Category Archives: Toys

Travel-Log #3: Platte City, Missouri – 9/9/12 Submitted by Carol

Posted on September 19, 2012 by

After several hours of soaking up history in St. Joseph, Missouri and Atchison, Kansas (Pony Express Museum, Patee House, the house where Jesse James was killed, and Amelia Earhart’s birthplace), we were heading south along the Missouri River toward Kansas … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, Americana, Carol, Disney, Ephemera, Historical, Jim, Political, Road Trip, Toys, WWII | Leave a comment

Travel Log #2: LeClaire, Iowa 9/7/12 Reported by Carol

Posted on September 13, 2012 by

We entered LeClaire, Iowa, which is just north of Interstate 80 and on the banks of the Mississippi River, at about 9:45 a.m.  I was taking note of the price of gas at a BP station when Jim shouted, “There … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920's, 1930's, 1950's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera, Humor, Jim, Road Trip, Signs, Toys, Vehicular | Leave a comment

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinjas

Posted on August 28, 2012 by

In preparing for this article, I’ve spent 28 years of my life being a giant nerd. I also looked through our website searching for the term “crossover collectible,” and since I haven’t seen it yet, now is as good a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Action Figures, Ben, Miniatures, Monsters, Toys | 13 Comments

Smile: Playboy Bunny

Posted on August 16, 2012 by

Is that face familiar?  It may be if you are over 50 years old… and more likely male.  Who is this cute happy guy?  Why, the original Playboy Bunny, of course. This bunny, which stands nearly two feet tall, is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950's, 1960's, Advertising, Carol, Dolls, Humor, Toys, Weird | 5 Comments

Pick Of The Week: Huge MASK Collection

Posted on August 5, 2012 by

I have to preface this post by saying that this is not a typical find for me. I’ll make a few insane scores like this in a given year, but that’s not reflective of what I’m doing on a weekly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Toys, Vehicular | 6 Comments

Transformers Sandbot

Posted on August 2, 2012 by

Let’s face it, if you’re looking for a toy that you can change from one thing and make it resemble something else entirely, sand is pretty much the ultimate Transformer. Though sand sculptures may have their origins as far back … Continue reading →

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Toys, Vehicular, Weird | Leave a comment

Smile: Lebanon Bologna from Lebanon, PA

Posted on July 31, 2012 by

What could this happy guy with his jaunty bow-tie be smiling about?  His love of Lebanon bologna, of course! He might be a little bit biased, though.  After all, he IS a giant Lebanon bologna himself holding a smaller Lebanon … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960's, Advertising, Carol, Dolls, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

Pick Of The Week: Factory-Built Aurora Monsters

Posted on July 25, 2012 by

Besides Carol’s “Smile” photo project, we would also like to introduce “Pick of the Week”!  Each week (or as we go out looking for new old stuff) we will pick our favorite find of the week!  Pretty simple, right? To … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960's, Amy, Jim, Monsters, Toys, Weird | Leave a comment

Have a Happy Fourth of July! Here’s Something to Put a Smile on Your Face!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by

New on Collectorgene.com:  Beginning today, we at the CollectorGene want to start bringing you something to smile about weekly.  In addition to our full-length articles, we will be posting themed photos with short descriptions. “Smile” will be brought to you … Continue reading →

Posted in 1900's, 1910's, Americana, Carol, Holiday, Toys | Leave a comment

South American Bart Simpson

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

I can’t say that I’ve been a Simpsons fan since day one. The reason for that is because in order for that to be true, I would have had to have watched The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1990's, Action Figures, Ben, Foreign, Humor, Toys, Weird | 8 Comments