Often terribly made, these strange playthings were low priced enough to wear down even the most frugal adult and were most likely forgotten or broken by the time you left the parking lot.
Rack Toys is a love letter to repurposed, illogically licensed toys that were not meant to be remembered.
The book will explore all the nagging childhood questions like:
"Why does Superman need a parachute?"
"What does the Love Boat have to do with shaving?"
and "When did Dr. Zaius get a motorcycle?"
Rack Toys is an explosion of color, nostalgia and humor spanning three decades and dozens of different genres.
Materials
Based on research and interviews, the author will deliver:
Introduction by Jason Lenzi (Bif Bang Pow!/ Geekshallinherit podcast)
Introduction essay "It's in the Blood"
* Approximately 300 different photos of rare and unusual rack toys from the 1950s to the 1980s in different chapters, including store displays, factory samples and unique never before published toys:
1) Comic Action Heroes: Superheroes sell toys
2) Sci Fi : From Flash Gordon to the Martian Chronicles
3) Saturday Morning : Our cartoon favourites
4) Generic Fun: poopatroopers and rubber bugs are staples to childhood
5) TV Action: How Kojak, Mr T and Baywatch translate into cheap thrills.
6) Spooky Stuff: How rack toys kept monster mania alive
7)Hey, Knock it off: You don't need a license to have fun.
1) Got something fun, strange, logical or just completely bizarre and can take a photo please drop us a line.
2) Do you have a vintage Catalog from Azrak Hamway, Lincolin International, Fleetwood toys, Larami, Gordy International, Jak Pak or Imperial Toys you'd like to share?
3) Are you a former employee of Azrak Hamway, Lincolin International, Tomland, Fleetwood toys, Larami, Gordy International, Jak Pak or Imperial Toys and would agree to be interviewed?
While submissions for Rack Toys are currently closed but hey, I've got another book in the works so contact me!
