385. All Shook Up: MR. PEANUT SALT 'N PEPPER SHAKERS

Planters Peanuts is largely unknown in the Philippines, but is an American product icon, first produced in 1906 by Italian immigrant Amedeo Obici,in partnership with Mario Peruzzi. The branc character--Mr. Peanut--came about when a contest was launched in 1916,won by schoolboy Antonio Gentile who sent in a drawing of a human peanut with legs. An artist later added a monocle, a walking stick and a tophat. Mr. Peanut became a merchandising success, turned into coin banks, mugs, glasses, pins, buttons, coloring books, cloth dolls--and even into salt and pepper shakers, such as this pair. I found this in a shop in downtown Somerville, in New Jersey, while on a short vacation. There were so many of them there, that it was kinda hard to choose, but these two, I thought, were the most attactive and functional, Mr. Peanut collectibles were made in dizzying varieties and are so plentiful, that they are easily found, and so affordable, they literally cost--well--peanuts!

382. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: SOAKIES SET:

In the 1960s, to  make taking a bath a more fun experience for kids, Colagte Palmolive packaged its shampoo in plastic figural containers in the shape of popular cartoon characters. The result is the Soaky Bubble Bottle--which children can play with, while soaked in a bath! These "soakies" depicted scores of characters that included Bozo the Clown, Batman and Robin, Snow White, Casper, Dick Tracy, Flintstones, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Smokey the Bear, Popeye, and later--the Muppets and characters from Star Wars. the unique play bottles became instant collectibles and are now sought after today mostly by baby boomer collectors who grew up taking a shower with these plastic shampoo "toy" bottles. Generally very affordable, there are soakies that are hard to find and therefore more expensive--like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, which starts at $100!!. Similar bottles are still being made today--so that's good news for folks who want to soak in the happiness of showering with a favorite toy!!

366. I'm A-Coming For You!!!: TALKING BEANY MATTEL DOLL,1961

Remember Beany and the sea-sick sea serpent, Cecil?  The unlikely duo was an animated cartoon series created by Bob Clampett for the ABC Television, based on the TV puppet show Time for Beany, produced for Paramount Pictures in 1949. The cartoon series first appeared in Matty's Funday Funnies in 1959, and peaked in popularity in the 60s as The Beany and Cecil Show.

Many toys were inspired by this hit cartoon--including the best-selling Beany and Cecil puppets. This Mattel-made talking doll of Beany is another fine example, showing minimal wear and nice intact seams. Made in 1961, Beany still talks, although he says his name in jibberish. His trademark beanycopter propeller is there, although broken. This awesome doll was purchased on ebay--with 2 bonus plastic tumblers of Beany and Cecil thrown in!!

351. Top That! VINTAGE WEDDING CAKE TOPPER

 Those "Japan Surplus" stores burgeoning around many towns and cities are becoming popular haunts for collectibles. This vintage wedding topper,for example, was found in a nearby shop, just a few steps away from my place!  In fact, I just walked right in, did some quick rummaging and came up with this nice topper, not too old, but with lots of vintage appeal.

This must probably be a surplus piece--it came in a box without a cover. The topper is unusued; the husband and wife plastic figurine stands on a latticework base decorated with feathers and fabric flowers. A hundred bucks and it was mine! Now, all I need is a fancy wedding cake!!!

338. He Is The Greatest Collectible: MUHAMMAD ALI BOXING PUPPET

A very amusing puppet I found on ebay--it's a plastic-headed boxing doll made in the likeness of Muhammad Ali or "Cassius Clay" in his younger days. Good thing the dealer was from the Philippines, so I coaxed him into pulling this out from the auction and selling it to me outright. Never mind if it's missing a glove. Made in Hong Kong in the late 60s, this mechanized puppet has a lever that you push hidden under his robe--that triggers him into a jabbing frenzy!

Boxing puppets like these are still being made today (I saw one recently, with the likeness of Saddam Hussein), but this vintage example has a charm that made me float like a butterfly and which stung me like a bee! :-). Muhammad Ali--you, indeed, are the greatest!

336. TUMBLING CLOWN ACROBATS

Look at these "Tumbling Clown" plastic acrobat mechanical toys that I found with original box intact. Dating from the 60s, they were made by a plastic toy firm in Malabon--proudly Philippine made!

The pieces are surprising intact after all these years, save for a missing plastic tab or two. The assembly is very simple--one had to snap together the plastic framework pieces to form a sort of a tower. 

Then, all you had to do was set the clowns--which were connected together with a see-saw-like crosspiece--on the topmost ramp of the tower. A little nudge will cause the clowns to "tumble" down in a teeter-totter motion, complete with a jingle-jangle sound--no batteries, no electricity needed! Just plain, simple fun! Just the way childhood should be!

Now, let me do that again....

320. Cheap but Charming: CELLULOID DOLLS

The invention of "celluloid" -- a kind of plastic created from wood prpducts in 1863--put an end to breakable dolls of china, bisque and porcelain.It was a popular material for a wide range of manufactured items---such as jewelry, fashion accessories, and of course, dolls. Beginning in the 1930s cheap dolls were moulded from this new plastic, and these small examples--no more than 3 inches in height--attest to the versatility of the material. These souvenir dolls representing natives of countries around teh world, date from the 50s/60s, and they were all old store stock. They are strung with elastic, and many come complete with moving, googlie eyes.

Dolls such as these were also given away as party favors, or as prizes in fiesta events. Some made great cake toppers. They made great collectibles for kids who aimed to complete their "nations of the world costume collection" with every purchase. Some of these dolls that you see here, are dressed also as harlequins and carnival waifs.  Celluloid, however, was not the perfect plastic, since it is flammable and deteriorates easily if exposed to moisture, also prone to cracking and yellowing. Nevertheless, toymakers capitalized on the new material, by mass-producing charming items that never fail to delight kids--just like these mid-century dollies, who ontinue to find favor among toy collectors!

314. How To Enter the Dragon: BRUCE LEE KEY CHAIN

Saw this cheap, plastic martial arts key chain in a Cubao thrift shop. The small, 2.5 in. figure is gold painted, and I assumed it to be Bruce Lee, who first appeared as Kato on the Green Hornet 60s TV series. Of course, he is better known as THE kung-fu master of all times! The figure holds a pair of nanchuks (chaku) and is poised to demolish the door if the key doesn't work! Bruce Lee souvenirs--as well as martial arts collectibles, are not hot items at the moment, but that doesn't matter--it's picking for cheap collectibles that gives me a kick!

304. 1970s FLINTSTONES PREMIUM CUPS

The Flintstones, an animated cartoon from Hanna Barbera Productions,  were a stone-age family from Bedrock, with a working class background. Like modern-day families, the Flintstones, along with their neighbors, the Rubbles, the Flinstones, headed by Fred and wife Wilma, had to contend with everyday concerns like eking out a living, issues in the workplace and at home. The cartoon was broadcast from 1 Sep. 1960 to 1 April 1966, and proved to be the most successful cartoon in 3 decades, topped only by the Simpsons. Naturally, Flintstones merchandising were made by the hundreds of thousands. This 1970 set of plastic mugs are from the popular Chewable FLINTSTONES Multiple Brand Vitamins. The plastic promo cups show Fred Flinstones, Dino and daughter Pebbles. They're about 3.75 in. tall and 2.75 in. in diameter. When I found this set in a U.S. flea market being sold for $5, I could not stop myself from screaming..."Yabba Dabba Dooooo"!

280. Pray, Keep Them!: KIDDIE SHELF SITTERS

Shelf sitters were favorite decorations of 1950s-60s homes, and matching figurines such as these adorned fireplace mantles, book shelves and ledges around the house. They were cheaply mass-produced in ceramic, plaster of paris and hard plastic such as this example, showing two kneeling kids in a prayerful pose.

Popular shelf sitters often show couples kissing--there were kissing angels, kissing Orientals, kissing jesters, kissing Senors and Senoritas. There are even some matching figures you can sit on a ledge with their legs dangling. Kooky, kitschy and great space fillers, these shelf sitters are becoming hot collectibles at prices everyone can afford. Find them in thrift shops, white elephant sales, garage sales or even in auction sites (though you will have to shell out a bit more!). And remember, do always buy them in pairs!!

269. ROBBIN'S COIN BANK

ROBBIN' COINS & SAVIN' THEM. A plastic collectible advertising giveaway in the shape of a company mascot. ca. 1970s.

Now, here's a mystery company mascot that I've been trying to identify. I got this 6.5 inch advertising giveawwy at a new, funky vintage store in Cubao recently, and I've been googling all over the net just to identify it--with no luck. This is a figural plastic coin bank of a man with a Cheshire cat grin, wearing a boat hat and holding on to a book.

It is marked "Robbin's", but other than that, his identification eludes me. I thought he had some connection with a fastfood chain. Maybe he's even a trade character for a bank. Any clues?

234. WE THREE KINGS: Nativity Figures

Christmas is still a long way off, but I just have to show this trio of plastic royalties that dates back to the psychedelic 60s. I found these in the weekend Avondale Market in Auckland, NZ--which is basically a farmer's market with a sprinkling of open stalls selling vintage stuff. Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar may have been part of a Nativity set, typical of examples cheaply sold in the 50s and 60s. I couldn't find a manufacturer's mark, maybe these were made in Hong Kong. Holiday collectibles such as these have their own crazy collectors--and I guess I am one of them. Right now, this  merry plastic trio are gathered 'round my little plastic Christmas tree that is displayed year-round in my little house, ready to welcome visitors with their plastic gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense.

217. Advertique: QUAKER OATS COIN BANK

And I thought coin banks were the only favorite giveaways of banking and financial institutions to promote their services! Well, here's one--a plastic figural con bank in the shape of Quaker Oats' company mascot--the Quaker Man. Quaker Oats, world-famous maker of oatmeals, bran and fiber products was founded in 1901--a merger of 4 19th c. milling companies. Quaker Oats adopted the image of the Quaker Man as their company mascot who, according to Quaker partner Henry Seymour represented integrity, honesty, purity —which appropriately personified his company's oat product.The Quaker Man was America's first registered

trademark for a breakfast cereal, his registration taking place on September 4th, 1877. The Quaker Man has recently been modified; not only did he lose 10 pounds but he also lost his double chin!

I have been googling for clues as to the origin of this Quaker Man coin bank, which stands about 6 inches tall, of orange plastic--but no luck so far. I don't know if this was a local premium item--the subsidiary of the U.S. company here is Quaker Oats Philippines Inc.--which really has no tradition of giving promotional giveaways such as this. I would date this from the 60s. When I got this coin bank, it even had a couple of coins inside. When I fished them out, the amount total to 27 pesos, local currency. Subtract this from the 100 pesos price I paid for this kitschy piece--so that leaves us with Php 73! Not bad for a rarely seen Quaker Oats collectible!

158. RHYTHM TOTE

A must-have music accessory for the 50s teen is this vinyl record carrier to store and tote 45 rpm records from one shindig to the next. The "Rhythm Tote" comes with 12 brown paper sleeves where one can slip in his precious discs of Frankie Avalon, Elvis Presley, Sandra Dee, Buddy Holly (..and don't forget those of our very own Diomedes Maturan and Bobby Gonzales!). Many of these cheap plastic teen stuffs were made in Hong Kong--I even remember a vinyl wallet version of this, complete with a mirror! American Bandstand and Dance-o-Rama--here we come!

140. Retro-Plastic: CELEBRITY DESK CALENDAR

A cheap plastic 'perpetual' desk calendar with date, day and month adjustments at the back. Just a turn of the plastic knob will make you up to date for your daily appointments! The featured celebrity is the iconic Audrey Hepburn, who was all the rage in the 50s and 60s ("Sabrina", "Roman Holiday", "Wait Until Dark"). Some may call this too kitschy, but I think it's better than some of the griahsly-designed desk calendars that I receive every New Year!

119. THE LADY IS A LAMP!

Now here's an interesting boudoir lamp that's sure to lighten up any young woman's room. A similar lamp was featured in a 1950s retro book, so when this was found at a garage sale, I just had to bring it home. This American-made lamp is of thin, molded plastic, shaped like a camisoled lady in a strange pose that reminds me of a body builder, no? The skirt is a half-globe with leafy and branch relief--what was the designer thinking? The effect is like a man-eating tree about to swallow a human being. Thankfully, the "ruffle" shade and the base were meant to be covered with fabric to simulate a skirt. This Lady Lamp still works although I dare not use it for fear it would melt if I leave the light on.

114. Holy Batmania! A BATMAN & ROBIN CLOCK

Even the Caped Crusaders have to be reminded of their bat appointments and rescue mission schedules--hence, this bedside plastic clock. I don't even know where I got this, maybe from a downtown surplus store. A quick google search says that that this is actually a Talking Alarm Clock manufactured in 1976. (There's a Snoopy and Raggedy Anne version too, sold at JC Penney's). So is this a toy that tells time? Or is this a clock that one can play? How do I know? Ask the Riddler!

112. STINGRAY SUBMARINE

I hated this show when it aired on Philippine TV in the 1960s. I thought the characters look so fake and so dead. Of course, I didn't know that at that time, Stingray was a breakthrough marionnet show, the first 'supermarionation' series to be filmed in color. Scrpted by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the series ran from 1964-65 which was first screened in the UK before going on syndication in the USA. Stingray was known for its special effects, its haunting music and its submarine scenes that were actually filmed on dry land. But special lighting effects gave the illusion of being underwater, and for two years, Stingray and its crew, headed by the handosme Troy Tempest, enthralled kids as they battled the Titan forces of the deep. This floating propelled model of Stingray comes in its original box and dates to the '60s-- a great find after diving into a heap of junk in a local thrift shop.

30. KISSIN' COUSINS: Salt & Pepper Shaker

Now, isn't this pair cute? Figural hard plastic salt and pepper shakers, meant to be paired for life! They're lucky not to have been separated after all these 40 plus years. (They should be middle-aged by now, but they have been doomed to remained young forever--in a squirrel pose!.) . Cheap, mass-produced Made in Japan plastic ware like this were staples in the kitchen. After use at the dining table, they would have been placed back on the kitchen shelf as a cutesy decor. A flea market find--with a twin-win price tag of--50 cents!

22. POOCH POUCH

Here goes the poodles again--this time, as a handbag incarnate. This very 60s, very chi-chi bag is made from woven plastic, and this whole doggie courting scene starring two black French poodles is preserved over a plastic wrap. A hard plastic twisted handle completes this bag which probably was the talk of many cocktail parties, shindigs and soirees. Found in a U.S, flea market, for a few dollars and scents. Excuse me, I have to walk my bag..