Search results for ""Author James Dundas""

This new book is everything the toy gun collector could ever wish for, with over 600 full-color photographs of cap guns and gun accessories and a current value guide! Cap guns have been mass-produced since the post-Civil War era, made of wood, lead and iron. Designs were unusual; some guns pictured in this book even had two-and three-dimensional figures, or were animated with moving figures! In the 20th century toy guns became realistic models, of cast iron, wood, composition, and plastic. Since 1950, most toy cap guns continue to be made of plastic or die-cast material. Cap guns from the Baby Boomer era of 1940-1965 are currently the most popular with collectors. Guns shown in this book reveal the public fascination with cowboys and westerns, from Roy Rogers and Gene Autry to Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger. The glamorous guns of this period featured character names, shiny finishes, fancy plastic grips, and holster sets with sparkling stones and studs. Interest in toy guns has grown tremendously in the past few years. Demand far exceeds what is currently available for purchase as cap guns become one of the hottest collectibles among antique toy enthusiasts.

Read more less

Whistles: every child's favorite noise-maker, every police officer's most trusted alarm, every girl or boy scout's most treasured souvenir. With almost 500 full-color photographs, this cheerful new book catalogs whistles from the past century, from the simple wooden penny whistle to novelty whistles with built-in compasses, 15-jewel watches, and mink fur decoration. There are many examples of tin whistles decorated with lithographs, plastic whistles made of celluloid, vinyl, and other compounds, and even a reproduction of a clay whistle made in the 1400s! While whistles could be as frivolous as the water-filled `warbling bird' variety, sliding whistles, and kiddie whistles with 1950s TV cowboy logos, there are many more serious whistles shown as well, including a Kentucky coal mine whistle(used to check for toxic gases), a New York City taxi-cab whistle, and a plastic version of traditional African "nose-flute" used in mating rituals. This book covers them all, with discussion of when and how they were made, instructions for taking care of them, and a current price guide.

Read more less