Vintage Toys

Uncle Wiggily: Classic Children’s Board Game Holds Its Value (Photo)

Posted on June 17, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

 

Uncle Wiggily: 1988 Milton Bradley versionAccording to Wikipedia, Uncle Wiggily  — along with Candy Land — is considered a classic juvenile American board game. Oddly enough for me, and even for my daughter, we never played the game. In my childhood — and my daughter’s — Monopoly was the game of choice, although my daughter did introduce me to Risk and Stratego.

Uncle Wiggily is based on a children’s story character created in 1910 by Howard R. Garis. The board game was introduced by the Milton Bradley Company in 1916 and the company revised the game at least three times: 1923, 1949, and 1955. The game is now owned by Hasbro.

During the early years (before 1930) a few variations of the game were also created like Put a Hat on Uncle Wiggily.

Description
The game is designed for 2-4 players and for children ages 4 and older. It is a game of chance so there isn’t a strategy per se because players roll the dice and draw cards trying to be the first to arrive at Dr. Possum’s house.

Value
I own the 1988 Milton Bradley version which sells for around $30 in sealed MIB condition. The more valuable versions of the game are the one-off versions like Put a Hat on Uncle Wiggily, the pre-1930 versions or even 1950s and 1960s versions in nice condition. These versions can sell for $30-$60 based on year produced and condition of game.

Resources
To learn more about the game, its various versions and their values visit BoardGameGeek or the Elliott Avedon Virtual Museum of Games.

Categories: board games, Vintage Toys | Tags: ,

3M Bookshelf Games and 3M Sports Games Booklet (Photo)

Posted on May 7, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

3M-bookletI found this booklet inside a 1964 version of the 3M Stocks & Bonds Bookshelf game. The booklet includes descriptions for several of their games. I transcribed some of the information to use as a reference.

Bookshelf Games

  • Bazaar (Ga-290) involves strategic trading and retrading which enables players to gain the right combination of colored tokens to purchase colorful Wares displayed at the Bazaar.
  • Phlounder (GA-100) is the action word game in which players race to build the right word and be the first to ring the bell.
  • Twixt (GA-110) invloves chess-like strategy as each player attempts to build an uninterrupted chain of linked pegs “twixt” his borders before his opponent can do the same.
  • Oh-Wah-Ree (GA-120) is an ancient and absorbing pit-and-pebble game. Players capture pebbles by “sowing” pebbles from the most strategically located pit.
  • Acquire (GA-140), the game of hotel investments, fascinates players as they attempt to gain the most wealth by building and investing in hotel chains.
  • Jumpin (GA-150) is an absorbing game of pawns for 2 players or 2 teams.
  • Quinto (GA-160) holds the fascination of numbers as each player attempts to obtain the highest score possible by playing up to five tiles totaling 5 or a multiple of 5 in a straight row.
  • Stocks & Bonds (GA-170) lets each player buy and sell stocks and bonds as he tries to become the wealthiest player in the game.
  • Breakthru (GA-180) is a unique double-strategy game for two. Gold player tries to escort his flagship to safety on perimeter of board while silver player tries to capture it.
  • High Bid (GA-190) is the exciting auction game in which players try to complete valuable collections by outbidding and out-bluffing their opponents.
  • Facts in Five (GA-260) is the stimulating game of knowledge that pits up to five players against each other — and time.

Sports Games

  • Thinking Man’s Golf (GA-240) is for a single player or as many as four. The game featured 18 of the best golf holes in the U.S.
  • Big League Baseball (GA-230) involves all the skills and strategy of the professional game. Each player manages his own team. Designed for two players.
  • Pro Football (GA-220) is for grandstand quarterbacks of all ages. It involves the player in the strategy of professional football as the player tries to lead his team to victory.
  • Win, Place & Show (GA-250) is for racing fans of all ages and can be played by three to six players. Each player receives $50,000 to buy good horses in the auction before each race and to make bets.
  • Regatta (GA-300) will fascinate the experienced sailor and landlubber alike as they participate in the excitement and challenge of an official yacht race.

EduPLAYtional Games

  • Teach Key Reading & Spelling (E 1100) unlocks the wonder of words for youngsters. For ages 5 to 8.
  • Teach Key Math (E 1200) unfolds the fascination of numbers as mini-mathematicians solve simple addition and subtraction problems. For ages 5 to 8.
  • Sum Times (E 1500), the game that makes numbers fun, provides merry multiplication with a mathematical crossword. For ages 8 to 12.
  • Egghead or Chicken (E 1900), the exciting new quiz game, involves fun and facts. Players pick a question and state their answers. Eggheads thinks they know the answer – Chickens guess. For ages 7 to 12.
Categories: board games, Vintage Toys

Recent thrift store find includes valuable 70s kid’s book

Posted on May 5, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

childrens-bookShopping at thrift stores became a hobby for me several years ago. Inside the stores, I have found a wide range of historical games and toys — and I have become somewhat skilled at knowing if an item has value. Although, every now and then, I cheat and look up items on eBay while shopping, I prefer to trust my instinct and see if — after I have spent my money — my hunch was correct.

Children’s Book Catches My Eye

I do sell some of the stuff I find, but with books it’s a little different because often I am just looking for something interesting to read. But when I saw a copy of the children’s book Edith & Little Bear Lend a Hand I was pretty sure the book would have some value (and yes, I decided to cheat before I paid for it). Sure enough, the 1972 edition is worth up to $140 for hardback versions with a dust jacket. Mine fits the bill, except the dust jacket is ripped in several places. I haven’t decided yet if I want to sell it, because it is just a cool-looking book and the photographs capture New York City in the early 1970s.

Dare Wright

Dare Wright, the book’s author, was an intriguing individual. Although, born in Canada in 1914, due to her parents divorce, she actually grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. As an adult, she moved to New York City where she modeled, performed theatre and eventually found her niche as a photographer.

The book I found was not her first. Wright found success with a 1957 children’s book called The Lonely Doll. That book, which also featured Edith, made the New York Times best seller list and in 2010, British newspaper The Guardian named it one of the 10 best illustrated children’s books of all times.

Learn More

If you want to learn more about Dare, read the online memoir written by her godchild Ashley Brook. The memoir offers insight into the creative genius — and personal struggles — that defined Dare Wright. While on the site, you can also view photos from Dare’s books.

If you are simply interested in reading the books (without paying collector prices) many of the books have been reissued, including the one I purchased. Edith & Little Bear Lend a Hand was re-released in 2013.

Disclaimer

I know there are reality TV shows where people make a living just by picking — I doubt if the average person can do that. Even with my best finds and consequent sales — if you counted the hours spents and the money earned — I could’ve made more money wearing a vest and greeting people as they walked into Wal-Mart.

But it is a really fun hobby.

Categories: American History, Children's Books, Thrift Store Treasures, Vintage Toys