Plastic Toys: Dimestore Dreams of the 40s & 50s [Hardcover]

Bill Hanlon (Author), Bill Harlon (Author), David Belda (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1993

This tremendously informative book is the most complete source for collectible plastic toys. Over 850 vivid color photographs display plastic toys-from cars, trucks, and airplanes to dolls and dollhouse furniture-supplemented by manufacturers' diagrams and molders' marks. Industry development from the 1930s through the 1960s is discussed, with attention to wartime changes in plastic toys production. With charm and light touch, Bill Hanlon explains technical facts of the plastics industry and provides down-to-earth, useful information on how to evaluate, repair, and care for your collection. For the detail-hungry collector, there is an extensive price guide and a chapter on researching and identifying individual pieces. Hanlon also presents significant information that has only recently come to light, providing a means of identifying toys whose origins until now were a complete mystery.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Hanlon is a designer of modern toys and a toy collector with more than 20 ears experience reveling in the dimestore world. He lives in Castro Valley, California. Photographer David Belda specializes in custom projects at his studio in Oakland, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088740460X
• ISBN-13: 978-0887404603
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,441,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book for plastic toy collectors., April 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Plastic Toys: Dimestore Dreams of the 40s & 50s (Hardcover)

This book is a must for anyone who collects plastic toys. While it is a great source for identification info and a fair price guide, it's real value is as a coffee table book to show your friends. The photography is beautiful and really brings back memories. Don't miss buying a copy while they are still available.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Toy Collector's Dream, July 23, 2009

By 

John Lee Payton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plastic Toys: Dimestore Dreams of the 40s & 50s (Hardcover)

This is one of my favorite books. New to collecting plastic toys, and knowing Bill Hanlon's history with toys, I had to have it and it has been worth every penny. The text is well written and both enjoyable and informative. The photos are terrific. The organization is a bit of a surprise but works very well: The book is organized by type of toy, i.e., automobiles and ambulances, Jeeps, Boats, Airplanes & Helicopters, and of course many more. This layout makes finding what you want less difficult than the traditional grouping by maker, in my opinion. Well, I could go on and on but the bottom line is that this is a great book and you will never regret adding it to your collecting library. - John in Texas

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, February 4, 2008

By 

Progressive (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plastic Toys: Dimestore Dreams of the 40s & 50s (Hardcover)

This is indeed an excellent book. Other than the price! But it's superbly illustrated, all in color, well bound, and well organized. Most importantly, I have yet to find a desirable vintage plastic toy that is not in the book. All collectible books should be this good.