Friday, November 19, 2010

a trip back in time

Want to take a trip back in time?

Thalhimer's Wishbook, 1960












My cousin gave me this gem last year. Isn't it amazing? I was flipping through it the other day and left it out on the kitchen table. Later I overheard Alfredo saying "I want this! I want this! I want that! I want this!"

I really wish they made toys like they did 50 years ago. Boy do I ever want a Coca-Cola machine ($3), a pink kitchen set (complete set $44.95), an owl clock ($3), and that one-man-band beat stick ($4)!

27 comments:

Hoosier at Heart said...

How neat! I want the owl clock!

Artfulife said...

They just don't make toys like they used to.

Mary said...

I see lots of toys that I had! Yes, I'm old and I was spoiled rotten, happily. I just wish I knew where they are now. Thanks for the memories!
Mary

Robin Sanchez said...

What a flashback!! I had the Coca~Cola machine......but then my grandpa worked for Coca~Cola. I had so much fun serving Coke in those little glasses to all the grownups.....and they played along so well. I forgot all about that memory till now.
Robin

Jeannie B. said...

I love the dolls. What a walk down memory lane. The catalog and remembering looking through the catalogs of toys and "wanting" it all!!

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Now that was a Blast from the Past ~ That Wonderful Complete PINK Kitchen set was under Our tree that Christmas ~ My Sisters & I had tons of fun....
I Love seeing things that trigger Old Memories~
Cheryl

Unknown said...

My sister and I had that pink kitchen set. And the metal dollhouse (I've seen it in antique stores around here). And one of those monkeys. And . . . yep, old here, too, I guess.

lynnk said...

...and that pogo stick!!
mine wasnt quite that old - but my sister and i jumped so much we wore out the rubber tip!!

blessings to you amy!!

Suz said...

Super-duper gem, Amy! Those are adorable toys. I can see why Alfredo wants them!
Hugs,
Suz

Unknown said...

Oh boy!!!! I would like that tri- level metal dollhouse!!!! I love these old catalogs, I paid $45.00 for one of the Sears that was from my childhood.....These toys are much better than the paltics and cardboard now! Thanks for this post!

CousinFest '09 said...

Is that Thalhimers the one that was Richmond VA? If so check for my crayon marks by the doll house..I have that one!

Jody said...

That is so wonderful! I always wish I could step back in time and get these types of toys too. I still have my Mrs. Beasley doll from Christmas 1974. Alfredo is a smart kid to want such greatness! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. I still think of your niece's family at times like this. It's a bittersweet, remembering and missing kind of time. Love to all your family.

Pretty Things said...

Oh I'd kill for that catalog! We had a Thalhimers downtown where I grew up!

And that metal dollhouse -- I had one like it and promptly cut my finger wide open on it and made my mom all KINDS of mad on Christmas day. Welcome to my family! :-)

Sharon Stanley said...

i live close to richmond and the thalhimers and miller and rhoads windows were one of the christmas highlights! i have so many thalhimers memories! not to mention i had the pink kitchen!!! love this...thanks!

Anonymous said...

ah that is soo awesome!!

Dawn said...

Hmmm....let's see...in 1960, I was eight years old. My favorite thing about the holidays was the wish book. I would look at it for hours on end and dream of all the things that would be so fun to receive.
Thanks for the memories, dear Amy.
xo

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

I'm pretty sure that's a Patty Play Pal...and i know we had that cardboard store! Thanks for the great memories! :)

Jenn N said...

I agree with both you and Alfredo; I want this, I want that, etc. What a great gem of a catalogue!

Rebecca said...

I can't believe it-I've got some of these toys-thank you so much for sharing this!

Sharon Stanley said...

here's a tru thalhimers story. xmas eve 1966 was snowy...very snowy here in central va and my mother was busy playing santa after my brother and i went to bed. as she placed the wished for "kissy" doll under the tree she realized, much to her dismay, that kissy did not kiss. she had little hope of anyone answering as she dialed thalhimers downtown store given the late hour and snowy weather, but the switchboard connected her to a very sympathetic dept. mgr who assured her that kissy would be delivered as soon as a CAB, yes CAB could be called. understand now, we lived a good 20 miles from downtown in the country, but sure enough, a couple hours later a cab, with a rather "spirit-filled" driver pulled up to the door delivering the doll just like santa himself. not only do you not get toys like these, but this kind of service is hard to get now as well....

very merry vintage style said...

I remember those catalogs coming to the house when I was young... circling all the things I wanted Santa to bring me. Thanks for bringing me those memories. I still would like that little pink kitchen set!

One Second Needle said...

What a great trip back in time. These toys are wonderful.

Rose Brier Studio said...

I so wanted one of those kitchens when I was a kid. Sadly, I really believed Santa knew what you wanted without telling anyone and I never got one! :-)

Thanks for sharing this, it's so fun!
~Marilee

Doojies said...

It really is true. There have never been any better toys than at that time...fun, beautiful, and imagination. Let's form a posse/uprising to get back to this!!!

Barbara said...

I'D LIKE ONE OF EVERYTHING...don't know where the heck i'd put it...but hmmm...who needs other furniture...we can just stand and admire it all...right? lol

Jean A. said...

I was 4 years old in 1960 and loved going to Thalhimers in downtown Richmond to see the store window decorated for Christmas.. sweet memories. Thanks, Amy!

Anonymous said...

I too remember the catalogs coming to our house, and how excited I would be when leafing through them, over and over. I remember wanting the Easybake Oven from the Sears wish book, and was so happy when Santa pulled through with it!