August 2009 Notable Toys — Collectibles

The Toy Story pens come in three styles: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Little Green Men. "Toy Story Talking Pens will be launching just in time for the re-release of 'Toy Story' 1 & 2 and the release of 'Toy Story 3' in 2010. Launch date: December 2009.

The Texan Bull is part of the Farm Life Series by Papo, featuring detailed artwork on hand-painted figurines. Launch date: April 2009.

This hand-painted Turtle Caouanne is a 2009 addition to the Papo Sea Animals Collection. "The realism, poses, movement, detail and quality that Papo offers," set these figurines apart, Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

The Papo Lioness with cub is created with detail and designed to authentically display how lionesses really carry around their cubs. "[The] Papo wildlife series is easily the best-quality figure for the price," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2006.

This "I Love Lucy" doll was made to resemble Lucille Ball when she was a baby and to serve as a memory of Lucy's famous TV episode (No. 30) when she did a commercial to promote a tonic called Vitameatavegamin. It is available in limited quantity. Launch date: September 30, 2009.

Tynies are glass collectibles, introduced in 2008 with 40 different styles. New styles are released three times per year. Each Tynies has a name — each name is three letters. First edition Tynies come on a cardboard base that can be removed by soaking in water for about one minute. Because Tynies are handmade, they vary in color and shape.
— Christine Osborne, co-owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that Tynies are her best selling keepsake item. They sell about 200 per month in each store.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly Tynies were their best selling collectibles. Elmer Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell 8-10 Tynies each month.
— In an August 2013 survey Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that Tynies are one of the store's best-selling collectible lines.

Printies™ Design Studio kits and refill packs are created as affordable at-home activity kits that allow children to take their online design creations offline like never before. Using their home PCs, inkjet printers and special patent-pending Printies™ fabric sheets, children can bring their online designs to life as soft, 3-D, collectible stuffed toys. It’s simple: they design online at MyPrinties.com, print on both sides of Printies fabric sheets with any inkjet printer, tear along the perforated shape and pop out the Printies design, stuff it, and put it on display. Launch date: Fall 2009.

While Octopi may look like just another plush toy, but stored in its head is a family dice game and a distinctive treasure. Grippa’s game is Sink or Swim, for two to four players. During a turn, players roll dice and try to score points to collect seashells. Whoever has the most shells at the end of the game wins. "Each Octopi has a unique look, personality, dice game and treasure that support the collectibility value of the item," Steve Hart, co-founder of FunHub Creative, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

The fierce AT-TE, which stands for All Terrain Tactical Enforcer, is a six-legged walking tank equipped to take to any landscape and deploy Clone troops into battle. The model has articulated legs, electronic walking sounds, a firing main blaster cannon with electronic sounds, and six laser turrets.  When adjusting one of the four front cannons, the rest of them move to target together. When the auto-deploy hatch is activated, recorded Clone Wars trooper phrases play. 
— In July 2009, three of 49 retailers told TDmonthly the Star Wars license accounts for their best-selling collectibles.

Seventeen inches tall, Alexander the Trademark Bear is covered in rich, gray-tipped alpaca fiber. His jointed limbs move and his paws are padded with Belleseime Ultrasuede. He wears a medallion inscribed with the 1947 version of Steiff’s recognizable logo, and is the second in a series of bears commemorating different versions of the evolving logo.
— Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., said in July 2009 that Steiff is one of her collectible mainstays. “We're considering doing a Steiff event to really let people know we have it.”
— Three of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Steiff plush is their top-selling collectible line.

This interchangeable charm features a full-color image and a round clasp. Full length including clasp is 1.5". Launch date: March 2004.

ActionJetz minijetz are cool diecast planes that each come with a secret code card. With it, kids and parents can chat, play and learn new stuff in the online world of ActionJetz.

This soft and whimsical designer plush friend has cuddly fur and wears a smile at all times. She measures 7" H x 7.4" W x 11.7" L.

Each uniquely designed, 6" Kooky Klicker character pen features a name, birth order and numbered holographic sticker. There are hundreds of designs available, each topped with brightly colored stringy hair that bounces and springs when kids write. "Fresh new characters coming out monthly add to the collectibility of the brand. Kids always have to have the next new krew," Melanie Ghiz, marketing manager of Courage Brands Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

These designer plush toys are made in limited edition batches from a Swedish designer. Spok-spok was a runner-up for Plush Toy of the Year 2007 from Plastic and Plush. Launch date: June 2007.

This cell phone charm features a fortune-bringing piece of golden poop. The size is approximately 1 cm x 9 cm. Launch date: June 6, 2009.

This 70th anniversary edition of Madeline is packaged in a see-through can bag with a pink rope handle. Madeline is dressed in a delft blue, lace-trimmed dress adorned with famous Parisian locales from the original book. Madeline’s red hair is tied on one side with a satiny blue bow. She stands 13.5” tall. Launch date: April 2009.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. In funky, bright colors girls can display their grade with pride with this set.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set offers a new, fun style for girls to show off their initials.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set features some sweet snacks for the sweet tooth in every little girl.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named Snap Caps when asked about their top sellers going into the holiday season 2009.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set features bright, fun, trendy little owls to brighten up any outfit.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
— Six of 39 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in October 2009 that Snap Caps are a hot seller for tween girls.
— Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., sold 50 Snap Caps in two weeks, Co-owner June Hargrove reported in fall 2009.
— "I sell about 10 per week with the straps," Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly of best-selling Snap Caps in late fall 2009.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace.  For the BFFs out there, this collection serves to strengthen their friendship between each other.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This collection of Snap Caps appeals to those with a sweet tooth as the collection features candies and sweets such as lollipops, ice cream, and gumballs.