Category Archives: Humor

A Good Day at the Flea Market

Ah the flea market! Is there a better place to be early in the morning? All the treasures of popular culture seem to find their way there sooner or later. Armed with a few bucks in your wallet, a little … Continue reading

Posted in 1910's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Americana, Comic Characters, Humor, Jim, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

In Living Color Homey D. Clown Plush Doll

Homey don’t play dat…but apparently, you can play with Homey! In the early 1990s, the sketch comedy show In Living Color was enormously popular. It was the first truly well-received sketch show alternative to “Saturday Night Live” in a long … Continue reading

Posted in 1990's, Ben, Dolls, Humor, Toys, Uncategorized, Weird | Leave a comment

Mattel’s Food Fighters Variations – Now in Four Exciting New Flavors!

Were you ever scolded as a kid for playing with your food? Well, I was lucky enough to grow up in an era where there was one time that it was absolutely okay to get your hands all over donuts … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Food, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

The Le Macabre Skull

It seems like ages since I have written an article for The Collector Gene, so I wanted to come back with one of my favorite pieces from my collection.  I have been waiting to write about this one for a … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, Advertising, Amy, English, Foreign, Halloween, Historical, Humor, Monsters, Signs, Weird | 1 Comment

When Your Holidays Need a Little Less Cheer and a Little More Fear, Bring in the Krampus.

For many years very few Americans seemed to be aware of some of the stranger characters associated with Christmas in other countries around the world.  Every country has their own traditions, and ours are rather tame compared to most.  All … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, Amy, Art, Christmas, Dolls, Foreign, Hand Made, Holiday, Humor, Miniatures, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week: Sad Santa Story Told in Six 1906 Keystone Stereo Cards – Or a Real Nightmare Before Christmas!

We haven’t featured a “Pick of the Week” in a while, but we wanted to share last weekend’s holiday-themed find with you.  It’s a set of six stereo cards published by the Keystone View Company in 1906 that Jim and … Continue reading

Posted in 1900's, Americana, Carol, Christmas, Ephemera, Holiday, Humor, Weird | Leave a comment

For the Love of Christmas Pixies!

It is now December, which means it is time to break out the decorations and make it look like Christmas threw up in our house!  We at the Collector Gene all love Christmas, and want to take some time this … Continue reading

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, 2010's, Amy, Christmas, Dolls, Hand Made, Holiday, Humor, Road Trip, Toys | 7 Comments

Smile! A Cross-Eyed Pumpkin-Headed Guy Just for You

Once you start collecting vintage Halloween items, you notice how frequently fruit and vegetable-headed figures show up.  Here’s a good example of a small, incidental bisque figurine that was probably produced in the 1930′s and sold for a nickel or … Continue reading

Posted in 1930's, Carol, Halloween, Holiday, Humor, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

Meet the Oh Lantern Family!

As much as I’d like to say that I was a pretty decent artist as a kid, I was never able to master the art of pumpkin carving. From drawing the outline on the uneven surface of the pumpkin to … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Amy, Ben, Halloween, Holiday, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 6 Comments

I Know I Am a Child of the 80’s and 90’s… But I Totally Had a Monster-Nik Growing Up.

It feels like forever since I have written an article, and in honor of it being October I wanted to write about something Halloween-related.  In this case, I wanted to talk about one of my favorite Halloween toys as a … Continue reading

Posted in 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Action Figures, Amy, Halloween, Holiday, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 2 Comments