Toys From Occupied Japan, Collecting The Space Race and Toy Cars

After Japan lost World War II to the United States, the U.S. sent troops to occupy Japan as it rebuilt.  In fact, the U.S. still has troops in Japan.

During the height of the occupation Japan went through a huge change, especially when it came to manufacturing.

Japan manufacturers soon caught on that American troops bought merchandise and that a huge consumer market was available in the United States.

With its burgeoning industry and cheap labor Japan began producing cheap consumer goods for the American market.

Among this merchandise were toys of all types from tinplate to electric, plush and more-specifically targeted at American consumers.

In Toys From Occupied Japan, written by Anthony R. Maresella and published by Schiffer Publishing, said toys are examined.

Along with a price guide the book presents page after page of full color photos of toys of every type along with the label names and sizes.

In Collecting The Space Race, by Stuart Schneider, America’s fascination with the space program is examined.

Products such as toys, appliances, model kits, photos, art and just about every conceivable type of merchandise featuring the space race are spotlighted along with lots of informational and historical text and a price guide.

Toy Cars Of Japan and Hong Kong, by Andrew G Ralston, delves in to the fascinating world of diecast and tin collectible toys.

From the family sedan to more exotic cars such as the TV Batmobile the book breaks the collectibles down by year, manufacturer, type of car (such as battery powered and friction) and includes a price guide, a gallery of full color photos and loads of information.