains in Z-scale (1:220) which is matchbox sized. Another scale introduced in 2007 that is also available is called T Gauge, and is 3 mm (0.118 in) gauge track which is actually a scale of 1:450, or half the size of Z scale models.

An HO (1:87) engine is typically 50 mm (1.97 in) tall, and from 100mm to 300 mm (3.94 in to 11.81 in) in length. Some popular train scales are: G gauge, Gauge 1,HO gauge (in the UK the very similar 00gauge), O gauge, S scale, TT scale, and finally N scale (1:160 in the United States, (but different at 1:144 in the UK). Interest in Z scale and T Gauge is growing. HO and OO are still the most popular gauges. Some popular narrow-gauge scales are H0n3 scale, Sn3 scale. HOn3 Scale and Nn3,are the same scale as S, HO and N except with a smaller spacing between the tracks (in these examples, a scale 3 ft (914 mm) instead of the 4 ft 8 1/2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge).

The biggest commonly used scale is 1:8, with 1:4 occasionally used for park rides. G scale (which is Garden, 1:24 scale) is very popular for backyard modelling. The main reason for this is that it is easier to fit a G scale model into a garden with scenery in correct proportion to the trains. Also somewhat popular for gardens are Gauge 1 and Gauge 3. Gauges H0, O, S, and N are mostly used indoors. Lionel trains of O scale (1:48 scale) are very popular. S refers to the 1:64 scale.
Scale and gauge might seem at to be interchangeable terms, but their meanings are actually quite different. Scale is the model's size as a proportion to the real train, while railway gauge is only the distance between the rails.

In earlier times model trains were were not made to any particular scale size. scales to allow interchangeability between different manufacturers became absolutely necessary as the model train hobby became increasingly popular. Hence gauges were standardised, but the model trains were still just roughly proportional to the size of the original train. Standard industry wide scales for the various different gauges were formulated but were not completely followed in earlier times, and were not always in correct proportion to the gauge.

O gauge trains were to 1:48 scale in the USA but actually have track which is spaced too widely spaced for that gauge. In England O gauge is of 1:43.5 scale or 7 mm/1 foot and the gauge track spacing is correctly proportioned. But another example in the UK is OO scale model trains have tracks which have tracks spaced too narrowly. This resulted from the fact that British locomotives and train cars, are actually of smaller size than they are elsewhere. This caused an increase in scale so that HO scale model train materials could be put to use. The majority of scales have wheel flanges which are deeper than true scale,along with wheel treads that are wider than true scale, and rail tracks which are also larger than true scale size.
These inaccuracies and overscale dimensions of the commercial mass produced trains are made in order to provide reliable operation, and also for lower cost manufacture.

Model railroading can be a very interesting hobby and can be a lifetime interest for some train modellers. Very complex and extensive layouts are not uncommon and are often built over a long period of time with ever more detail.

Where is the best buy on model trains to be found.? We are always searching for the best model train deals and discounts to be found. Have a look at what we located through this link to Amazon:  Model trains and see our website  Toys for sale  for more information

Top Toys This Season

Every year the toy makers battle for top place honors on the toy lists of various websites and companies.This year is no different as the big toy makers go head to head for their share of the market. There are always some of the old favorites in there. Great toys like Lego (which has been around since the 1940s) never die and their makers always come up with new ideas or versions to keep them in the public eye and keep them selling. Lego's association with Star wars has been very profitable and the numerous Lego Star Wars toys are big sellers.

Then there is Barbie. What would Christmas be without Barbie? Barbie has been around since the 1950s and boy does she look good for her age.If we could all look like Barbie when we are 60 years old wouldn't that be something. Of course she has undergone numerous transformations and plastic surgery procedures over the years.But just as many little girls as ever will be asking for Barbie toys this Christmas. Many companies put out their list of top toys every year. Here is the list compiled by Toys R'Us a leading toy seller:



LEGO Ninjago Lightning
Dragon Battle
Moshi Monsters™ Moshlings
3-pk. Mini Figures
My Keepon
Air Swimmers®
LeapPad Explorer™
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure
Start Pack for Wii
Fijit Friends™
Playskool Poppin' Park™
Elefun® Busy Ball Popper®
The Trash Pack™ Trashies'
Garbage Truck
Nerf® Vortex™ Vigilon™Lalaloopsy™
SillyHair™ Dolls
Air Hogs® Hyperactives™
Sesame Street®
Let's Rock! Elmo™
Monster High™
Fearleading 3-pk.
Power Wheels® Dune Racer

Now you can go elsewhere and you will find some different toys listed but this is a pretty good representative list of the toys that Toys R'Us finds to be big sellers at present. There are some new items on there which were not available l;ast year. The LeapPad Explorer is a tablet computer designed for kids. It is much like the adult tablets such as iPad which are a favorite gift this year. There is something for everyone on these toy lists so browse and take your choice.You will find more information about popular toys at  Toys for sale

                                                 

Top 10 Toys Christmas 2011

The top 10 toys listed on Amazon for 2011 are as follows:

 

(1.)Perplexus Maze Game by Plasmart Inc

This is a maze game where players  maneuver a  marble around difficult barriers inside a transparent globe
This is a 3 dimensional experience
You can twist, flip and shift the sphere to in order to maneuver the marble
This is an educational and entertaining toy which develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills
Does not require batteries or setup.

(2.)Wild Planet Hyperdash


Wild Planet Hyper Dash is a challenging game.. It is easy  to learn, but the different skill levels (which you can select) and 4  game modes provide a challenge for all skills. Hyper Dash has an electronic tagger and five numbered different targets. The electronic tagger plays  music and tells you which targets  to strike. It also tracks the time taken in completing each course. The distance between targets is unlimited. Distant targets provide  more running and excellent exercise. Hyper Dash is a game which is suitable for play either indoors or outdoors; for teams, pairs or solo players. The  commands becomes longer and  challenge you more as your skill increases.. Level one calls out only  the colors for you to tag, level two adds numbers as well as colors and level three adds special commands of a wide variety of types. You can also play the Micro Dash--the memory game and for yet more variety you can play multi-player relay races which need teamwork.

(3.) Lego Creator Winter Toy Shop

Christmas is coming, and this is the busiest time in any toy maker's workshop! This toy includes a wonderful shop  with toys, tools,  and a lighted tower window. Outdoors there are minifigures singing carols by  lamp post, skiing on the snow, playing with snowballs, building a snowman and  decorating the huge Christmas tree with a  lights and presents and a star.


(4.)Techno Gears Marble Mania
Techno Gears Marble Mania Twin Turbo Trax is a fun marble game which has 2 spring powered marble launchers, 2 tracks which allow 2 players to compete with each other. There are blinking lights, chrome racing tracks and a  trophy. Twin Turbo Trax is  fun and competition for the  family!

(5.) Critter Christmas 2011
Calico Critters Christmas 2011 set  is produced in a Limited Edition Set and  be available while supplies last.

 Features
A Cat dressed in a Santa Claus Suit
Comfrey Rabbit twin and Magnolia Mouse Twin are included
A miniature townhome
White teddy bear
Included are Santa's white bag, wreath, and stocking and the box

(6.) Matchbox Rocky The Robot Truck-Deluxe Rocky
An interactive dump truck
Rocky says over 100 phrases while talking, and tells jokes while interacting with kids.
Rocky sleeps and he snores
A finalist for the10th Annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards

Matchbox Rocky the Robot Truck by Mattel is an interactive dump truck  for children aged three and up. Driving, dumping,lifting, dancing and also talking this toy is a boy's friend.  Rocky can say over 100 phrases and has lots of jokes. Get Rocky to help out instead of doing all the work yourself

(7.) Hot Wheels R/C Stealth Rides Racing Car
 The foldable RC Stealth Rides Racing Car by Hot Wheels gives you speed with portability and control
This is the first  Hot Wheels RC vehicle which folds
Fits in a small carrying case when folded!
The carrying case is also the controller!
Unfolds to into a fully functionable R/C car
Performs high-speed turns and soins.  This mini racing car is about 3 inches long and can be folded for storage in it's controller/car holder. Take  this  foldable, portable car to playmates houses for high speed racing. You have full control of the RC Stealth Rides Racing Car by Hot Wheels with high speed, and portability. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

(8.) Playmobil Advent Calendar-Christmas In The Forest

The 24-day countdown to Christmas Eve is enjoyed by all kids
Every day  has a separate box with a surprise inside it.
Celebrate the Christmas with cute forest animals
The main theme is feeding time

(9.) Fisher-Price Disney's Dance Star Mickey
Kids can dance with their friend Mickey Mouse when he comes to life dancing .  Dance Star Mickey walks, talks, and dances and kids love him. He performs an unbelievable grand finale for one of his signature performances. Dance Star Mickey comes to life when you press his foot for a wonderful experience that makes kids want to get up, be active and dance along with Mickey. Mickey dances to 6 different songs with   disco, Latin techno, and the Moonwalk styles. Dance Star Mickey includes interactive games that  children and parents will laugh and dance along to

(10.) Barbie Pink 3-Storey Dream Townhouse
Barbie's townhouse has a pink personal elevator, with sounds and lights at every stop!
Barbie has a pop up flat screen tv
The Barbie signature bathroom  is very luxurious
There is an outdoor whirlpool tub  and Tiki lights
The doorbell,fireplace, kitchen timer, flush toilet and shower humming sounds are all heard.  .
 .

Check out these toys and many more top toys at our website Toys 

See all of the top toys for the season through this link to Amazon:  Top Toys

Video Games To Play On Your PC Or Mac Computer

                                                               
Video games are  immensely popular of course, and they are fun to play. The good news is that you can buy them now for quite low prices and in some cases even for free.
A massive selection of thousands of video games is available for your PC or Mac computer which you can browse through. The greatest number of these games are in CD ROM or in DVD format and a selection is available as downloads.

The great thing about these video games is their low cost and high quality. A large number of them are priced at less than $10, and some can be had for under $1.  I see that there are even some free game downloads for the taking.

There are many top choice games there to select from. To name just a couple of them "Call Of Duty" is listed there, and also listed is "The Lost Tomb".  Those two great games are certainly biggie names in the field of video games.

You can also find "Scrabble", "Hoyle Puzzle And Board Games" and "Hasbro Family Games",  just to name three interesting selections, which are available for you buy for a quite low price. These types of games are fun to play, and break away from the very common kind of games, which involve a lot of violence and are so numerous.

"The Big Kahuna Reef" is an interesting game you can download for free and you can also get "Ship Simulator Extreme" for zero dollars. No doubt there are more freebie choices if you do a search for them and the selection of games listed is ever changing.

Where should you look for these great games?   See all of them and a lot more interesting stuff by checking our website Toys For Sale

                                                         

Transformers Dark Of The Moon Optimus Prime Figure

                                                                 
The Transformers Dark Of The Moon Optimus Prime transformer figure is most impressive on first sight  and is armed with enough power to handle any of his enemies. The lights on the weapons glow, there are very realistic battle noises and  the sounds of missiles launching which are enough to tell any enemy that they are going to be going to be in serious trouble with this opponent.

Your Optimus trailer can be quickly transformed into Omega combat armor format to take care of the big battles. You can also deploy his wings, his energy collection panels and his Super Cannon weapon..

This robot warrior transformer converts into a truck version which features a lot of great lights and realistic sounds. The transformer includes the trailer which is quickly transformable into the Omega combat Armor format, and the Optimus Prime figure will fits inside this armor.

Once the big fight is all over, and the enemy has definitely been completely destroyed the warrior figure transforms back into the truck format and it then drives away to be ready for the next fight.

 The Optimus Prime warrior has the fabulous super cannon which can be quickly deployed at the same time as the extendable wings and energy collecting panels for the ultimate power.  The weapon's glowing lights, realistic sounds of roaring battles and missile launching noises are a feature of this transformer.

Read more about this great transformer figure at our website: Toys For Sale

Where can you buy Dark Of The Moon  Optimus Prime? We search for the best deals and discounts every day. Look at what we found at Amazon: