Well the biggest battery operated toy show ever held is over. That is the way we must refer to the Kennedy International Antique Toy Convention held Sunday, September 23^rd, 1979, at the International Hotel, Kennedy Airport, New York. There is no question about it — the battery toys have taken over, and not to be repetitious about it in any way, the writer predicted this several years ago. All signs were in this direction and now it’s happened. Battery toys have established a firm foundation and a big permanent place in the toy collecting field.

One dealer, an experienced person having handled mechanical banks and some toys for years, looked a little dazed and made the comment that he couldn’t understand what was going on. (He obviously hasn’t thought much about battery toys.) Once again there is nothing so permanent as change, and to those who couldn’t read the handwriting on the wall a few years ago all we can say is they better hop on the band wagon.

The place was absolutely mobbed with dealers and collectors alike starting at 8:30 A.M. This was due to the fact that a $25 floor charge allowed the non-exhibitors to go in before the regular opening time at 10:00 A.M. It sure added to the confusion, however, it did put a stop to some collectors who in the past would pay for table space and exhibit one or two items for sale. This so they could get in early before the 10:00 A.M. regular opening time. In any case, collectors and dealers were there from all over the United States and Canada, as well as England, France, Germany, Switzerland and, believe it or not, Japan. It’s really ironic when you consider that Japanese people are coming to our country to find toys that were made in Japan. These toys made in the late 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are simply not in Japan. They were in the main shipped to the United States and some to other countries.

Those in the know about this show go on Saturday and believe it there is plenty of action on Saturday afternoon and night in many rooms which are open with all items for sale or trade. There is a lot of trading that goes on between dealer and collector alike, with many of the important items gone before the regular Sunday opening. So if you really want in on the important action, Saturday has a lot to recommend it. Understand, of course, that this is in a much more limited and concentrated area as many dealers do not exhibit, or arrive for that matter, until the regular show opening on Sunday.

There were some good mechanical and still banks for sale and these were shown by Bob McCumber, Haley from England, Joe Olimpio, Whitson, Don Markey, and several others. Perhaps the best and rarest of the mechanicals in the show was the Royal Trick Elephant. This went from Whitson into the ever increasing collection of Al Davidson. It’s a pretty tough bank to come by and Al was very pleased to get it.

Along with the mechanicals and still banks, there were a number of the early type cast iron horse drawn toys, as well as some motorcycles, automobiles, and trucks from the 1920’s and 30’s. Along with this were tin toys, including comics, cars, and so on, also from the 1920’s and 30’s. So really there was something for everyone in the toy collecting field.

Back to the battery toys since they were more or less the feature of this 1979 show, a number of dealers had outstanding displays. John O’Connor had his usual fine assortment in his usual spot by the entrance way. The writer obtained a very exceptional space toy from John with a simulated lighted atomic motor. Quite nice.

Another fine group of battery toys were displayed by George Hall who has Hallmark Antiques in Oakland, California. Among others, he had the Circus Lion in pristine condition in the original box. This is a great toy with the lion rearing up on his hind legs, clawing with his front legs, and opening his mouth with loud roars.

Lloyd Ralston did a great job with battery toys. His room Saturday night was literally filled with them and then well displayed on Sunday. He had Robots, space toys, and a good general variety with many types to choose from. Lloyd’s son, Glenn, hotfooted around the show and picked up some fine items for his dad’s battery operated toy collection. Everyone had a good chance at this show, however, as no one can be every place at the same time.

Brian Moran was among those with an excellent group of battery toys, as well as wind-ups. He also had some above average space toys and a Robot or two.

Larry Eisenstein and his mother, Grace had a choice display of a wide variety of toys and nostalgia items. This included some fine battery toys, a few Robots and space items, wind-ups, and things from the 1930’s and 40’s.

Jean Placente had her usual high level display of toys — tin wind-ups, battery operated, friction, and so on. She had a really great King Kong from the 1960’s, a remote control battery toy of good proportions, mostly metal, and very realistic, beating his chest and emitting loud gorilla sounds.

The Sadagursky’s toys were just great. Fine comics and tin wind-ups from the 1920’s through the 40’s, some great battery operated items including an unusual all metal Teddy Bear beating a drum. They had some nice space pieces and a Robot or two, including a fine tin swinging Robot.

It really was a great show and all the dealers the writer talked to said they had brisk sales, lots of action, and a good day of business. There were a lot of toys turned over here, and sorry to say we now have to wait another year. Sure would be great to have this show in the Spring as well as the fall.

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