As I mention earlier in the month, I would be attending three shows this month. I was glad to have the shows as I was getting cabin fever. The first show was a toy show at Merchants Square in Allentown. The show is held twice a year March and December. The March show has been the worse for me finding things. This year was the worse as I did not find anything. This was due to the fact that was less plastic and what plastic was too common or over price. I did have good time talking to friends.
The next show was the Toy Soldier and Toy Show held in Edison NJ. This show used to be up at a hotel up in the Meadowlands, but moved two years ago to Edison. We did not go last year because I was sick. The show was held at the New Jersey Convention Center and was one of three shows going on that day, the others were a travel show and craft show. Laurie and I went down to show and arrived an hour after it opened. When we entered the show there was no crowd waiting and we walked right in. The show had a wide range of items mostly metal. The plastic was either overpriced or had been repainted. I did find a few things to buy. I had hope to get the CTS Communist Chinese, but they were not out yet. Once again the fun part was talking to friends. while we were sitting with one friend he introduced us to a person that has a sustainable farm. It is really an organic farm, but if he uses that term he can get into legal problems. This person that relative of his ended up in the German Navy even though he was from Italy. It seem the part of Italy he was from was claimed by the Germans and he was drafted. What made it ironic is his two older brothers were in the Italian navy. Italian law only allowed you to draft two brothers from a family so his father thought he was safe. This person survived the war.
One dealer was surprised that he was selling plastic and playsets as he usually only sells metal at that show. There were several toy dealers that had a wide range of toys. I saw our friend John got a partial dinosaur playset with vacuum form terrain. After about two hours, Laurie and I left and stopped at the Clinton Diner. They have a great salad bar and we end up with leftovers to take home.
The last toy show I did this month was the Maryland Toy Show. Laurie had to work so I went by myself. The drive is about two and half hours as it all highway to the show and it is easy to get to. I arrived at the Timonium Fairgrounds and found that place was packed. This was due to a gun show being run in a different building. I had to park in the back, which was not bad as the toy show was in a different location so it was not as big of a walk. I arrived an hour after the opening and could walk right in. Because the layout was different I had to look for my friends. I walked up one row and down another. Along the way I found a Crescent 54mm Robin Hood. As I got to the first real plastic dealers Carey and Mark Hageman. Carey always has good stuff for sale and I was able to buy a few mixed bags of figures. One of my challenges is to buy bags and see if I can make a profit from it. I was also able to buy some individual figures. I got from Mark a Benbros British Khaki army kneeling for my collection. Mark had been on diet and running and has lost weight and looks great. Mark many unusual Marx figures and sold a complete set of the Marx 60mm Union soft plastic in olive green.
From there I went to our very good friend Gerry Watts’ and his wife Emily’s stand. Gerry had a plethora of loose plastic pieces in different prices to select from. I found a number items for resale, but nothing for myself. Gerry also had toys and doll furniture for sale. Gerry had more items that he could have bought but did not have the room to bring it along.
I also stopped at another very good friend Chris Lamont who deals in action figures. He had planned to get to the show early on Friday to set up, but because of the weather and the van acting up go to show on Friday only an hour before it close so he just shove his stuff on the tables.
Walking around, I saw less plastic than previous years. I saw two playsets one was a farm. I saw Alan and Betty Ford who were walking around. Tom Stein said he bought the most he has every bought at the show. Tom was debating whether to buy a world’s Fair dinosaur, but held back due to the price. Pat, Tom friend also seemed to be buying.
One interesting story from the show, a dealer had a Remco Big Caesar with a box. The Big Caesar was not complete but had perfect sails a person needed to complete his Big Caesar. The person bought the Big Caesar, but left the box behind with the dealer. The dealer later sold the box to someone else.
After two hours of roaming I headed for home.
Ok,admin ,you should mount a toy show tour business and rent a bus for travelling around ,charge $10.00 per collector seat and take then there. I was saying as you are in the center of toy show world all around and know where is all. WOW!!!
Erwin, you can say that again. The closest I’ve ever been to a toy show is about four hours away in the northern part of the State, or Atlanta. Have to fight envy when I hear of all these shows going on. Of course, my wife and I try to make it to the San Antonio Show every year or two because we both love the city – the show is icing on the cake. One year I hope to make the Hajj to Chicago; it has just always been at a bad time of year for me, though. One day…
Wayne
We are lucky with the number show we have in this area. Back when I started collecting it was only one or two. It has grown since then. shortly the flea market season will start and we will have more sources for material.
It was good to see you and you too are looking well.
I got the Big Ceasar box as I have 4-5 ships but only 2 boxes (one being a plain brown mail order box)
I did very well at the show and have money to spend at Gettysburg and Wheeling.
I try to only spend what I make from sales – it is a way to keep the collection from taking over the whole house.
Mark
I thought your collection did take over your house. LOL
A box is an important thing as it enhances the value. Nothing wrong in having more than one ship.
It was good seeing you at the Merchant’s Square show and Edison show. Your observations for both were right on target. I also like to add that at Merchants Square there were some empty tables, which the promoter had the adjoining dealers spread out on. Also, most of the toys were common and high priced. Toy shows at Merchant Square are held a week or two after the big First Frost & Spring Thaw Train & Toy Show. They are big 600 table shows held in Allentown’s Ag Hall, maybe that has something to do with slow sales and lack of quality offerings at the Merchants Square toy show? Of their two shows, the December show has proven to be the better show in terms of sales. Perhaps that’s because of buyers’ pre-Christmas enthusiasm?
Lots of metal at the Edison show and not much plastics at all. I noticed that
Wm. Britains Ltd. Edition sets from the 1990s weren’t selling. One vendor had ten tables filled with them, priced right, and I think by day’s end he sold only a couple of sets. Yet, good quality ancient Britains were selling briskly There were also a lot of toys available for sale, since the show is really two shows in one, but I did not see many toys moving off of vendor’s tables.
Bill
It was good seeing you at the Merchants Square show. I had heard from other source that there were empty spaces. I do not think the train show affected it as the promoters of the train show are very strict on what dealers can sell, it must be train related. I know people have been told to remove items or they will be asked to leave.
On the Edison show I did not see a lot of packages. also the dealers were sitting around bored. I saw the same thing at the Maryland show. There were pockets of success at each show.
The MFCA Valley Forge show and the Gettysburg show are coming up end of April/beginning of May. I’m planning on attending both, if I do, I’ll pass my reactions.
George
Please give us reports on MFCA show and Gettysburg. I will not be attending those shows. I am passing on the MFCA as the last few times I found very little and I do not like their policy you have to buy a two day pass even though you will be there one day. they have lost a number of dealers because of the high cost of tables due to a peddler license each dealer has to get.
Gettysburg is a hassle for me to drive. I know my friends John and Mike do it, but there is no super highway and I have to drive through these little towns and seems endless.
I am also passing on West Virginia because of the cost for boarding the boys and a hotel room. I feel I can use that money toward buying goods from local sources.
I wouldn’t mind living on the East Coast, where I could conveniently attend the New Jersey, Gettysburg, and West Virginia Shows, along with all the smaller, but numerous venues, like Maryland and Allentown.
We’ve got it almost as good here in the Midwest. We’ve got Chicago, absolutely the best, but then only the Indiana show as a comparatively big show featuring exclusively toy soldiers. I now look at Barry Carter’s Indy website and see the April show is up to 52 confirmed dealers, which makes it larger than last year. Fortunately, Rick Eber, Allan Ford, Francis Taylor, and John Stengel are willing to travel a little to get out here. Rick Egan, Larry Lovely, Borris/Kutnick, Gary Miller, and Toymeister are already here. And I’m happy to note that Eric Koopmeiners from Wisconsin is now confirmed to attend as well. I’m sure, Paul, that at least a couple of us will forward some comments on the Indy Show when it’s finished. It’s now 21 days away from the beginning of Friday room trading.
Don
I know you can not wait for the Indy show. It sounds like fun. It is a little bit out of my roaming range these days. I am sure the readers will appreciate any reports on the show.
I’m sure I’ll have a few comments. It is always interesting to compare the different perspectives people have at shows. One guy can have a great show while some one else’s show stinks.
I bought the big caesar- it was not in great shape but I repaired it and got it working. I left the box behind due to the difference in the price with/without box and since I had a big caesar box already. The one with the toy was a bit beat up and had quite a bit of water staining. This is a good show though.
Welcome Tank
It is great to hear the other side of the story. Glad you to hear you got the Big Caesar working as it is great toy. I agree that the box was not in the best of shape, the person was happy with it.
Yes it is a good show. My wife Laurie and I enjoy going to show, it was too bad that Laurie had to work this time.