Sunday, January 30, 2011

playing around with vintage toys

it seemed that everywhere i turned at the flea market, there were lovely old toys. and no, i didn't buy any, i only photographed them. and i only got yelled at about it once, by an extremely thick and repulsive angry old man. such a jerk. but i got so many great pictures (including the 3rd to last one of HIS little cars), that not even that encounter could spoil the day.

playing knights(?) and indians
wait, isn't that a civil war soldier?
battle in full head dress
is he doing a ceremonial dance in the midst of the battle?
and the birds apparently looked on.
adored these little trucks.
here are the overpriced old cars belonging to the nasty old man who didn't like my camera.
such a charming little truck.
a bit blurry, but i still had to share these sweet little bikes.
it's funny, i adore seeing the old toys, especially painted metal ones, in the antique places, but i've never begun to collect them. i guess i only collect photos and enjoy imagining all of the little hands and little imaginations that have touched them over the years. such memories they hold.

6 comments:

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

These are great shots! Love the old trucks too..and the turkey and goose!... probably better that you don't actually collect - I've been trying to de-clutter my "stuff" for a while and refrain from picking up too much stuff I don't really need.

et lille oejeblik - a little moment said...

love your photos, but would think collecting old toys could have some serious house-clutter potential. personally it wouldn't work, anyway, with three little boys any collector's items would just drown in the just as colorful toy clutter all over the house.

oh, and those prices... i'm like. i shock! is that in kroner? wow...

Numinosity said...

What fun shots! I got yelled at in Latvia for trying to take a photo of a pomegranate at a market.
"No photo of pomegranate, only buy!" I walked away just a bit miffed.

xoxo Kim

Unknown said...

This made me think of "The Velveteen Rabbit" or Hans Christian Andersen's "The Brave Tin Soldier". How cool : )

And that guy was a pointless grouch ... I'm so glad you were able to get a pic of his stuff ;)

Barb said...

I have some of the old army toys my father played with as a child. They are painted metal soldiers and there are great little tanks and metal fences. I'll have to get them out, set them up, and send you a picture. :)
Have a great day.

John Purlia said...

I was once yelled at for taking pictures of dozens of manikin hands through the window outside a nail shop. I guess the owner thought I was going to steal her tacky designs. I just thought it would make for a good picture.

As for toys, I keep most of mine in a series of shelves in my studio, standing ready for use in my fine art photos (which use toys, books, records, and other vintage things). Sometimes I'll take shots of them sitting on the shelf, waiting, but mostly I wait until they decide to come into one of my narrative scenes.