Here we’ve got a collection of various toys. At first I thought it was odd that different, unrelated brands would share an ad, but then realized that this is actually for a store that sells these toys, so they probably just threw together their most popular stuff for this ad.
If I could pick anything from this ad, I think I’d have to go with the Mego dolls, and if I could only pick one, it would be Spider-Man. What about you?
OK, I know it’s been over half a year since I’ve posted anything – sorry! I’ve had a few scans left over that I’ve been meaning to post, so here you go…
So here we have “Our Best MOVIE PROJECTOR”! And not only that, but it also comes with a screen and 3D “Stereo Specs” for free! I’m curious about how those 3D glasses “worked” – unless something was actually filmed in 3D and you’re using those red/blue glasses, I wouldn’t have high hopes. I’m guessing they were something like X-Ray Spex that just slightly distorted your vision.
Also, they mention both a regular projector and a deluxe model… but never indicate what the difference is… and only have the deluxe model on the order form. So I guess if you’re looking for a budget model, you’re out of luck!
Only $4.99 for these fabulous Battlestar Galactica T-shirts! Though back in 1979 that $4.99 would’ve been more like $17.50 today – so while it won’t break the bank, it’s not exactly chump change either.
With five designs and six colors to choose from you’ve got quite a few options to choose from! I’d be curious to see the data on which design/color combinations were most popular (just because I’m a nerd like that). Personally, I think I’d go for the Battlestar Crew on light blue – what would you pick?
Well, like most classifieds, we’ve got lots of comic lists and lots of stamps! And the award for least creative company name on this page goes to Comic Sales Company!
I know I’ve voiced my concern before about sending live animals through the mail, but I still find it kind of weird that you can order seahorses by mail order – seems like it would be pretty treacherous for them!
When I first glanced at this ad, I assumed it was for Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars, but it turns out they’re actually made by Marx. I’d never actually heard of this company, and figured it was probably some minor, short-lived business.
Wow, was I ever wrong! It turns out that Marx began in 1919 and was considered the top toy company for decades! This is the company that created such iconic toys as Rock’em Sock’em Robots and Big Wheels!
But, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Marx started to shut down plants the same year this ad was published, and was completely out of business as of 1980.
This is my favorite of the GRIT ads I’ve featured, since it’s actually in the form of a comic. It’s so much more colorful and entertaining than the others. Here we have the story of Chris, a prematurely gray-haired kid who doesn’t have enough money to go have fun with his friends. But then he discovers GRIT! And his whole life is made better because of it!
I noticed the artist’s signature of either “N. Rosate” or “H. Rosate” in the third panel. I looked it up, hoping to find some info about the artist, but couldn’t find anything. However, just the fact that this art made it into an ad actually published in a comic book is a huge accomplishment – I’m sure tons of hopeful comic artists never get to see their work in print at all. So, Mr. (or Ms.) Rosate, I salute you for actually living the dream and getting your work published – even if it is just in an ad!
I kind of remember Micronauts being around, but never actually had any. Most of what I know about them actually came from Netflix’s “The Toys That Made Us” (which, if you haven’t watched yet – GO CHECK IT OUT RIGHT NOW!). It was interesting to learn that they actually came about because there was a material shortage, and making smaller action figures was a cost-cutting measure.
OK, maybe I’m overthinking this (in fact, I almost certainly am), but Membros is a “scaley-skinned android”? First of all, it should be “scaly,” not “scaley.” Second of all, ANDROIDS DON’T HAVE SKIN BECAUSE THEY’RE ROBOTS!! If he was a cyborg, then it would be plausible that he could have skin, but not as a straight-up android! What were these people thinking??
Also, for Antron – what do you wanna bet that someone working at Mego was named Anton, and that’s how they came up with the name? “Anton… AnTRON! Nailed it!”
Nope, it’s not a villain from Batman — it’s a brand of ice pops!
Yep, for only $2.99 with the purchase of a pack of Freeze Pops, you could get this pool float! I give them credit in their choice of promotional product — since the inflated sections of the float actually look like Freeze Pops, it’s a great promo!
It’s the Fun Factory again! We’ve seen these guys before in 1978 and 1980, and they’re (mostly) still up to their same old tricks!
I would love to see statistics from this place – what were their biggest sellers, vs. what products were duds?
One thing that I find interesting is the fact that it says “OFFER VALID UNTIL AUGUST 1986” – that’s seven years from the time this was printed! Considering that a lot of these items went up in price by the very next year, it would be worth it to dig around for an older comic!
Well, this ad isn’t nearly as entertaining as Captain America & Nick Fury or The Penguin extolling the excellence of Hostess products, but that doesn’t make the snacks any less tasty!
Since I know pretty much nothing about sports, I wasn’t familiar with these, but apparently they were a pretty big deal back in the day! Some avid collectors would check back at the store whenever Hostess snacks were restocked, and go through all the boxes to find the ones they needed – good thing the cards were printed on the outside of the boxes, so you could see what you were getting!
Comic Book Ads 