plastic - Anything In Particular

1980s Fisher-Price Brown Battery Powered Cassette Player and Recorder Model 826

Jon Nix — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 11:27:39 +0000

Immediately recognisable to those of us of a certain age, this is a Fisher-Price portable cassette player and recorder, more boringly known as the Model 826. It's a battery-powered slice of two-tone brown plastic which dates from the 1980s (copyright 1980). It's a simple affair but that was part of its appeal and also why they became so popular to youngsters. It's a one-touch recorder via microphone or input and a player through its rather limited speaker. But what would you expect.

This one is in good cosmetic condition and seems to work correctly - it does require a good quality set of batteries, however. There are no chips or cracks to the plastics and all of the buttons are responsive and work as they should. Don't expect jaw-dropping audio, but do expect to be charmed by this relic of a particular time when this was indeed the thing to have...

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Black and Silver Astral Telecom “Fab” Push Button Desktop Telephone

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 23:27:37 +0000

A little bit glam and a whole lot of plastic, this is the Astral "Fab phone" which is push button telephone dating from the late 1980s and featuring last number re-dial, an electronic ringer and a shape which is all of its own. It's a combination of rounded body and angular handset with the former in a glossy black finish and the latter in a mirrored silver finish, chrome-like in appearance.

In good condition with some superficial signs of use this is an unusual telephone from a time when such items were as much decorative as functional, and certainly said something about the person and the household.

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Vintage 1950s Novelty Alka-Seltzer Powered Miniature Toy Boats

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 22:32:41 +0000

A novelty item (well, items) from the 1950s which would probably have been a pocket-money toy, possibly even bought from a vending machine, these are a pair of alka-seltzer powered miniature toy boats. There's not much more to be said about them really, except that presumably they still work as per the instructions provided.

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Philips HR 5284 Small Electric Alarm Clock Made in West Germany

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:50:11 +0000

A rare electic alarm clock with analogue display delivered in a glossy black body with full front bezel. This is a model Hr 5284 made by Philips in West Germany, which was available in red/orange and grey/black colours schemes. It's a small unit, measuring just 12cm across the front, with a height of 7cm and a depth of 6cm, with the only departure from the smooth lines and surfaces being the alarm control button on the top of the body. The seconds hand is of the silent sweep variety and the face has fluorescent indicators. Time and alarm time setting is achieved via the adjuster at the rear of the body, which performs both roles with a push/pull mechanism. Please note, the alarm is a "buzzer" style and is relatively subdued. A service might improve this (i.e. make it louder), of course.

In good working condition with just a few minor surface blemishes/grazes to be expected of an item of this age and use.

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1970s Orange and White Circular Plastic Desk Tidy / Pen Holder

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:50:30 +0000

Who doesn't like a desk tidy? We certainly like them, and this one is a nice example of the sort, made in Hong Kong and dating from the 1970s. It's a circular plastic tidy which has a diameter of about 13cm and a height of 5.5cm, with four compartments in the body which pull out on single hinges, four tray sections on top, and a central pen holder. Typically orange and white colours (though the white is somewhat cream now), this makes a pleasing addition to a desktop. Please note, pens, pencils, rubber bands, etc., pictured are not included.

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Cute Vintage 1962 Fisher-Price Small Plastic Barn Child’s Lunchbox

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:08:15 +0000

A lot of cute in a small volume, this is a 1962 Fisher-Price child's lunchbox / sandwich box in the shape of a barn. A mostly plastic affair - aside from the metal retaining section in the lid, which would originally have held a tiny flask in place - it is illustrated with charming farm-themed designs on paper. It's just very very charming and small - measuring only 13cm long, 6cm wide and 11cm in height. It's in good condition structurally with no chips, cracks or losses to the plastic, whilst the paper shows signs of both age and use. Does that add to its appeal? We think so...

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1970s TAT T-21 Flip-Over Moonbase Central Space Buggy Rover Toy

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 10:37:44 +0000

Back when the world was more than a little bit "space mad" this was the kind of toy made available to the masses. Made by TAT in Hong Kong, it was sold as the Moonbase Central Flip-Over Car, and is a moon rover or space buggy powered by batteries which does indeed climb and roll-over when it meets an obstacle, so it can continue its journey. The chunky rubber tyres mean it will grip to an almost vertical surface before the metal bar on top provides the flipping action to send the car on its way again.

It measures approximately 18cm in length and is in working condition. It's missing a sticker which should read "T-21" on the front of the car and there are some losses to the plastics of the antenna / dish on top but otherwise it's in pretty good shape considering it's rough and tumble life.

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Vintage White Maclamp No. 8 Desk Lamp designed by Terence Conran

Jon Nix — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:45:53 +0000

An iconic design and a highly sought after lamp because of its versatility and good looks in almost any situation, this is the No. 8 Maclamp designed by Terence Conran. Initially conceived as a wood and metal structure, this later model - dating from the 1960s to the 1970s - features plastic arms with integrated cable guides, a plastic covered cast base and metal shade, but the fundamental design is the same. And it just looks good.

This one is in good overall condition. There are some signs of age and use throughout and some surface losses around the rim of the shade and a small dent to it. The base was not in very good condition and has been sanded and re-sprayed with white enamel and given a gloss finish. It's not perfect when closely inspected, but the repair has given back the lamp its good looks, as the original base was distractingly worse for wear.

The lamp is full working order and has an inline switch on the cable and a UK three-pin plug. As always, buyers are advised to perform a safety check of electrical equipment in the environment within which it is to be used.

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Vintage 1980 Toshiba CR-3000 Stereo Digital Clock Radio

Jon Nix — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:21:06 +0000

Looking rather like a black plastic "Toblerone" packet, this is the Toshiba CR-3000 Stereo Digital Clock Radio, which dates from 1980. No surprises there - the glossy black finish, minimalism, and angular shapes are typical of that cross-over from space-age design to the 1980s. In many respects it's a fairly standard electronic clock radio, aside from the design, but there are some interesting features which set it apart too. First of all, that long design means that the stereo speakers do indeed have some spread to them and, what's more, two inputs on the left-hand side of the unit allows for further speakers to be added to enhance the sound. All of the controls are very neatly located on the top edge of the unit in a slightly recessed groover or are to the rear on the sloping surface, which means the front it gloriously uncluttered - just the two speakers and the clock and tuner displays. If you're a fan of sleek and stylish design then it ticks all the boxes.

This unit is in very good condition overall. There are, as to be expected, signs of use - notably some marks to the rear and superficial scratches to the high-gloss front, but otherwise the plastics are in very good condition, no chips or cracks. As a bonus, the original box and instructions are present, albeit the former has more obvious signs of age and wear.

The unit measures approximately 42cm long with a height of 5cm and a depth of 6cm (16.5 in., 2 in. and 2½ in. respectively).

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1980s Tomy Tomytime Chunky Changers Triangle / Train No. 1055

Jon Nix — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:20:39 +0000

The Tomy ("Tomytime") Chunky Changers were a range of plastic toys aimed at the younger child which were characterised by their colourful simple shapes which were capable of being transformed into various other figures or objects. Amongst the range were vehicles and animals, and this one is of the former variety. This Chunky Changer transforms from a multi-coloured triangle into a high-speed style train, complete with overhead electric section and coupling.

The un-transformed Chunky Changer measures approximately 7.5cm by 3.5cm by 6cm (3 in. by 1¼in. by 2¼in.). It's in good condition, considering, with some minor surface wear and tear and some ageing to the original white colours.

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