Fs Collectibles

While most parents would feel uncomfortable paying more than forty dollars for a toy, there are those families, and we all know them, that will stop at nothing to provide entertainment for their children. The perfect fodder for spoiled brats, here are the top seven most extravagant toys that some deluded parents have bought for their children.

1. The Grand Victorian Mansion Playhouse

Playhouses are favored by all children alike, and most parents would not mind paying a couple of hundred dollars for one. However, would you be willing to pay $22,000 dollars for your child’s playhouse? This house, complete with doorbell, skylight and sponge painted walls costs just that.

2. Pirate Themed Clubhouse

Another playhouse that seems excessive, this one comes with the price tag of almost $19,000. This house is designed as a washed-up pirate ship with old fallen tree, swing and fireman pole. This playhouse is so big that even an adult can go inside.

3. Genuine Robby Robot

Do you remember the old 1950’s television show called Forbidden Planet? The robot on the show, called Robby, was loved by many, and a full sized version is available today. It is even programmed to say lines from the show. For even more fun, it can be connected to your home theater system. Robby comes with a price tag of $49,999.99. That one penny shy of $50,000 makes it affordable, right?

4. Home Pro Racing Simulator

Everyone knows those games from arcades that included a lifelike car seat with pedals and a big screen, and for most people that’s exactly where they belong, in the arcade. But not for a few lucky children! The Home Pro Racing System, which is made to work with your Xbox, Playstation or PC, costs about $4,000 and includes a 42” screen.

5. Lego Life Sized Batman

Who doesn’t want a full sized Batman figure made completely out of Lego? This sounds like a neat idea until your five year old starts taking it apart. That would not be a fun one to put back together. When it comes to extravagance level, this one is pretty high at $27,000 for a toy you can only stare at.

6. Junior Off-Road Vehicle

This Jeep is gasoline powered (for kids! Can you believe it?) and is designed for two kids to enjoy. Complete with speakers, radio, tape deck, and gear shift, this car costs more than many standard sized vehicles. Who would be willing to pay $32,350 for a child’s toy? Obviously someone is because this profligacy continues to sell like hotcakes.

7. Cinderella Fantasy Coach

Of course, we all want our children to have a bed they will like sleeping in, but this one may be a little over the top. Designed to look like a coach reminiscent of the one Cinderella’s glorified pumpkin coach, this pink coach-bed is crafted by hand. The price tag is $47,000 and linens are available for an additional cost. Unfortunately, there were no magic wands available to keep production costs down!

Toys should be fun, that is for certain. However, should toys cost more than a vehicle or half of the price of a house? Many of these extravagant toys may be the norm for rich kids, but chances are, everyday children will never see them. This may be a good thing. Is there ever really a time when parents should spoil their children to such an extreme? Probably not, but at least we can have a self-righteous smirk at those who do!

Toys are just for kids, right? The truth is, people of all ages enjoy playing with different toys. In fact, while dad may say he is buying that toy for his child, chances are he will have just as much fun with as the little one. If you are looking for a toy that both you and your child can enjoy for playing, then here are a few ideas. After all, aren’t we all just big kids at heart?

1. Scalextric

These toys take the idea of racing slot cars to a new level. Using new technology, they make the experience a whole lot more fun. Like all race carr sets, Scalextric comes as individual sections,straightt or curved, so that you can construct your track however you want, and then expand on it. Be careful though, or your whole den could end up being converted into one massive racetrack!

2. Hornby Trains

Train sets have been around for a long time, and it is no surprise that both adults and children may enjoy them. However, just as with the Scalextrix sets, these train tracks can start out small and then grow to fill a whole room. They are available in a number of themes, and overall have a rather Hogwartsy charm.

3. Cranium

Designed as a game to stretch the imagination, Cranium is favored among preteens and adults alike. It is a bit like a cross between pictionary and charades, with some play-doh thrown in, and is a great selection for family game night, as it incorporates drawing, acting, mime, molding and trivia all in one.

4. Nintendo Wii

Game consoles used to be considered children’s toys only. However, the Nintendo Wii has become popular with people of all ages since it is easy to use and can be fun for all the family.

5. 20Q

Think of the Magic 8-Ball, but with the popular car-game “20 questions”. This little globe includes a digital screen that will ask various questions to try to guess your answer. This game is not only fun, but it also leaves you flabbergasted as to how a plastic kids’ toy can possibly get the right answer so often.

6. Radio Controlled Helicopter

There is nothing more fun than getting out in a big field and enjoying a radio controlled helicopter. The Silverlight PICOO Z model is a favorite because its easy-to-use controls are great for kids and adults alike.

7. Guitar Hero

This game franchise, which includes other sets like Rock Band, has become wildly popular for all age groups. Designed to use popular rock songs, the game makes use of a plastic guitar where the player must match the notes as they appear on the screen. Of course, players earn bonus points for making use of the “power stance” and rock-n-roll stage moves!

8. Cosmic Jet Racer

This is not a fancy or highly-technical toy, yet it is entertaining for children and parents alike. The racer works simply by attaching a blown up balloon to the back of a toy car, and racing it against another. Whether you race them across the ground or up ramps, the fun is addictive!

The good thing about finding toys that dad will enjoy too is that it makes family game time a lot more fun for everyone. You may want to consider one or two of these this year at Christmas…

There are many reasons to choose to collect items. Collecting is a great hobby since it can be fun, stress relieving and and very rewarding. In a busy world, having something calming to focus on can be a great way to ease the tensions of everyday life. However, if you have never tried your hand at collecting before, you may have no idea of where to start. With some quick and easy tips, you can easily get started with your own collection. Follow these tips, and you will find yourself a seasoned collector in no time.

1. Decide what you want to collect.

While there are some collections which are very popular (stamps, coins, baseball cards), collecting something kooky and unique can be a lot more fun. Before you decide on your chosen theme, consider something that you really like. Some people enjoy collecting movie memorabilia or things associated with a certain topic. If you choose to collect something related to a personal interest of yours, chances are your collection will flourish!

2. Learn about your new collection options.

Of course, your next step will be to learn a little more about what you will be collecting. It takes research and lots of it to find out where to purchase items and how much to pay for them. There are plenty of ways to research. The Internet is a great tool because of its vast sources of information. Additionally, for many types of collections, there are magazines and books that can give you guidance.

3. Set a budget.

Collecting can get pretty pricey, meaning your account balance could suffer as a result. In order to avoid this happening, go ahead and get an idea of how much you are willing to spend to start your collection and then stick to that budget. This way, you will feel comfortable adding to your collection over time without jeopardizing your finances.

4. Know where to shop

Of course, shopping for your collection will greatly depend on what you are collecting. There are many specialty shops for certain items like baseball cards or coins. However, for most collections, you may have to get a little creative with your shopping, so you should always be on the lookout for new pieces. The Internet (especially sites such as eBay) is also a great place to look for pieces to add to your collection.

5. Make your first purchase.

Since you are just building the collection, making that first purchase can be quite exciting, but it can also be daunting. Don’t just purchase the first item that you see. Instead, spend some time shopping around to pick that best first piece, something that can inspire you to keep collecting. Believe it or not, the “quality over quantity” rule does apply to collections, so don’t try to fluff yours up with items that don’t excite you.

Building a collection does not have to be overwhelming. Instead, all you have to do is get an idea of what you want to collect. Keep in mind that you want to choose something that you won’t get bored of quickly. Once you determine what you want to collect, you will find it easy to grow your collection into something fun, unique and personal.

For as long as there have been things to collect, there have been people collecting them. While some people choose to collect bizarre or unique items, there are many who choose classic items that stand the test of time. Of all the many kooky and varied collections in the world, there are a few that stand above the rest as the most common. You might read this list and decide it is time for you to start collecting too.

1. Baseball Cards

While there collectibilty may have waned for younger generatinos, baseball cards still certainly hold top honors for many. They are so highly collectectible that many rare and unique cards are valued at hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

2. Coins

A favorite among serious collectors and hobbyists alike, coins remains popular because of the wide variety of collectino options they offer, from ancient coins to rare currencies. Coin collecting also offers investment potential since some can be worth quite a bit of money.

3. Stamps

A classic choice, stamp collecting is so popular that there exist many stamp collecting companies which allow a collector to receive a new set in the mail every few weeks. Like coins, stamps have no limit when it comes to collection theme.

4. Action Figures

Many people have found collecting action figures of different types to be enjoyable. Perhaps these action figures remind us of those rosy childhood days when it was acceptable to play with dolls. A good example of this would be the highly collectible Star Wars figures from back in the 1970’s.

5. Movies

The advantage of choosing to collect movies is that you can actually enjoy your collection for hours and hours and hours (depending on the size of the collection!). Many people choose to collect just their favorite movies while some set their sights high, aiming to collect as many as possible in a certain theme.

6. Postcards

This is a great way to document where you have been or where you want to go in the world. Some people like to collect only postcards that have been sent to them while others purchase new post cards at every location that they visit.

7. Shot Glasses

As with the postcards, this is a great way to remember (or not remember!) places that you have visited. Shot glass collections are so popular that racks have been built specifically to showcase them. In the same vein, many people choose to collect small novelty spoons. Don’t ask.

8. Comic Books

Comic books generally have a great deal of value, especially when it comes to old and rare issues. For some, the joy of collecting them is in reading them too. For others, the books are not meant to be read, but put away for safe keeping.

9. Wine

Many people enjoy finding new and interesting types of wines for their collection. Some choose to collect wines from various places in the world, while others seek out rare vintage wines. Still others choose to collect only wine bottles, preferring unique shapes and styles.

10. Rocks/Seashells

Another collection with a travel theme, unique seashells and rocks are often collected for their beauty, rarity, or even hilarity. It is common to collect shells from around the world, as souvenirs of a trip, or maybe just for the geological interest. These items are lovely to display, making this one collection that can be enjoyed by many. The eccentric artist Damien Hirst exhibited his shell collection in London’s prestigious Tate Gallery as a work of art.

There are many different things that are collected these days, from toasters to t-shirts. However, there are some items, like the 10 listed above, that have continued to be favored as popular for collectors. Whether it is because of their value, their novelty or their entertainment ability, these items continue to stay at the top 10 even when other collectable items appear and disappear thorugh time.

The automobile certainly has a long and interesting past, mainly because it has evolved so much in a relatively short time. With cars today that can park themselves and run on electricity, things have changed much from the days of the old Model-T’s. Throughout the automobile’s history, there are some models that stand out as iconic, either because they were a step in a new direction or simply because their popularity made them ubiquitous. Here are the top 10 most iconic cars throughout American history.

1. Ford Model-T

This one has to be at the top of the list for one main reason. The Model-T was the very first car to be mass produced, making it the template for all vehicles to come.

2. Chevrolet Bel-Air

More specifically, it is the 1957 model of this car which is most recognizable. The Chevrolet Bel-Air was the very first model to include luxury extras without the luxury price. This was the first truly sumptuous car for the everyday consumer.

3. Cadillac Eldorado, 1953-1978

The standard model of this car has changed greatly over the years but the Eldorados produced between these years were considered the very best in luxury vehicles, making it a popular brand among both celebrities and everyday consumers. Elvis himself liked the cars so much he had two of them custom made for his collection.

4. Dodge Power Wagon

Consider this the precursor to the Dodge Ram, and all 4-wheel drive trucks to be specific. The power wagon gained its iconic status by being the first mass-produced truck. You’ve most likely seen it featured in nostalgic movies set in the American Midwest.

5. Cord 810

When you think of vehicles from the 1950’s that reflect the period’s popular art deco style, chances are, this is the car you will be imagining. It has continued to be named one of the most eye-catching vehicles of the century.

6. Ford GT40

This car was made to rival the famous Ferrari. It is the one and only vehicle ever produced in the US to win the Le Mans race, an title usually held by Italian cars. In fact, the GT40 won this prestigious honor 4 years in a row.

7. Ford Crown Victoria

There may not be anything outstanding or special about this vehicle, but it certainly is iconic for one main reason. This car has been used more than any other for public service vehicles such as police cars, taxis and rental cars. In fact, there are an estimated 5 million of them currently in use.

8. Pontiac GTO

The GTO certainly set the bar for all muscle cars, and has continued to be the most popular model even today. It has played roles in numerous movies, including “xXx” and “Two Lane Blacktop.”

9. The Ford Mustang

When it comes to American masterpieces, the Mustang is a fierce competitor for the number one spot. Offering affordable pricing, this has become the classic car for many. Even though its style has greatly changed through the years, the Mustang has continued to be an icon.

10. Chevrolet Corvette

The only car that could beat the Mustang out of top place, the Corvette is the ultimate automotive icon. Even though Chevrolet tried to discontinue the model, it is still in production today and is considered by many to be the very best in American deisgn and engineering.

There are many vehicles that stand out as iconic for one reason or another, but these ten certainly hold top honors for their own unique merits. Chances are, as you skimmed this list, you were nodding along in recognition, because no one can deny that these 10 cars are worldwide icons.

When it comes to the world of comic books, few have withstood the test of time. Those would be Marvel and DC, and due to their exceptionally long runs, it is no wonder that both comic labels have had to reach far into the depths of creativity to come up with new comic characters over the years. While some of those creative characters have certainly been successful, others have been deemed downright odd. Generally, the oddest ones have met their end when writers determined that readers found them just too bizarre, but some have managed to stick around for years. If you are a comic reader, then chances are, you have seen a few of these characters. Here are some of the oddest comic characters ever created in the Marvel Universe.

Swarm/Fritz von Meyer

While the idea of a super villain-cum-swarm of bees does not necessarily sound that bizarre at first glance, there is much more than meets the eye with this character. Invented in 1977, the villain is essentially a swarm of bees that take on the form of a man. According to Marvel, when the swarm killed a scientist named Fritz von Meyer, his psyche was translated over to them. Yet, this is no ordinary swarm of bees; this is a swarm of bees with the thought processes and soul of a Nazi scientist.

Maggot

In keeping with the bug theme, Maggot may take the cake in the ‘most disgusting’ category. As it turns out, Maggot has slugs living in his stomach that digest food and provide him with nourishment. As far as superpowers, this means he can eat just about anything. Additionally, he has super energy and strength. Maggot was introduced in 1997, and thankfully, he did not stick around very long.

The Asbestos Lady/Victoria Murdock

Now, we all know how dangerous asbestos can be, and that it causes numerous cancers. However, this is only a recent dicovery. Hence, when Marvel created this character in 1947, the asbestos was simply an afterthought. “The Asbestos Lady” wears a fireproof outfit that just happens to be lined in asbestos, and also throws balls of fire. Ironically, she eventually passed away from cancer in 1990, after wearing that asbestos for many years.

Lockjaw

The truly bizarre part of this character has little to do with his superpowers. Lockjaw is a bulldog that has jaws of steel. Once he bites down on an enemy, he does not let go. He also has the ability to teleport. So far, a teleporting bulldog does not seem that odd, but in the comic book world, there is always an origin story. There is always a history behind each character’s powers. Yet, there is no such reason behind Lockjaw. In fact, he has no origin story at all. What’s more, no one really knows where he came from and why he was there in the first place.

Ego

Just what was Ego? It is a little hard to pinpoint. Possibly, he was a living, thinking evil planet. He may have been an evil force living among the plants. Marvel never attempted to explain his origins or his reason for being, probably since he does very little except suck energy from stars and plot. Not very impressive for a comic book super villain. Ego was mysteriously introduced in 1966, and just like many other bizarre characters, he did not last very long.

There have been numerous odd and unique characters throughout comic book history. Many of them have been long forgotten, probably a good thing considering just how odd many of them actually are.

For the most part, toys that have been released to market make complete sense. They are either simply fun for children or they provide learning experiences. These types of toys are popular and completely accepted by children and parents alike. However, there are plenty of other toys out there that are completely inappropriate for one reason or other. Here we present you with the 7 most inappropriate toys for children.

1. Pole Dancer Doll

The creepiest part of this toy is that the doll herself looks completely innocent and sweet, yet she is holding on to her very own dancing pole. The jargon on the box is even creepy too, including words like “flash” and “up and down.” Is there ever a situation when it would be appropriate to introduce a child to the world of strippers?

2. Stylin’ Studio

The name of this toy sounds innocuous, offering teenagers the chances to upload an image and then try on hair styles or make up. However, this toy does not stop here. Instead, it allows the user to change their actual face shape to determine if they should have plastic surgery as well as look for wrinkles to see if they need to get botox injections or fillers. Touted as the “ultimate makeover” this sounds more like a tool for a 40 year old, not a pre-teen.

3. Chup, Chup Baby

A Spanish toy that at first seems like a version of the Baby Alive in the United States. However, this toy is extremely inappropriate. First of all, the name is Spanish for “to suck” and she includes a bib for “mommy” to wear with flowers placed at the right spot for the baby doll to suckle. Breast feeding may be completely natural, but for a 6 year-old child? We didn’t think so either.

4. Stuffed STDs

Stuffed animals are a sure favorite among children. However, would stuffed animals in the shape of various STD microbes be something you would let your child play with? Available in five shapes, including Herpes, Chlamydia, the Clap, HPV and the Pox, this toy is wildly inappropriate, and jut plain bizarre.

5. The Cleaning Trolley

Of course, household toys have been around for a while, such as a play kitchen or Easy Bake Oven. However, the idea of a maid’s cleaning cart seems a little overboard. Complete with mop, broom, bucket, sponges and more, this toy would leave developmental feminists in despair.

6. Tattoo Gun Toy

While it is true that temporary tattoos have been popular among children for many years, the idea of a tattoo gun seems to cross a line. This set includes a number of different temporary designs and a gun to apply them, made to look like those used by real tattoo artists. Could it be designed to teach a vocation to the younger generation?

7. Sky Dancer

At first glance this toy looks completely harmless. Featuring a fairy with wings perched atop splashing dolphins, the toy is pretty enough. However, the doll includes a handle which, when pulled, launches the doll into the air in a spinning flurry. Just imagine the damage when your child looks up to watch the sharp, spinning hard plastic wings quickly flying toward them. Needless to say, this toy could cause some pretty serious injuries.

There are certainly plenty of inappropriate toys available. Some of these toys are dangerous while others are downright bizarre. In any case, they will most likely not be on your child’s wish list this Christmas, and they definitely won’t be on yours!

It is common knowledge that Japan is known for producing the weirdest and wackiest in toys, novelty items, and clothing. However, there are certain toys that have been released from the country that take the cake for being downright inappropriate. It would be hard to narrow down to just one inappropriate toy from Japan, but here are the top six that seems to stand above the rest.

1. The Tuttuki Bako Poking Box

There just seems to be something wildly inappropriate about sticking your finger in a hole on the side of a box to interact with various things on the screen. While the poking box may have been intended to be completely innocent, this $50 toy has some rather less savory undertones. The actual environment on the screen includes fighting karate style with a character, scaring away bugs and swinging a panda, but this does not trump the inappropriateness of the toy as a whole.

2. H-Bouya

To start with, the name alone is quite inappropriate since the “H” in this case reprensents the Japanese word for “erotic”, and Bouya means boy. The little character, wearing a striped shirt, is connected to a USB cord. When the USB is plugged into the computer, the boy’s eyes light up with every press the H key. Somehow, it seems the name fit the toy at all, and the idea behind this toy is just downright weird.

3. Sega Robot Cat

This toy will leave you wondering why you didn’t just get a real cat. This one may not use a litter box or need to be fed, but it is certainly bizarre and a little creepy. Using sensors throughout the body of the stuffed cat, you can treat it like it was alive since it purrs, meows, moves its legs, and sleeps. Sounds just like a normal cat, doesn’t it?

4. Bandai Floating Toys

Some toys have a definite purpose and amusement factors. Other makes no sense whatsoever. This is a toy that falls into the latter category. Designed to look like little creatures, these toys have one purpose. You can put them in a bottle of water, and then you can watch them float. That’s it. They do not do anything else.

5. Kaba Kick

Doesn’t the idea of Russian roulette sound perfect for a child’s toy? I don’t think anyone would agree, except for the Japanese. In a version that does not involve death (off to a good start!), the Kaba Kick may or may not hit the player’s head with a pair of plastic feet when they aim it at themselves. Each time the gun doesn’t fire counts for a point. Sure the idea of a kid aiming a gun at their own head sounds good, right?

6. Shaving Baby

When it comes to odd and inappropriate, it is hard to beat the Japanese shaving baby. When the baby is purchased, it includes hairy ginger armpits, ankles and pubic region. Then, the owner can feel free to shave it off. Hopefully, this toy was never intended to be played with, and especially not by any children. In fact, it is fairly disturbing on may levels.

This list truly could go on and on and the Japanese will most likely continue to hold the record for producing the most odd and bizarre toys available. In some ways it is a shame that we do not see more of them in the United States, but in others, maybe it is not. Some people even choose to collect these bizarre and disturbingly inappropriate toys from the land of the rising sun.

There are some movies that become such cult classics that they continue to stand the test of time. One such series of movies, Star Wars, takes the top position in that category, and is still a fan favorite after all these years. Additionally, the action figures that were created during the original three Star Wars movies are so highly collectable that many of them are of great value now. Here are the top 6 most valuable Star Wars actions figures. If you own any of these, then consider yourself one lucky collector.

1. Jawa, Vinyl Cape. Made in 1978

The original Jawa figures included a vinyl cape, but only after a short run, the makers decided a fabric cape would look less cheap. Because of this, there are only a handful of the toys that have the original vinyl cape. A vinyl cape Jawa is worth about $1000 if sealed in original packaging.

2. The Blue Snaggletooth. Made in 1978.

Created in the first run of Star Wars toys, Snaggletooth was a part of the Cantina play set. Somehow, in the creation of the toy, the first sets of them were blue instead of the reddish color from the movie. This was corrected later the same year, but any of the blue snaggletooth toys left are worth about $100 each.

3. Telescoping Lightsaber Luke. Made in 1978.

The first action figures of Luke Skywalker included a light saber that telescoped out of his arm. This model did not last very long simply because the tiny plastic piece was too fragile and too easily damaged for kids to play with. The telescoping light saber was soon removed. Because there are so few of these new in package, even the toy without packaging is worth about $600.

4. Vlix

For a short time, a cartoon was released called Droids. While the cartoon itself did not have a long run, its effects certainly have. The action figures that were released during this cartoon never made it to shelves because the show was cancelled. The company that planned to make the toys went ahead with it, creating just a handful of the Vlix figures, which are now worth about $4000 a pop.

5. Luke Skywalker Dressed as Storm Trooper. Made in 1985.

This toy was made during a series of action figures called the “Power of the Force” line. During the mid eighties, the interest in the Star Wars movies had slowed a bit, so toys did not sell as well and retailers stopped carrying them. This means that not many of the toys are available. Additionally, the Storm trooper Luke toy is the only one in the line that comes from the “A New Hope” movie and not one of the sequels, making it even more unique. Storm trooper Luke without packaging is worth about $100.

6. Yak Face. Made in 1985.

This is another character from the “Power of the Force” collection. Since this character only appeared in “The Return of the Jedi” for approximately 3 seconds, it is quite surprising that it was ever made into a toy. Because of this, the toy makers stopped making it quite quickly and replaced it with a more popular character. A Yak Face without packaging is worth about $150, but one that is sealed in packaging is worth a whopping $2250.

There are many Star Wars figures that are certainly valuable and collectible. Anyone who was lucky enough to buy one way back when should certainly recognize what they have on hand. Chances are, the value of these toys will only continue to rise in the future as interest in Star Wars ebbs and flows.