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Toy Times Comments
I grew up with toy tractors in the late 1970's and early 1980's. In 1986 I attended my first toy show in Geneseo, NY and became a collector. I was only 10 years at the time but realized as I walked around the show with my dad just how collectible farm toys were. When I started collecting the farm toy hobby was just moving into the era of collectors editions and shelf editions. Through the late 1970's farm toys were just considered toys. People here and there collected them but toy makers like Ertl produced their toys for the general toy market. Tractor dealers were the most common place to purchase farm toys. The only toys were the current product offerings of the brand which was often a 1/16 tractor, 1/24 scale combine, 1/16 plow, disk, wagon and a 1/64 tractor. During this time period it was possible to collect it all. After the Toy Farmer Magazine started bringing collectors together in 1977 the farm toy hobby became more and more organized. Collectors started to grow in numbers and demand for additional farm toys grew. In the 1980's collectors had to shift gears as additional farm toys hit the market. It was recommended during this era of collecting that collectors pick one brand. By the 1990's collectors had 1/16, 1/32, 1/43, 1/64, and 1/87 scale to collect. There were 4wds, 2wds, combines, implements, custom, scratch built, collectors, and shelf editions to pick from in each brand. Over whelmed? With the hobby entering its 27th year the choices keep coming. In December 2003 John Deere announced over 50 new items from Ertl. Add in CNH and AGCO brand toys made by Ertl, Scale Models, Spec-Cast, Die-Cast Promotions and C&D Models, a collector has unlimited choices. This months issue of the Toy Tractor Times will share our authors interests in collecting and hopefully help you manage your focus in the wide world of farm toys.
Al Van Kley of www.vankleyfarmtoys.com was kind to share his 12 tips of collecting with TTT. Al has been in the farm toy business for over 20 years and helps many collectors keep their collections up to date.
Best advice: (A dozen tips to collecting)
1. Collect whatever you want.
2. Collecting is for fun enjoy it.
3. Its your money buy what interests you.
4. Most all farm toy dealers will treat you fair listen to their advice ask questions.
5. Prices on a toy varies between rough, good, repaint, mint, and new the package/box.
6. Know the difference between originals, customs, repaints, and reproductions (find out who built the toy)
7. Investment should not be the main reason for collecting farm toys (in most cases).
8. Most farm toys hold their value some go up and some go down.
9. Farm toys left in their original packages will always have more value.
10. Farm toy auctions set a value for pricing many toys attend some farm toy auctions.
11. Check farm toy websites; Look at e-bay, but be careful.
12. The farm toy world is a great bunch of people attend some farm toy shows and meet them
Next month TTT will feature the 2004 St. Louis Toy Show. If you would like to join the TTT author list or share an article please contact Michael Henry at michaelghenry@yahoo.com.
Until the next "Times"
Jay
20th Anniverary Toy Tractor Times Tractor
The 20th Anniversary TTT Tractor is on the way. The AC 7030 was expected to be released by Ertl in February. Unfortunately Ertl has had a production delay and will not be able to deliver the TTT tractor until May 1st. We apologize for the delay. As soon as the model arrives each order will be sent out to by UPS to ensure the fastest delivery possible. We are working with Ertl on the 2004 model and will review the process to avoid future delays. We appreciate our readers support of the TTT tractors going back to 1986.
Although the AC 7030 is not out yet, we can share a picture of the box. The picture above is the front of the TTT AC 7030 box. With 1,092 models to be produced the collectors box should make this TTT tractor stand out in the collectors market. This is the first of five 1970's TTT tractors and the box has a special #1 graphic. The box will use the Allis-Chalmers logo and "Open Your Eyes & Compare" logo in several places. The history of the AC 7030 will be given on the back of the box and collectors points on the 1/16 model will be given on the sides.
February 7, 2004, marked the 200th birthday of Deere&Company founder John Deere. When John Deere crafted his famous steel plow in his blacksmith shop in 1837, he also forged the beginnings of Deere & Company a company that has not only survived 166 years, but has grown into a worldwide corporation that today does business in more than 160 countries. One day, in 1837, John spotted a broken saw blade in the corner of a sawmill and asked the owner if he could take it back to his shop. There John Deere fashioned the world's first successful steel plow, and in doing so, opened up the West to agricultural development.
To help mark
John Deere's 200th Birthday Ertl will produce a set of 4 1/16 Tractors
and a 10 piece 1/64 historical tractors. The 1/16 models will
include the BW on Steel with
Umbrella set for release in February. The #2 4520 with
Hiniker cab and duals will be released in May. #3 the John Deere
4020 w/cab will follow in July and #4 the John Deere 830 will
round out the set in August. 200 Gold Plated 1/16 models
will be randomly inserted in each model production run. The 1/64 set
includes a Waterloo Boy, Unstyled B, B, 730, 4020, 4430, 4450 w/duals,
8400 and 9520 w/triples. These tractor represent each decade of tractor
production at the John Deere Waterloo Works. Collectors have long
awaited a 1/64 version of the 450 hp 9520.
Click on the Picture to Enter The Article
Starting a 1/64 Collection
1/16 Scale Collecting: What is Rare?
Collecting
Includes the Family Farm, Work, CAT Power and Pilling
Farm Toy Catalogs and Brochures
Oliver 660
Popular Collectible Pieces
AGCO Heritage Farm
1970's 4wds Making a Big Come Back: Part I
2004 Calendars
Alan Chesnut's 1/16 4wds
18 TTT Anniversary Tractors: #3 1988 Minneapolis-Moline V
Tractor Travels
By Don Barnett
reprinted from the February 1993 TTT
$79 for 1 year
$42 for 6 months
$10 per month
Business Cards $2 per-month
E-mail Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com for more information. TTS-Times is not responsible for sales between advertisers and private parties.
Month Date, State, Place: ??th
Annual Show from ?? a.m. to ??
p.m. at the Location -
Hall, 123 4th Street North. For information call (555) 555-1234. E-mail:
me@mail.com
Please follow this format or we can not list your show. Visit www.toytractorshow.com/toy_shows.htm to see the current show listings and look for a show listing page in the April Toy Tractor Times.
The March Toy Tractor Times will be titled "Back From the Other Big Show." Like our November issue covering the National Farm Toy Show the March TTT will look at the St. Louis Farm Toy Show in depth. Look for full coverage of the displays, custom built toys, toy dealers and other events.
Click on the picture to reach the issue archive available to all members.
Daltons
Farm Toys
Your 1/64 Farm toy headquarters!!!
We
specialize in out of production and hard to find 1/64 farm toys.
Over
800 items listed on our website with pictures of every item.
Editor ...............................................Michael Henry, New Castle, PA
Vice-Webmaster ..............................Noel Stevenson, Caledonia, NY
Contributing Writers: (alphabetical order)
Dan Adamson, Macedon, NY ................................... 1/64 Variations
Phil Alstaetter, Newville, OH .................Precision Classic Outlook
Michael Henry, New Castle, PA ..............Pedaling Around Pennsylvania
Doug Harke, Geneseo, NY ..........................................1/16 Variations
Gordy Schultz, Oshkosh, WI ...............................The Literature Rack
Jim Simpson, Boiling Springs, PA .........................Tractor Companions
Dave Tallon, Ill ........................................................... Tallon Tips
Jason Hasert, Hopkinsville, KY .......................Keeping Current with 64th
Jason Hasert, Hopkinsville, KY ........................ What is Hot in 64th
Jason Hasert, Hopkinsville, KY..................... Down on the Model Farm
Jason Hasert, Hopkinsville, KY......................Things That used to Be
Would you like to write an article for The Toy Tractor Times? Every one is welcome to participate.
E-mail the Editor Michael Henry at michaelghenry@yahoo.com
TTT
February 2004 Page 1