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Vintage Collectible Condition Rating System - Toys, LEGO, Electronics, Books

All collectors, whether their interests lean toward LEGO sets, books, electronics, vintage toys, model trains, or other areas, have one thing in common: They care about the relative condition of items they are hoping to acquire.

That being the case, how can we as collectors go about determining the relative condition of an offering? Who is to say an item is new?

What is needed is a basis of comparison, a reference regarding what flaws or lack thereof can be expected as the norm for a given condition rating.

Once this is established, we then will have a language to express our opinion of the condition of a piece, a language that can be universally understood. For example, when we describe an item as "Used, Very Good" condition, this must mean something to the other party.....

Continue reading Comments (2) Friday, 12:01 pm | June 12th, 2009

ToysPeriod Sponsors LEGO Design Scholarships

ToysPeriod has pledged a program of scholarships to Linda Christas College, a premier online academy and college.

The competition involves designing and documenting a prototype of an unique high-tech gadget, consumer electronics or useful robotic creation utilizing LEGO components in whole or in part.

ToysPeriod is sponsoring winners for a $1000/year academic scholarship applicable towards a Linda Christas College Bachelor's Degree.

This project is ideal for next generation industrial designers and engineers.

The reason for the program, over and above creating opportunity for young people, is to brainstorm original ideas for commercial products that ToysPeriod might then be able to manufacture and distribute.....

Continue reading Comments (2) Sunday, 9:30 pm | June 7th, 2009

Learning with LEGO - Part One: Early Childhood

As all LEGO enthusiasts are aware, The LEGO Group has, since 1932, made a conscious effort to provide learning tools that take advantage of our natural desire to play, to have fun with life, to be happy.

However, some of the LEGO faithful, even those like myself in the teaching profession, are not aware of the true genius that has gone into LEGO releases targeted for various age groups.

In this series of articles, it is my intention to analyze LEGO from the perspective of a credentialed teacher, addressing each age group, from infancy through age four or five, and then on to elementary, adolescent, young adult, and finally, the mature adult years, at each stop taking the time to demonstrate known applications of LEGO as a learning tool, as well as suggest educational opportunities that may heretofore have been under-appreciated.

Infancy: Ages - Birth to Four/Five Years

As teachers know, toddlers have a need to make sense of the world. They must learn about the feelings they have, and how to use those feelings to create constructive experiences. Free form play has been shown in several studies to be most effective in bringing young minds to places where they have confidence in their ability to test and express their own ideas.....

Continue reading Comments (2) Wednesday, 6:15 pm | June 3rd, 2009