Category Archives: Ben

Reversible Plush Gremlins (Mohawk and Daffy)

Posted on July 9, 2013 by

It took me a very, very long time to get over my fear of Gremlins. As a kid of the 1980s, I was inundated by product after product of all the various popular movies, television shows, and toys that a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Ben, Monsters, Movies, Toys, Weird | 5 Comments

Silverhawks Copper Kidd Animation Cel

Posted on June 20, 2013 by

Over the years, I’ve been able to add a few animation cels to my collection. I find them fascinating just because, to me, they are far more than just artwork. These cels are literally what brought a cartoon to life. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Animation, Art, Ben, Toys | Leave a comment

Pick of the Week: Animation Cel from “The Simpsons”

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

This past weekend, I set up at the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia to unload some of my vintage toy collection. Of course, part of the fun of being a dealer is being able to look around and buy … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990's, Ben, Comic Characters, Humor, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

In Living Color Homey D. Clown Plush Doll

Posted on May 12, 2013 by

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 | 1 Comment

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

Posted on March 4, 2013 by

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 | 2 Comments

Manglor Mountain: A Tale of When Lightning Strikes Twice

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

Not surprisingly, I’ve made quite a few friends over the years in the collecting community. Since I’m out and about constantly hunting for vintage toys, I often ask my friends if there are any specific items they’d like me to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Monsters | 5 Comments

LJN Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Fortress of Fangs

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

When I go to a toy show or a flea market, chances are that I can afford whatever I want to buy. Granted, the things that I collect tend not to be terribly valuable. Most of the most valuable things … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Monsters, Toys | 4 Comments

G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero Christmas Ornaments

Posted on December 21, 2012 by

I’ve been fortunate to grow up in an era in which character ornaments have been commonplace. Heck, in 2012, it’s a great time to be a child of the 1980s. In Hallmark stores alone, there’s a DeLorean Back to the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Action Figures, Ben, Christmas | 2 Comments

Have a Very Disney Christmas with Mickey, Goofy, Tron, and V.I.N.C.E.N.T.

Posted on December 4, 2012 by

As evidenced by the other articles you’re seeing pop up this month on The Collector Gene, we’re a family that’s very, very, VERY much into the holiday season. My parents have been very, very lucky to amass such a nice … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Advertising, Ben, Disney | Leave a comment

Meet the Oh Lantern Family!

Posted on October 24, 2012 by

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 | 18 Comments