No matter where you are in collecting – whether you’ve just begun to feel the very first sparks of interest in the hobby or whether you’re a seasoned expert who has devoted years to acquiring information and artifacts of history, there are two universals that must inevitably be embraced: the ability to learn, and the ability to change. And with such a vast, even mind boggling amount of information to be had regarding the history of the hobby and, in turn, the history of America, learning and dealing with change are as much a part of collecting as the actual joy of finding a new acquisition.

But before we go any further, let’s first define a few words that are used quite a bit throughout this piece. First, toy. A toy is defined as "something a child plays with." Second, play. To play is defined as "to engage in recreation" or "to fiddle around with something." Third, illustration. Illustration is defined as "an example that helps make something more clear or attractive." Listed at the end of this article, you’ll find a list of dozens of categories of toys. And, as we discuss the illustration concept, we’re refelecting on the fact that it has been used through the years not only in magazines and newspapers but also in the actual design and packaging of toys – something you may want to keep in mind as you read.

So now, let us go back to the very early days of America, where the first seeds of expressional art were sown – seeds that would eventually evolve into the hobby that we now cherish. The beauty of America is that it is, cliché as it may be, a melting pot of people and cultures. Everyone who came to settle in this new land brought with them an astonishing influence from their native land – an influence of customs, foods, ways of dress, experiences…all of which in turn brought an array of interests and ideas under one umbrella: America. So, it is not surprising that, in order for magazines, newspapers and propaganda to effectively communicate ideas to a large group of people of such differing backgrounds, illustration art was often used. People grasped the power of an illustration much more easily than they did a jumble of words…giving artists great power in society.

But, in those early days, illustrations weren’t exactly what they are today. They were not so much a form of entertainment as they were a way to convey to others the state of their world. Though they were often satirical, and may have provided a few chuckles, they were not consumed by the masses as a means of enjoyment. A world where entertainment was at the forefront simply didn’t exist yet, and most people were too preoccupied with the day to day business of survival – running the farm, putting food on the table, raising the family – to be concerned with illustrations as anything more than a fleeting distraction.

All that began to change, however, with the population boom. In 1860, there were 31 million people living in America. That number had jumped to 50 million by 1890, and 105 million by 1920. People began moving off the farms and into the cities, and many people came to America from abroad – meaning more people than ever were living in closer circles. This created a tremendous amount of need, and naturally, out of need came ideas. America started to become more professional, and the notion of advertising products and marketing new and quickly growing companies came with that. Machines began to take the place of manual labor. Ovens, washing machines, cars…these were the gadgets that adults suddenly had to help them perform their everyday tasks. And that was when something extraordinary happened. Someone, somewhere along the line took a look at the country’s children, and had a revolutionary idea. While toys were an age old concept in Europe, never before had anyone looked at the exciting new gadgets that adults were using and thought to miniaturize them into toys for the children. We owe a lot to whoever that person was, for they established the foundation of playthings as we know them today.

So, with many things that were used by adults suddenly being remade into smaller replicas for children, it’s no wonder that those adult illustrations used to show what was going on in society evolved into illustrations representing fantasy for children. As many of you realize, by the end of the 1800s, America had already been through quite a bit. The fight for Independence, a catastrophic Civil War, the abolishment of slavery, the rise of the cities, Westward expansion, several Presidents … all of which was captured, for better or worse, by illustrations. And rather than being confined to one panel, these illustrations started to grow into several-panel commentaries on the climate of the country. This was quite successful, and people enjoyed looking at these many-paneled illustrations more than they did reading – after all, many of them couldn’t read. So, once these types of illustrations were tailored to children, the comic strip was born.

Then in 1883, Palmer Cox really took things a step further with his Brownies, which were introduced in the St. Nicholas Magazine. Through shrewd negotiations with other companies, the Brownies were licensed out and were soon appearing on products including cough drops and biscuits. Cox had hit on a formula that would create a marketing bonanza for his fantasy characters. (In fact, one of the very first products to feature the characters of the Brownies was "Log Cabin Brownies Biscuits." Could it be that the fudgy chocolate dessert we all know and love today actually got its name from Palmer Cox’s fun-loving little elves?)

So, this extraordinary marketing concept only grew with each subsequent decade, and, in order for companies to compete with the success of the Brownies, creators were forced to come up with more characters. This in turn led to a proliferation of characters on more and more products and toys. Perfect examples of this (within a 20-year period of Cox’s Brownies) are the Yellow Kid (1895) and Buster Brown (1902), which were great success stories in the use of characters to promote products.

Of course, none of this could have happened if the parents didn’t agree with it. Fortunately, however, many of them saw the benefits of giving children toys that had a practical use (a toy stove was an excellent way to start training a little girl for her future as a homemaker early, a toy tool set was the perfect way to get little boys used to the notion of building and fixing), and exposing them to good characters that had a positive influence. Also, with each transportation innovation that came about, toys – including bicycles, trains, fire engines, automobiles, planes and more – were immediately created, further encouraging positive, imaginative play. And furthermore, children’s magazines of the era were not only entertaining, but helped children learn to read. So it was no wonder that adults approved. In fact, many adults had a fondness for giving such toys to children because it brought back a happy feeling of childhood innocence for them as well.

So naturally, the increased production of both character and generic toys made distribution very important. Proper distribution could take a character and make it familiar to people all over the country, rather than in one specific area. Soon, more companies were formed, and more and more creative people were able to find work that previously only existed for a rare few.

Imagination started to really take off, and while many toys reflected reality, still others brought strange ideas and far off worlds to life. In fact, inventors were often influenced by toys – the Wright brothers even got their idea of flight from a European toy their father had brought for them. And while the toys themselves were interesting, the stories that were told on the boxes, the colors and graphics that were used, and the general presentation of the whole toy package became almost as important as what was inside.

Before long, the profits from these products began to play a bigger role than ever before. Money given to creators by product owners would go towards developing more and more vehicles for a character to be seen – and the success of a character in one media would pave the way for them to be seen in others. Take, for instance, Mickey Mouse, who began as character in a cartoon in the movies, The Lone Ranger, who premiered as a Western character in a radio program, and Superman, who was introduced as a character in a comic book. All of these characters began in one place, but eventually evolved into the entire media (newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, etc.) that existed at their time. What then started to happen, was that once major success was found with a character in several types of media, a company would often buy that character from the creator and license it to other companies to produce still more products for retail. This was the case with some of history’s greatest characters, and is also the case with today’s popular characters. Before long, there is so much merchandise pertaining to one character, that the collector’s interest is piqued and there is enough product for him to collect.

Of course, many collectors don’t always know everything that has been made in a given era, and a battle between information and lack of information could take shape. Oftentimes, there is a possibility of forming a prejudice against what is already in one’s collection and an intrigue by what is not – an intrigue that unfortunately could turn to resentment if a collector cannot afford the piece. Thus, we think it’s very important to discuss the role the actual collector plays in the hobby.

We think of each individual collector, with their information about the hobby, as an individual piece of a puzzle. When collectors come together, more of the puzzle comes together. And, no matter how limited a given collector’s knowledge may be, they are an integral part of the whole picture. We can’t emphasize that point enough. It is crucial for beginning collectors and advanced collectors alike to learn to respect one another’s perspectives. Beginners haven’t seen the whole picture yet – but what they have seen of it is right in their minds. And after all, each collector has to start somewhere.

First, there must first be a period of time from which a wide enough selection of product has been produced for there to be interest in owning. How long that period of time must be, no one can say for sure. But the better we are at documenting and trying to explain what went on during it, the healthier our hobby will be. And everyone, regardless of experience, is more often than not drawn towards a certain time period because of the influence of nostalgia. Nostalgia directly ties in with the history of life, and the beginning of the joy of collecting comes with finding the toys that can connect with the way one once felt. It is one step on a trek through history. Another step comes when, after looking at what children are doing, there is the realization that many toys that are popular today aren’t so dramatically different from the toys of the past. Hence, the popularity of retro toys for children.

Then, once this decade of interest has been established, the collector begins to advance and branch out into other eras and other types of toys and products regularly used by adults – including boxes, wrappers, packages etc, – that are illustrated with comic characters. As an example, the advanced collector may become interested in the childhood of their parents and grandparents, and want to participate in owning pieces from those times as well as from his own childhood. It is important that this happen. When trying to see the big picture of history, one should never be limited to just a few characters or just a few types of toys. They only tell a part of the story, and collectors who remain devoted only to them seldom progress past the beginner stages of collecting. Many collectors also make the mistake of ignoring certain pieces from certain eras for fear that the piece will be overlooked as time moves on. That is nonsense – and will be proven as such as more people continue to join the hobby and continue to document.

Not surprisingly, however, many collectors have interests that are not confined only to history. Collectors are usually very well informed citizens who spend a great deal of time studying current events and how these events effect what’s going on in society today. Collectors are also usually people who care. There is still a light about them, a child-like awe that allows them to still enjoy toys, and a never-ending quest to keep learning and documenting the history surrounding their collection.

So, we take our hats off to collectors of all stages, and to anyone who tries to document history. It is a daunting and often under-appreciated task, but it serves the crucial purpose of bringing the masses closer in touch with what really happened. Grading, pricing, documenting…it is all still in the beginning stages, despite the amazing body of information that has already been acquired, there is still such an enormous amount more out there. And, as generations pass on, it becomes increasingly more difficult to gather the facts on a given era of history: so we turn to the products that survive. And with more and more product always being uncovered, documentations and previously held ideas are constantly being called into question.

What we want to do is to let everyone know of the importance of documenting, and to encourage those who may feel that it’s an unrewarding task. The rewards will come. Keep an open mind, and continue on the treasure hunt! Though there’s a seemingly constant difference of opinion between collectors, and the politics and personal investment involved in the hobby may deter some from speaking up about their finds, it is important not to let this happen. There’s a soapbox for everyone in this hobby.

Another important lesson to remember on your collecting journey is to never let prejudice towards one item over another dictate which way you allow your collection to grow. Remember that every little trinket has a fascinating story behind it – and a team of people, many of whom are long gone now, were behind its conception, development, promotion and distribution. Think of the Doc Savage Award in this week’s Did You Know – someone created its design, someone was in charge of its actual manufacture, someone else determined that it was best to promote the piece as an award given only to those nominated by another…it is these types details that all come together to better illuminate the importance of a piece in historical context.

So, as you continue on the rewarding and fascinating journey of collecting, keep these thoughts into consideration. Remember how things came to be, and always be on the lookout for new bits of information to supplement the history it’s so necessary to preserve. Do it out of respect for the past, do it out of obligation to the future. And should anyone try and tell you that the hobby is dying, look them square in the eye and tell them they are wrong. Today, there are so many books, guides, conventions, magazines, museums and such devoted to collecting, it is staggering. It has become huge and there are absolutely no signs that it is going to stop anytime soon. It will succeed in spite of all of us.

Listed below are some of the categories that collectors pursue. Also listed is a small sampling of characters, from the Brownies to the present. There are, of course, hundreds more. Enjoy!

Types of materials from which Character Collectibles have been made:
Cardboard, Celluloid, Ceramic, Cloth, Glass, Leather, Metal, Paper, Plaster, Plastic, Resin, Rubber, Soap, String, Wood

Types of Items on which Comic Characters can be found:
Action Figures, Ads, Airplanes, Albums, Ash Trays, Awards, Badges, Balloons, Balls, Bandannas, Banks, Battery Toys, Bean Bags, Beanie Babies, Beanies, Belts, Big Little Books, Billfolds, Binoculars, Blotters, Bobbing head Dolls, Bookmarks, Books, Bottlecaps, Bottles, Bowls, Boxes, Bracelets, Bubble Bath Soakies, Buses, Buttons, Calendars, Cameras, Candles, Candy, Candy Containers, Candy Machines, Car Emblems, Cards, Cars, Casting Sets, Catalogs, Cereal Box Premiums, Cereal Boxes, Certificates, Chains, Charms, Christmas Cards, Christmas Lights, Circus Premiums, Clickers, Clocks, Club Kits, Coasters, Code Books, Coins, Colorform Sets, Coloring Books, Coloring Sets, Comic book Stands, Comic books, Compasses, Concert Programs, Cookie Cutters, Cookie Jars, Costumes, Coupons, Cracker Jack Toys, Crayon Sets, Cups, Cut-Out Books, Decals, Decoders, Detective Kits, Dishes, Doll Patterns, Dolls, Drawings, Envelopes, Eyeglasses, Fans, Fast Food Premiums, Figurines, Films, Fishing Kits, Flashlights, Flickers, Flip Books, Folders, Footwear, Forks, Friction Toys, Games, Gasoline Premiums, Glasses, Globes, Gloves, Golden Books, Greeting Cards, Gum Cards, Gum Wrappers, Gun Holsters, Guns, Gyroscopes, Hair Accessories, Handbags, Handbills, Handbooks, Handkerchiefs, Hats, Helmets, Ice Cream Lids, Ingots, Instructions, Jackets, Kaleidoscopes, Key Chains, Kites, Knives, Labels, Lamps, Lariats, Leaflets, Letter Openers, Letters, License Plates, Lighters, Lithographs, Lobby Cards, Locks, Lunch Bottles, Lunch Boxes, Magazines, Magic Answer Boxes, Magic Sets, Magic Slates, Magnets, Magnifiers, Mailers, Make-Up Kits, Manuals, Maps, Marbles, Marionettes, Masks, Matches, Mechanical Toys, Medals, Membership Cards, Merchandise Catalogs, Microscopes, Mirrors, Mobiles, Model Kits, Money Clips, Movie Premiums, Movie Programs, Movie Viewers, Mugs, Musical Instruments, Napkins, Necklaces, Necktie Slides, Neckties, Newsletters, Newspaper Premiums, Newspapers, Night Lights, Noisemakers, Notepaper, Original Art, Ornaments, Package Seeds, Paddles, Paint Sets, Paper Money, Paperbacks, Paper Dolls, Paperweights, Party Supplies, Patches, Pedometers, Pen Holders, Pencil Boxes, Pencil Erasers, Pencil Holders, Pencil Sharpeners, Pencils, Pennants, Pens, Periscopes, Pez, Phonographs, Photo Frames, Photos, Pillows, Pin Wheels, Pinbacks, Pinball Machines, Pins, Pitchers, Placemats, Planters, Plaques, Plates, Playsets, Pocket Watches, Pop-Up Books, Post Cards, Posters, Pottery, Press Books, Printing Sets, Prints, Product Containers, Projection Equipment, Prototypes, Pull Toys, Pulps, Punch-Out Sets, Punching Bags, Puppets, Puzzles, Radio Guides, Radio Premiums, Radios, Records, Ribbons, Rings, Robots, Rockets, Rugs, Rulers, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Sandbox Toys, Scales, Scarves, School Bags, Science Kits, Scissors, Scrapbooks, Scripts, Sewing Kits, Sheet Music, Shirts, Show Tickets, Signs, Sirens, Skates, Sleds, Snow Domes, Soap, Song Books, Spaceships, Sparklers, Spinners, Spoons, Sporting Goods, Spurs, Squeeze Toys, Stamps, Standees, Star Finders, Stickers, Stools, Straws, Suspenders, Sweaters, Swords, Tags, Targets, Tattoos, Telephones, Telescopes, Thermometers, Tie Bars, Tin Containers, Toothbrush Holders, Toothbrushes, Tote Bags, Toy Boats, Toy Chests, Toy Televisions, Trains, Transfers, Trays, Trucks, TV Guides, TV Premiums, Umbrellas, Valentines, Videos, Viewers, Walkie Talkies, Wastebaskets, Whistles, Wind-Up Toys, Wrappers, Wrapping Paper, Wrist Watches, Writing Paper, Yearbooks, Yo-Yos