November 2007 New Toys — Collectibles

Shutterbox Volume 1 by SLG PUBLISHING

We are all hiding from something. You could be hiding from the mob, hiding from a super-villian, hiding from your mom an dad, whatever. We all have a secret identity. So why hide it? The SLG Secret Identity shirt tells the world that the person you see is just a cover for some greater, cooler, altogether mightier person either just beneath the surface or existing in another dimension just waiting for you to utter your key word. 8/22/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shutterbox Volume 1 by SLG PUBLISHING

On the surface, Megan Amano seems like a typical Los Angeles girl, attending college and spending a good time of her afternoons in therapy. However, when Megan dreams, she travels to a place unlike any other- a supernatural and surreal college, one any recent high school graduate would die to attend. And usually they must.... for Merridiah University is the afterlife's premier educational institute. But for Megan, a great exception has been made. 8/22/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nightmares and Fairy Tales Volume 1: Once Upon a Time by SLG PUBLISHING

This haunting first collection of Annabelle's memories is filled with frightening stories and dark fairy tales about her various owners . Featuring the first 6 issues, as well as some other spookirific surprises, including an introduction by Tommy Kovac (Skelebunnies, Stitch and Autumn) as well as a guest page by Jhonen Vasquez and other SLG creators. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fruits Basket Tohru Honda Bust by SOUTHERN ISLAND LLC

16-year-old Tohru Honda's life seems to get stranger and stranger. After a string of tragic and bizarre circumstances, Tohru found herself working as a housekeeper for the Sohma family. Tohru's generous nature, sympathetic heart, and friendly manner are in stark contrast to the prevailing mood in the Sohma House. 8/21/2007 (Price: $39.99)

Norscot Scale Models - Cat® 226 SkidSteer Loader with Work Tools by NORSCOT COLLECTIBLES

With the large "CAT" logo visible on the back of this 1:32 SkidSteer Loader, it's not hard for kids to imagine that they've got the real thing right in the palm of their hand. It comes with an interchangeable general purpose bucket, grapple and pallet forks. The rubber treaded wheels add to the realistic features of this well-made construction model. It measures 3" high and 4.25" long and weighs 11 oz.
— "My best-selling [collectible] is a little die-cast model, SkidSteer — like a Bobcat [loader]. Norscot is the manufacturer," said Russ Mailloux of Little Digger Toys in Methuen, Mass.
— Mailloux told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that he probably sells about 12 Norscot SkidSteer Loaders a month.
— Two of 32 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly said that construction die-cast models are the best-selling collectible items in their stores. 8/20/2007 (Price: $20.00)

Thomas & Friends: Sights & Sounds Lighthouse Bridge by LEARNING CURVE

The Sights and Sounds Lighthouse Bridge is a must-have for any Thomas enthusiast. Kids can raise the drawbridge so boats can pass through below. It's also action-packed, featuring a working drawbridge, rotating lights, realistic wharf sounds and Bulstrode the Barge, a classic character on Sodor, as seen in the "Special Attraction" story. The Lighthouse Bridge comes with a 2" adapter track piece and requires two AA batteries.
— When asked about best-selling collectibles in summer 2007, Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., replied, "Thomas Wooden Railway ... the railway cars and other various items in the line."
— Loveless told TDmonthly he sells about 30 Thomas items in any given month.
— "Made from real wood, the Lighthouse Bridge features a working drawbridge as well as realistic harbor lights and sounds. It also includes a track adaptor and the highly sought-after Bulstrode the Barge," said Laura Mares of Learning Curve. 8/20/2007 (Price: $42.95)

Dump Truck by SIKU

There's no stopping this big yellow dump truck from getting the job done. The front cab tilts forward just like the real thing, and the rear open-box bed can be hydraulically raised. Also, the rear door swings open to allow the cargo to be delivered as ordered. This dump truck is stylish, rugged and functional.
— Siku construction vehicles were cited as best-selling collectible items in the store of Isis Latham, owner of Sugar Snaps Kids in Nashua, N.H.
— Latham told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that the store sells about 40 units from the Siku line per month.
— Siku has been mentioned with increasing frequency by retailers talking to TDmonthly over the last year. 8/20/2007 (Price: $39.99)

Castle Super Set by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The Castle Super Set is a fort with a dungeon and shooting cannon. The set also features four knight figurines, a scaling ladder, a castle flag and decorations. The array of weapons includes battle axes, bows with arrows and swords, accompanied by a selection of three shields with stylistic emblems. It's a full arsenal defending a mighty fort.
— "Playmobil: the knights and pirates — I sell lots of those. Kids actually collect the Playmobil and try to get every one in a category, and then a new category will come along," said Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., in summer 2007.
— "Altogether, I probably sell 50 units a month of Playmobil,” Reilly added.
— “The Castle Superset is a Knight's fortress in a sleek carrying case. Equipped with four knights, a dungeon and a large shooting cannon, kids can pretend to be the guards of the fort,” Michelle Winfrey of Playmobil told TDmonthly. 8/20/2007 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Male Dalmatian by SCHLEICH NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Made in Germany, this 1:12-scale dog is meticulously hand painted. All Schleich dog figurines are developed through a very thorough process, and the resulting figurines are realistic and detailed.
“The Schleich little animals — little kids collect all of them,” shared Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo. I would say we sell at least 100 a month.
James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., estimates he sells between 60 and 80 Schleich figurines per month.
— "Any child would love this durable Dalmatian toy figurine," said Katherine MacLean, sales and marketing coordinator for Schleich, after explaining to TDmonthly the extensive process the company’s dog figurines go through before being released to the public. 8/20/2007 (Price: $3.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Silky Sullivan by HAGEN-RENAKER INC.

Part of Hagen-Renaker's new miniature lineup for 2007, 2.75"-high Silky Sullivan is a classic figurine designed by renowned sculptress Maureen Love. First issued from 1962 to 1971, Silky Sullivan has been reissued for 2007 in memory of Love, who recently passed away.
— Hagen-Renaker figurines were cited among the top-selling collectible items in the store of Lisa Bennett, owner of Peacock Feather in Needham, Mass.
— Bennett told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that she sells about 60 to 70 units a month of the line’s collectible items.
— Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that Hagen-Renaker glass animals were among her best selling collectible items. ( Watch Video) 8/20/2007 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shining Stars - Snowy Owl by RUSS BERRIE

The White Snowy Owl is a cute and precious addition to Russ Berrie's Shining Stars lineup of collectible plush dolls. When kids purchase a Shining Stars friend, they can log onto the Shining Stars website and use the secret code inside the plush’s hangtag to register and name a star with the International Star Registry. Children can print a star certificate that gives the exact location of the star. The site also offers fun games and activities.
― When the Webkinz crunch hit and retailers were left Cheeky-Dog-less for Easter, savvy store-owners picked up the slack by turning their little Webkinz fanatics into Shining Stars lovers. Steady sales since have earned Shining Stars a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award.
— Three Sisters sold 400 Shining Stars dolls between April and July of 2007. The toys also did well during Easter 2007 for The Treasured Child in La Grange, Ky. Other retailers have reported more lukewarm sales.
— "Unlike some other Web-play plush, only Shining Stars comes with a secret code that opens up a world of Web adventure, allows collectors to get their very own star in the constellation of their choice, and helps the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation through the donation of 'glow points,'" said Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie. ( Watch Video) 8/20/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Beanie Babies - NASCAR BEARS (Complete Set of 22) by TY INC.

Ready, set, go! As part of the Beanie Babies NASCAR collection, racing heroes such as Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart each have an 8” bear with their sponsor logo embroidered on the front and their name, number and autograph embroidered on the back. The bears make the perfect gift for any racing fan. Kids and collectors can get them all. Each NASCAR bear comes with mint tags.
— "We picked up some more of the Ty Beanie Babies. There are 22 new NASCAR versions out there now," said David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., when asked about collectibles in his store.
— Two of 32 retailers said that Beanie Babies are among the best-selling collectibles in their stores. In summer 2007 they said they sold between 50 and 150 Beanie babies per month, depending on how many new versions Ty released.
— "What makes our NASCAR Beanie Babies unique is the power of the brands behind them. Ty Beanie Babies bring unsurpassed quality and affordability in an adorable package, while NASCAR is considered a top brand in professional sports today," said Dana Scott-Turkovich, marketing manager for Ty Inc. 8/20/2007 (Price: $159.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ty® Beanie Babies® NASCAR® 8" Kyle Busch #5 Bear by TY INC.

Kyle Busch, #05, was the youngest-ever pole winner in NASCAR's premier series, winning at 19 years old. After graduating with honors from Durango High School in Las Vegas in 2002, Busch pursued his passion for racing. Now, this collectible Beanie Baby lets collectors share in his passion for speed. This charming blue bear, like every other NASCAR Beanie Baby, has a sponsor's logo embroidered on the front. Kyle Busch’s name and number, as well as his signature, are embroidered on the back. An official NASCAR ribbon is tied around the bear’s neck. 8/20/2007 (Price: $13.33) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Pixar Cars Cruisin' Ramone by MATTEL INC.

This 1:55-scale die-cast car is part of the Disney Pixar Cars Supercharged line. Launch date: June 2007. 8/20/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zibbies – Lily Ladybug by PLAY VISIONS INC.

This friendly-looking ladybug sprung from the imagination of author Stephen Cosgrove. Lily has a huge, welcoming smile and very stretchy, cool hair that can be strung out, tied up or twisted around. With the face of a cartoon character, Lily is sure to inspire a whole collection of Zibbies. Those who adopt Lily can look at the Zibbies website to learn more about her story and her extended Zibbies family. 8/20/2007 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Knight Baron by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Ready to charge into battle at any second, the sturdy plastic Knight Baron from Playmobil comes with charming details and a cartoonish, endearing face. The knight’s generous red beard is covered by an intricate helmet and his armor is completely removable. Knight Baron comes with a sword, shield and trusty dog companion. He is fully compatible with all the Playmobil knight accessories. Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., told TDmonthly, “I sell lots of those. Altogether, I probably sell 50 units a month of Playmobil. Kids actually do collect the Playmobil and try to get every one in a category, and then a new category will come along.” 8/20/2007 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pirates - Boxed Set by SCHYLLING

Get set to sail on the high seas with this boxed set of pirate fun! This complete set of fun comes with three pirate figurines, a boat and two chests of booty. Sturdy plastic figurines are brightly painted so that young collectors can act out their favorite pirate scenes. Sturdy construction means hours of fun, and these figures can be used with other Schylling pirates and accessories. Young collectors can set up the pirates in dioramas or still poses, or use them as play figures. Schylling offers “lots of nice incentives for retailers, such as with shipping,” Donna Sedgwick of Toy Mill in Tiverton, R.I., told TDmonthly. 8/20/2007 (Price: $4.99)

Singing Bird by TOY SCI COMPANY

From her perch, this colorful bird sings a song and moves along with the tune. 8/17/2007

Balsa Wood Carving – Toucan on Base by THE ETHNIC COLLECTION S.A.

This 30 cm toucan on a base is made from timber that comes from balsa wood plantations in the Ecuadorian coastal region. Handmade products from The Ethnic Collection feature exotic designs and colors taken from the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. Production includes cutting a balsa wood piece into basic blocks, carving it with a knife, kiln drying the piece, filling in cracks and sanding the surface, engraving details and adding colorful paint. 8/17/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 10th Anniversary Premium Trading Cards by INKWORKS

A new 90-card premium base set from Inkworks includes images from the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series that have never before appeared on trading cards. The product also includes randomly inserted Pieceworks costume cards, a special Propworks card that includes a slice of the stake used on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and much more. Cards are available in packs of eight, as shown. “This set gives collectors the opportunity to own pieces of costumes and a stake from the show as well as cards that offer exclusive insights into the series from creator Joss Whedon,” Any Modlin of Inkworks PR told TDmonthly. 8/16/2007 (Price: $3.49)

AT-43 Defender Snake Unit Box by RACKHAM

Defender Snake has two medium missile launchers and comes with a supply container. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $40.00)

AT-43 Death Dealer TacArms Unit Box by RACKHAM

Each of the three included TacArms comes with two Volcano MG, and the set includes three collector cards. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $30.00)

AT-43 Spetsnatz Kommandos Attachment Box by RACKHAM

This set includes the following: one officer with Gauss rifle and combat knife; one rocket launcher bearer; two flamer bearers; one combat engineer with Gauss rifle and combat knife; and one medic with Gauss rifle and combat knife. Each carries grenades and wears a helmet. “Miniatures already mounted and painted fit with new players’ expectations: instant fun, with beautiful miniatures,” Franck Cornuault, in marketing at Rackham, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $30.00)

AT-43 Krasnye Soldaty Attachment Box by RACKHAM

This set includes one officer with assault rifle and combat knife, one rocket launcher bearer, two grenade launcher bearers, one mechanic with assault rifle and combat knife, and one medic with assault rifle and combat knife. All have grenades and wear a cap. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $30.00)

AT-43 Kossak Unit Box by RACKHAM

This figure includes two medium rocket launchers and comes with a supply container. Launch date: July 2007. 8/9/2007 (Price: $40.00)