otherthings

Throughout this site I been showing you mostly the models I built, and some of the sci fi stuff I collect. So here is some more. But it is not only sci fi...believe it or not I do collect other "pop culture" icons, as shown below.

As a kid I was always interested in puppets, whether they be marionettes or hand puppets. The pics above are of puppets I had as a child. Though not the originals, thanks to e-bay, I have been able to obtain them again. The Pinocchio puppet on the left was made by Knickerbocker toys. He is based on the Rankin and Bass TV series of the early sixties. The one on the right, Bozo, is also knickerbocker. My sister got the Pinocchio and I got the Bozo one Christmas. Aahh, the countless puppet shows we would put on. What makes these good pieces is the fact that the trademark controllers on the tops (inset) are all intact. The handles are the first to go, but these have them, and all the keys. And they are all attached as well. Truely find pieces.

The one in the middle is obviously the Monkees. Once again, my sister and I had these, and I was able to score one on e-bay. This one had a small rip in it, but it works and says what it's supposed to say when you pull the string.

Speaking of Monkees (and no, not the apes in the background) I always loved the car. A couple years ago, AMT/ETRL put out a model of it, so I got one, along with a Corgy Die Cast and the Johnny Lightning set. It's about time someone paid attention to this fine vehicle.

I also collect the Star Trek ornaments from Hallmark, so in the back of the bottom shelf you can see the DS9 and the Brass Enterprise. I have the whole series (including the first Enterprise) of the Hallmark collection. Also you see a Communicator which is a calculator and memo mate combo, and a Playmates Phaser. I collected a lot of the Playmates toys which I hope to highlight on another page soon. But I have the classic Enterprise, Romulan Bird of Prey, TNG Enterprise, shuttlecraft, Klingon Ships, and assorted equipment like phasers, tricorders, etc. Keep an eye out for those.

Here's the first robot I ever got. It is the original and he still works...barely...but still works. He has a few coats of paint on him, and has been rebuilt a few times from old ones friends were about to throw away. But he is the ATTACKING MARTIAN. Many times he faced off with my Remco as the Robotoid. He lost most of the battles (with my help of course) and that is why he has a new batter compartment. But as a local antique dealer said...no matter the condition, they still look cool.

I had my Star Wars period of my collecting. But though most of it has been sold off, I kept this piece. It is a ceramic Deart Vader Music Box. You twist his head, and then it rotates back playing the Star Wars Theme. I like the pearl like finish. A real nice piece.

Being a Simpsons fan, I was thrilled with the premire of Futurama. This is a quality show...great storys, funny, excellent characters...why this show has not garnered the same respect as the Simpsons is beyond me. One of the best shows on TV. But here is the Bender tin wind up, and below it is a diecast ship. I have some of the other "action figures" around, but my 13-year-old daughter has them in her room...and I will NOT go in there without the proper life support gear.

I also have a strong interest in the American Space Program. Boy am I glad we finally have a President with vision for our explorative future. Here is a pic of some of my "space exploration" models.