Mechanical Banks: Antique Toys

Though children of various ages still cling lovingly to their favorite toys and virtually beg their parents for a trip to the toy store for the latest craze, there is perhaps no love of toys that surpasses that of antique toy collectors. Toys of the past several decades, that have been both hot items in their own rite and that are now collected with enthusiasm, include such items as G.I. Joe dolls, Star Wars action figures, Cabbage Patch Dolls, and Matchbox cars.

But for the true antique toy enthusiast, pre-World War II toys are treasures to be cherished. Among these are dolls, almost perfect reproductions of cars, trains, airplanes, and tanks, as well as various other items. The increasing popularity of the Internet, which has dictated that the World Wide Web become accessible to the general population, has naturally led to the expansion of these collection activities. While general auction sites make items available for potential buyers and collectors and provide a liquid market for sellers, there have also emerged a number of sites that are dedicated specifically to antique toys.

Among these are sites that fall into the two major categories of this genre, those being dealer sites and collector sites. While many such sites are not exactly professional in appearance and can be difficult to navigate, they nonetheless reflect the enthusiasm of their owners. At the same time, some sites exist that present information in an extremely orderly manner and are definitely worth a look for those interested in antique toys.