Back to School...Bank

A few weeks ago I picked up a tin bank at an estate sale. I actually saw it and then came back the next day so I could get it for 75% off. So, for under ten bucks, I got this...

This is the Metal Toy Mfg Company PS 23 tin bank from around the early 1940s. It measures five inches by four inches. The really cool thing is that this is a lollipop display for a store. Kids would put their penny in the slot and then select a lollipop from the holes in the top.

There are actually two versions of this bank. The more common (and slightly newer) version has snow on the roof and more lollipop holes. This blue roof version is pretty hard to find.

All in all it's not a bad addition to my bank collection. Since I've been working in public schools for almost three decades, I guess it really fits me. And to think I almost didn't get it because I was feeling cheap. Still, it was meant to be and it was waiting for me the next day!

Until next time, keep searching for treasure!

The Next Three From '71!!!

I know you've been waiting for them, and here they are! The next three Hot Wheels from that groovy year of 1971!!!

Ok, let's get on with it, shall we?

All racing teams need a pit crew, although I'm not sure all pit crews need a futuristic dedicated purpose car/van. But in Hot Wheels World we go big! The Pit Crew Car will get the guys to the track in style!

And where would the crew be without their tools? When you open the rear hatch, the tool tray slides out a bit.

And of course you also have to get the car there. The Racer Rig is just the truck to do it! The Bragham Repco F1 that it's carrying is one of four I now own. I got three of them at an estate sale a couple of months ago. 25 redlines and 10 60s Matchbox cars for 20 bucks. Sometimes you hit it big!

Anyway, back to the Racer Rig... The trailer has pull out ramps and a tool box because play value was important!

Finally, we have the Rocket Bye Baby. I'm pretty sure that's actually a jet engine on its back, but Jet Bye Baby makes no sense.

When you pull out the tail pipes, the intakes open on the sides. Why? It looks cool. It makes no logical sense that I can figure out, but neither does a jet powered rocket car. So there.

So there you have it! Three more are coming soon! Until then, keep searching for treasure!

Disneyland Trivets!

Sometimes I come across things in my treasure hunts that I have never seen before. A while back, in Denison Tx., I found these metal trivets that were meant to be hung on a wall. There were two of them, but for all I know there were supposed to be three...or not...I just dont know! So let's take a look at them, shall we?

First, we have the Fred Gurley chugging down the track. This image is from around 1958 (the year the engine entered service) so that places our trivets at least after that date.

Next we have a Jungle Cruise crew braving Dr. Falls' namesake! I like the old red and white striped boats more than the Indiana Jones versions we have now.

These trivets are pretty heavy. They seem to be brass, and the images are covered with about 1/16 inch glass. Apparently we have England to thank for them. These were obviously meant to be serious decor, and not for kids.

And that's about all I know about them. Google and eBay have let me down. I'm pretty sure they are from the late 1950s or early 1960s, based on the subject matter and quality of the items, but that's all I got. If anyone can share more info, please do!

Until next time, keep searching for treasure!