Collecting Toy Soldiers - Vintage Marx Playsets
Jenni Kerala
December 20, 2007
Marx playsets are among the most in demand and sought after collectors' items today. Collecting vintage toys is one interesting hobby; collecting items from Louis Marx and Company makes the activity further interesting and worthwhile. To date, there is a rising number of people who are into buying and collecting the toy soldiers and playsets made by them.
Marx playsets had been among the most sought after and well known toy sets, particularly for their toys created during the 50's, the 60's and the 70's. In those days, every active little boy would have included the toy soldiers and the supporting playsets and other accessories in their Christmas and gift-giving wish lists. Your dad or your grand dad probably would be able to tell you their childhood tales about playing with and enjoying their favorite Marx toys.
Marx playsets are collections of action or military figures and adjoining accessories. The toy soldiers and other figures were given their own miniature environments and accessories so that they could be played with and enjoyed by kids who liked to set up their own miniature battlegrounds or western towns. In the past, such play sets were played individually or along with other kids.
Usually, the themes of such playsets were war-related, depicting soldiers' from different time periods as well as various famous battlefield engagements. But there were also lots of western themed sets that were very popular as many of them were based on hit tv shows on the period.
Collecting Marx playsets is truly one of the most interesting hobbies people have today. The vintage toys can frequently be found individually or through sets at online auctions sites. There are also modern re-issues to consider as well -- usually poured from the same molds as the originals. But usually vintage Marx items are more expensive and are more valuable to serious collectors.
Toy soldiers and other pieces were usually made of various metals, which is very characteristic of the toy industry prior to World War II. But as the war effort ramped up, Louis Marx and Company started producing their toys in sturdy plastic. Both the plastic and metal figures are highly collectible today though, so it just depends on how you want to focus your collection.
You can find all kinds of nifty vintage Marx playsets online, as well as toys from other manufacturers, including Britains Toy Soldiers.
Marx playsets had been among the most sought after and well known toy sets, particularly for their toys created during the 50's, the 60's and the 70's. In those days, every active little boy would have included the toy soldiers and the supporting playsets and other accessories in their Christmas and gift-giving wish lists. Your dad or your grand dad probably would be able to tell you their childhood tales about playing with and enjoying their favorite Marx toys.
Marx playsets are collections of action or military figures and adjoining accessories. The toy soldiers and other figures were given their own miniature environments and accessories so that they could be played with and enjoyed by kids who liked to set up their own miniature battlegrounds or western towns. In the past, such play sets were played individually or along with other kids.
Usually, the themes of such playsets were war-related, depicting soldiers' from different time periods as well as various famous battlefield engagements. But there were also lots of western themed sets that were very popular as many of them were based on hit tv shows on the period.
Collecting Marx playsets is truly one of the most interesting hobbies people have today. The vintage toys can frequently be found individually or through sets at online auctions sites. There are also modern re-issues to consider as well -- usually poured from the same molds as the originals. But usually vintage Marx items are more expensive and are more valuable to serious collectors.
Toy soldiers and other pieces were usually made of various metals, which is very characteristic of the toy industry prior to World War II. But as the war effort ramped up, Louis Marx and Company started producing their toys in sturdy plastic. Both the plastic and metal figures are highly collectible today though, so it just depends on how you want to focus your collection.
You can find all kinds of nifty vintage Marx playsets online, as well as toys from other manufacturers, including Britains Toy Soldiers.
Just visit Toy Soldier auctions to find all of the toy soldiers you remember from your own childhood.