This tremendously informative book is the most complete source for collectible plastic toys. Over 850 vivid color photographs display plastic toys-from cars, trucks, and airplanes to dolls and dollhouse furniture-supplemented by manufacturers' diagrams and molders' marks. Industry development from the 1930s through the 1960s is discussed, with attention to wartime changes in plastic toys production. With charm and light touch, Bill Hanlon explains technical facts of the plastics industry and provides down-to-earth, useful information on how to evaluate, repair, and care for your collection. For the detail-hungry collector, there is an extensive price guide and a chapter on researching and identifying individual pieces. Hanlon also presents significant information that has only recently come to light, providing a means of identifying toys whose origins until now were a complete mystery.[AuthorName]Bill Hanlon[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Bill Hanlon is a designer of modern toys and a toy collector with more than 20 ears experience reveling in the dimestore world. He lives in Castro Valley, California. Photographer David Belda specializes in custom projects at his studio in Oakland, California.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]850 color photos[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle]Dimestore Dreams of the '40s and '50s[/SubTitle][ColorPattern]850 color photos[/ColorPattern]