merit - Anything In Particular

Vintage Merit “Crazy Faces” creative toy (fruit and vegetables not supplied!)

Jon Nix — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 21:22:51 +0000

Whilst the vastly more well-known Mr Potato Head was basically a plastic body of a potato into which pieces were inserted, this Merit "Crazy Faces" toy takes a more literal approach - in the sense that actual fruit and vegetables are the intended recipients of the pieces. Helpfully, the box points out that the fruit and vegetables are "not supplied". Included in the set are feet, ears, eyes, hands, and various other pieces, including wig hair! It all looks like good, clean fun. Perhaps not clean, sorry parents! ;)

It's possibly not 100% complete - a couple of felt pieces are perhaps missing and might be re-creatable - but it is nonetheless a fun item and very usable "as is" if that is the intent.

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1980s Merit Magic Cube Desk Stationery Set

Jon Nix — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 21:16:41 +0000

It doesn't get much more "80s" than this...! A must-have for any self-respecting desktop in the decade that brought us the New Romantics, shoulder pads, lycra and leg warmers, t-shirt slogans, and the Memphis Style, this is the Merit Magic Cube. A cube of black plastic which contains a variety of colourful stationery items/tools cleverly integrated into the shape. Whether they were actually usable or practical is a debateable point, but the angular and colourful design now looks incredibly retro and is very appealing. The cube is complete in terms of the tools (tape dispenser, pen, clock, knife, scissors, tape measure, magnetic paper clip holder) but the pen and clock might need attention (new ink and battery respectively), and it comes with the original box. The eagle-eyed will note that a corner piece can be removed to set the cube at a jaunty angle, too!

Must-have? Probably not, but this is a super little item which represents an era almost perfectly... and there can't be very many of them still around in this condition.

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1980s Merit Magic Cube Desk Stationery Set

Jon Nix — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:04:31 +0000

It doesn't get much more "80s" than this...! A must-have for any self-respecting desktop in the decade that brought us the New Romantics, shoulder pads, lycra and leg warmers, t-shirt slogans, and the Memphis Style, this is the Merit Magic Cube. A cube of black plastic which contains a variety of colourful stationery items/tools cleverly integrated into the shape. Whether they were actually usable or practical is a debateable point, but the angular and colourful design now looks incredibly retro and is very appealing. The cube is complete in terms of the tools (tape dispenser, pen, clock, knife, scissors, tape measure, magnetic paper clip holder) but the pen and clock might need attention (new ink and battery respectively), and it comes with the original box and instructions. The eagle-eyed will note that a corner piece can be removed to set the cube at a jaunty angle, too!

Must-have? Probably not, but this is a super little item which represents an era almost perfectly... and there can't be very many of them still around in this condition.

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Vintage Merit Pick Up Sticks Game (1954)

Jon Nix — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 23:18:00 +0000

This vintage Merit game of Pick Up Sticks comes in a colourful cardboard tube and is dated 1954. As far as we can tell it's complete and the box is in great condition considering the age of the item. We think this would look particularly good in a "man-cave" or "games-room" or elsewhere as a fun curio or decorative item which is a good example of its time. But, of course, you could use it for its original purpose...!

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Merit Students Microscope

Jon Nix — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 22:22:28 +0000

A lovely little student microscope, presumed dating from the 1950s/60s in very characterful and original box and complete with glass slides. Made by J & L Randall Ltd., but doesn't include instruction manual.

Worth a closer look! ;)

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