Toys Toys Toys!

Toy-Story-Main
Fueling youthʼs early interest in motorcycles long before the age they can grab the handlebar themselves, the motorcycle toy can rivet even an adult’s attention. On a tabletop or down on the floor, wind-up, friction or just cast iron push type, the motorcycle toy doubtless helped make some motorcycle riders of the future. This large, complete motorcycle toy collection on view at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa includes some small machines so rare and fine they may have been bought by adults for personal display!
Toy-Story-Second
The motorcycle toy collection shown here is the work of well-known motorcycle collector, and founder of J&P Cycles, John Parham. Parham has been collecting not just fine real motorcycles for over 25 years, but the museum he presides over has amazing graphic art, memorabilia, apparel, petroleana, bicycles, even full scale diorama representations of motorcycle racing scenes. So adding motorcycle toys to the mix of great objects on display, adding something to excite youth was a natural for Parham. “I remember a few select toys from my youth, how I longed for them and eventually got them from my parents and played with them a long time, really enjoyed them. I see this in my grandson now as well. The design and manufacture of what he enjoys is much different from these antiques, but they are just as important to him. ”Many of the toys in the collection represent real life motorcycle use and some even employ mechanisms to put the rider and machine into action. Soldiers, police, firemen, competition riders, the ice cream man, there are even circus performers and elaborate three wheel flower delivery machines. A near complete set, many versions and different scales of Hubleyʼs Say It With Flowers toys are on view. Hubley, Marklin, Matchbox, Arnold, Techno-fix, Fischer, Marx, Hot Wheels, fine older German, French, Japanese and American toys along with toys relevant to baby boomers and their children; Rat Fink chopper variants by Ed Roth. And, though maybe not really toys, thereʼs a grouping of the finest die-cast from makers like Franklin Mint and Harley-Davidson.
Toy-Story-Third
Youʼll be amazed by the original and restored pedal cars which range from boats to airplanes with great examples of cars and motorcycles making a strong showing. The National Motorcycle Museum website is www.nationalmcmusem.org and offers location and lodging information, or call 319 462 3925 for details. Currently the website is focused on the “real” motorcycles in the collection, but these photos should give you an idea of whatʼs there in collectible toys. Itʼs well worth a trip to this museum in east central Iowa which is about three hours west of Chicago and is open daily year around.

14 replies
  1. Firework Displays
    Firework Displays says:

    I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog.
    I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now 😉

    Reply
  2. HID Lights
    HID Lights says:

    Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot.
    I was looking for this particular info for
    a long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Reply
  3. Koshka Coupon Code
    Koshka Coupon Code says:

    Very good blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any
    community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  4. example
    example says:

    Thanks for some other excellent post. The place
    else may just anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal manner of writing?
    I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such info.

    Reply
  5. Freelance Script
    Freelance Script says:

    An interesting discussion will probably be worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you simply write more about this topic, may well be described as a taboo subject but normally folks are inadequate to communicate on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *