Modern Toys, Toy Robots, Battery Toys and Japanese Toys

I have a good friend and neighbor across the street from my house that absolutely loves toys-specifically toy robots, tin toys and battery toys.

It just so happens that Schiffer Publishing has a huge selection of books about said subjects and so I thought since he’s a big toy fan like me it would be cool to write a review.

After writing the review I plan on taking the books over to my neighbor and we can both sit down, peruse through the four books’ pages and basically geek out over all the cool toys.  Sounds like a plan.

First up from Schiffer is Modern Toys From Japan 1940s-1980s written and researched by William C. Gallagher.

This oversize hardbound book is chock full of color photos along with full descriptions of each toy and includes a price guide.

There’s even a historical overview.

Talk about a lot of toys! Everything from aircraft, vehicles, animals, boats, cars, buses, Walt Disney figures, playhouse toys and much, much more are included in this colorful, delightful and just plain fun to look at book.

Next up is Toy Robots From Japan by Alan Bunkum, which also includes a price guide.

It too is a large hardbound book filled with techno fantasies color photos.  

Each robot is given an extensive examination as to its history, manufacture, technology and more.

Talk about a lot of details!  I never knew there was so much to know about toy robots!  From tinplates to high-tech all of the robots are marvels of Japanese ingenuity and know-how.

Japanese Toys Amusing Things From The Past by William Gallagher also has a price guide included.

This book is heavy on toy history and even includes a gallery of toy company logos!

Every conceivable type of toy is included along with full details, prices, manufacture dates and what material each is made of.

This is a serious book for the serious toy collector.  It’s an absolutely invaluable asset to any Japanese toy collector.

Author Brian Moran has written a book called Battery Toys The Modern Automata (Revised Second Edition) that includes a price guide.

This book examines tinplate toys and novelty toys that walk, run, jump, shoot sparks and just about anything else that battery power allows them to do.

Boy, does this bring back memories.  I loved action/battery toys as kid.  Just watching the toys scoot about, move, light up and spark thrilled me to no end.

Once you take a look at this fascinating book you’ll be just like a little kid again with his or her first electric/battery toy.

I can not stress enough just how highly I recommend all of these book.  Schiffer Publishing produces outstanding books about collectibles of all types. 

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”