Wednesday, February 16, 2000
Offers made on old toys
Collectors seek treasures
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE — Troy and Bobbi King of Walton were delighted with their visit Tuesday to the toy road show put on by the International Toy Collectors Association.
The Kings brought a Charmin' Chatty doll, complete with the original box, for ITCA official Billy McCurley to examine. The doll, which still talked, was made in 1962-63.
Mr. McCurley offered the Kings $190 for the doll, which they happily accepted. When new, the doll sold for about $8.
The ITCA, with some 5,700 members, sends representatives around the country on these road trips where they set up shop in hotels such as the Florence Ramada and encourage people to bring in their old toys for examination and sale.
“It's always slowest on the first day,” Mr. McCurley said of the fairly light showing of 60 to 70 people Tuesday. “The second and third days are always better.” The ITCA folks will be at the Ramada again today and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The ITCA representatives examine the toys, noting condition and other areas that have a bearing on collectability and price, and then call in to the ITCA offices in Athens, Ill., where association officials check their computer for members interested in a particular item. A price is determined, which is then quoted to the owner for a decision on whether to sell.
For 57-year-old David Lusenhop of Lakeside Park, an offer of $850 for a pair of gasoline-powered race cars from the 1940s didn't tempt him to part with the toys he has had since he was a boy.
“I was curious as to what they were worth,” Mr. Lusenhop said. “I don't have any desire to sell them. I understand now I can probably find some missing parts through (ITCA) members, so I may wind up buying from them.”
Mr. McCurley, who is an ITCA director, said nothing really unusual turned up Tuesday, but he didn't doubt that Greater Cincinnati probably held some real toy collector treasures.
“We usually find something really impressive that has been sitting in someone's grandparents' attic for years gathering dust,” he said.
Mr. McCurley said ITCA members are primarily interested in such old toys as robots, space toys, tin wind- up toys, Barbie dolls and accessories, early Tonka trucks, and various cast-iron toys.
“Most serious collectors are looking for toys in mint condition in the original boxes,” he said, displaying the Charmin' Chatty doll bought from the Kings. “Because of the Internet, there are many more collectible toys on the market now. Most are in average condition.”
Mr. McCurley emphasized that the ITCA representatives at the Ramada are not there to appraise toys.
“We are buying for our members,” he said. “We provide some information about the toys, along with an evaluation. And we pay cash for the toys.”
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