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His timing was impeccable the first of the “Baby Boomers” came along in 1946. In 1947, he created the plastics department at his Glen Dale factory. Louis Marx anticipated this difficulty and provided the solution. Traditionally, manufacturers cast toy soldiers in a lead alloy, but in the post-war years they became cost prohibitive. Even after VJ Day, metal was in high demand. But the best thing: playing in the dirt with your buddies.ĭuring early-1940s-before any of us “Boomers” had arrived on the scene-the war effort had gobbled up most available metal resources. We just thought it was nifty to see dozens of plastic figures arrayed in battle formation. Even then, we understood that such an amalgamation was anachronistic-although, I promise you, we didn’t know that particular word. At times, Santa Anna’s soldados would fight Hitler’s Nazis or King Arthur’s knights. On December 26, the neighborhood boys assembled to show off our “army men.” We then retired to backyard battlefields and combined our forces. Sears, of course, gave us plenty of time to place our orders with Santa. Then, eager boys gathered round to see what Louis Marx and Company had on offer for Christmas. arrived in towns and cities across the nation. Early in the fall, the catalogue from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Both the plastic and metal figures are highly collectible today though, so it just depends on how you want to focus your collection.Elsewhere on this website, I have observed that during the 1950s and 1960s, “history was in the air.” Marx playsets were both a reason and consequence of that phenomenon. But as the war effort ramped up, Louis Marx and Company started producing their toys in sturdy plastic. Toy soldiers and other playset pieces were usually made of various metals, which is very characteristic of the toy industry prior to World War II. But usually vintage Marx playsets are more expensive and are more valuable to serious collectors. There are also modern re-issues to consider as well - usually poured from the same molds as the originals. The vintage playsets can frequently be found individually or through sets at online auctions sites.
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MARX PLAYSETS TV
But there were also lots of western themed playsets that were very popular as many of them were based on hit tv shows on the period.Ĭollecting Marx playsets is truly one of the most interesting hobbies people have today. Usually, the themes of such playsets were war-related, depicting soldiers' from different time periods as well as various famous battlefield engagements.
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In the past, such playsets were played individually or along with other kids. 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. Marx playsets are collections of action or military figures and adjoining accessories. Your dad or your grand dad probably would be able to tell you their childhood tales about playing with and enjoying their favorite Marx playsets. 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. 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. To date, there is a rising number of people who are into buying and collecting the toy soldiers and playsets made by them. Collecting vintage toys is one interesting hobby collecting items from Louis Marx and Company makes the activity further interesting and worthwhile. Marx playsets are among the most in demand and sought after collectors' items today.
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