Category Archives: Weird

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

Happy 204th Birthday, Abe! Let’s Celebrate With a Lincoln Candy Container

The more time passes, the more people seem to appreciate the leadership and genius of Abraham Lincoln.  Four years ago, much was made of the bicentennial of his birth.  Right now, much is being made of an outstanding movie that … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1920's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Political, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

The Michelin Advertising Figure – Rollin to the “Roadshow” with Bibendum

The seventeenth season of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” just started recently.  I have to admit that of all the shows dealing with antiques that have aired over the years, I still like this one the best.   Based on the even longer … Continue reading

Posted in 1800's, 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, Advertising, Foreign, Historical, Jim, Weird | Leave a 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

Rock Lords – The Gnarliest of Narlies, Snarlie Narlie!

I’ve mentioned Rock Lords in passing in my Kojak article, but I’ll elaborate a little further. While Transformers and Go-Bots were the most popular of the transforming toys of the 1980s, there were several other smaller lines that were popular … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Toys, Weird | 1 Comment

Smile! A Traditional Jack O’Lantern Wishes You a Happy Halloween!

This jack o’lantern may be smiling, but there’s something slightly menacing about it.  Of course, that’s part of his appeal to collectors.  Over seven inches in height, he’s made of a paper pulp product that was shaped by pressing into … Continue reading

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, Americana, Carol, Halloween, Holiday, Uncategorized, Weird | Leave a comment