hobbyDB

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Sunny and Seasonal

26 C / 79 F

hobbyDB

I'm always getting e-mails from people from all over the world, and I never know what to expect. A month ago, I received an e-mail from Mr. Christian Braun

In his own words:

"Dear Stacey,

We just got through 200,000 catalog pages for hobbyDB and are now working more on vintage toys.  Your website comes up all the time when I do research and I wanted to ask you if you like to do two things for us:

1. Join our Advisory Board - we use our 60 advisors when we look at new types of collectibles to ask ontology and taxonomy questions, normally just one or two times a year.
2. It would be great if you add links to relevant hobbyDB pages, for example add a link to this page (note that I linked to your page on this as you have interesting information and images, we should do this with each of your brand specific posts).

Please let me know if you like the idea and if you have any questions.

Best,

Christian"

I've been writing less and less since about 1 1/2 years ago, but I still try to write. Below is the link to Hobby DB.

Please click here to visit the hobbyDB website

I decided to check out HobbyDB's website. I searched for old toys since that is what I write mostly about. 

Please do not copy any of the images below without the written permission of HobbyDB

My first search was for Buddy L. When you do a search, a page is presented with the current items that hobbyDB has in its' catalogue.

When you then click on an image, you get a catalogued and sorted image, as well as information about the toy.

And when you click on a specific image, you get an enlargement;.

Below is a screen capture of a Meccano Magazine. I also like old catalogue photos or old old magazines because of the style of artwork and old typography (fonts). 

Below is a sampling of toys from the HobbyDb database.

Below is a screen capture for the Wyandotte toy company.

The web page about Hobby DB

 The company obviously is more elaborate than mine, and also is a website that has a section for selling toys. This is a part of the company that is commercial in nature. The page below is just a "clip" of the whole page, so if you are interested in reading more, or in selling toys, you should carefully read this page.

Below is the result for a search of the Steelcraft Company. What  resulted were modern-day images from the Hallmark greeting card company. I assume that Hallmark has a licence to sell their own Steelcraft mini-reproductions of the toys that were made back in the 1930's-1950's.

I fared much better for a search of Hubley toys. Hubley, for those who don;t know, is an American Company from the 1940's-1960's.

Below is a screen-capture of the people on the Advisory Board of the HobbyDB company.

Hi Stacey,

Thanks for coming back to me.  You have our permission to use any of the hobbyDB images or screen shots and I think you know a ton about toys.  Our Advisory Board is a pretty relaxed group of people that bring a lot of perspectives to collectible taxonomy and ontology questions - I think you would be a great addition.

Re your blog and adding links, it is a little bit of manual labor and I would totally understand reluctance.  I have a team that does this kind of thing (we are sitting on 800,000 data donations, i.e. catalog entries that museums, companies, auction houses and collectors gave to us to upload, they could do this (here is how to give us access).  

Just as an FYI here is our announcement from yesterday.Please click here to visit the latest entry to their website.

As you can see, HobbyDB has an exhaustive website of lots of modern and older toys for your reference. You are also welcome to join HobbyDB and to add your own photos and information about your toys. Eventually the website will be even better, as it is always expanding its' database. You might just want to add add a link for future reference. 

Another interesting part of their website is their "manifesto". This section informs the viewer as to their purpose in their website, and how they want to help collectors out there in the world.  This section is well-written, and helps explain what hobbyDB is all about.

Please click here to read about hobbyDB's manifesto

Please click here to visit hobbyDB

Thanks for dropping by to visit,

And as always,

have a great day or night

wherever you may be.

oldantiquetoys.blogspot.com

Stacey Bindman

Universal Hobbies -Great Scaled Models from France

Friday, March 22, 2013

Universal Hobbies

(Great Scaled Models from France)

   Yesterday was a great day, because I had received an answer from Universal Hobbies (France) with permission to write about them, and of course use their photographs. I had written the company a while back, and a nice woman by the name of Camille Boujon from their Marketing Department had written back to say that I had the OK.

   As you know, I had decided about 2 months ago to introduce modern-era toys and models to my blog. In searching, I had found Universal Hobbies from France. First and foremost, I liked their photography, then their well-desinged website. But I also liked the different models that they had.  They  are an official seller of  Komatsu models, as well as a line called PPP, and of course their fine line of models. For today, I'm presenting a diversity of their Universal Hobbies and 1 PPP model.

    I couldn't find a history page for them on their site, so I will have to write Camille Boujon back. I like their slogan or motto - "For those who prefer the finest", and when you see the photos below you'll know why their motto relates well to their products. I'm sure they also have a French motto similar to the English one.

    The scales of the models are 1:12. 1:18, 1:32. 1:43. and 1:50, and so although there is plenty of detail with all the scales, the larger scales really show well. Most of the models are die cast, and some are die cast with plastic parts.

Please click here to go to their excellent website

Excellent Detail!

What I like about older machines and models is their simpler construction. My friend purchased a 1963 Dodge Valiant a few years ago.When we opened up the hood (bonnet in Great Britain),  you could see right to the ground!. Nowadays, I have no idea what's under the hood in my 2008 Toyota Corolla.By the way, that 1963 Valiant was in excellent condition. I t had been driven by an older lady who I assume had had it for all those years!

As you know, I like detail in models and toys.  What I like from a model is when it's photographed well, and you can;t tell whether it's the real-life item or a model!

Here's a Citroen small truck. I've seen a few of the Citroen's smaller car here in Montreal with the canvas roll-down roof, but never this mini-truck or van.  THat colour theme is fantastic, especially with those red walled tires!

Europeans, and especially the French always like challenges and adventure. Jacques Cousteau invented the Scuba tank, French Mountaineers have always liked to climb mountains around the world, or sail around the world, or race cars all over, especially in formidable places like tat famous Sahara race. 

I like the detail in the Renault 5 Turbo.

Length:  15 1/4"    387mm

Diecast

And to close off this post, here's something I've never seen - a twin engine tractor.

I'm sure it worked well as the real tractor, but I kept wondering if the frame and design could support the front engine? Could the overhanging engine with all of its weight still kept firmly in place by the design?

That detail is fantastic!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day, wherever you may be.

Stacey

Infmetry - Modern Antique-Looking Toys

Friday, January 18, 2013

Infmetry

(Modern Antique-Looking Toys)

    A few days ago, I decided to look for modern toys, and came across Infmetry. I saw a nice image on the Google search page (Images), and so decided to see what Infmetry was all about. I was very impressed to see such a collection of these "retro" vintage-looking toys. However, they also had some classic modern models such as the Hummer from General Motors (USA). What I also liked, which you already know I've said dozens of times, is the high-quality of the photography. So here are the beautiful items from Infmetry. I think these toys are more decorative than playing toys.

So here today are the toys from Infmetry.  They also have all sorts of other items like a flying helicopter, and a solar-powerd toy. Please have a look at their site , as it's quite interesting.

http://www.infmetry.com

(please click on the above address to be redirected to the Infmetry site)

This  post was a nice way to finish off the week!

Thanks as always for dropping by,

and have a great weekend, wherever you may be.

Stacey