After the demise of the 5 and 10 cents stores the toys that were sold there became almost collectors’ items. Toy Soldiers, Figures and Vehicles, both metal and plastic, found their way into the secondary market.
Enhancing the interest and re-sale of these items were the specialist toy soldier events. The Chicago show eventually became #1, but with many regional shows joining in. Don Pielin, a pioneer Dimestore collector, ran the Chicago show, which grew from small beginnings to the largest event of its kind in the world.
Dale Pauwels, also a collector from the Chicago area, is thought to have coined the term “Dimestores”in relation to these toys. Don Pielin, along with several partners, came up with the idea of a specialist magazine for collectors (the Old Toy Soldier Newsletter (OTSN)) which later became the Old Toy Soldier Magazine (OTSM). The latter is now celebrating its 47th year. The combination of the exposure of “Dimestores” created a whole new hobby for collectors.
Meanwhile, on the east coast, Bill Lango initiated a show in New Jersey, near the home of the major Dimestore manufacturers Manoil and Barclay. As interest grew, and vast quantities of toy soldiers and other figures started to appear, thirst or knowledge was the next step. Richard O’Brien, Don Pielin, and Stan Alekna all produced reference books, with Don and Stan being regular contributors to OTSN and other old toy soldier journals and publications.
As the years have gone by, the hobby of Dimestores is still vibrant, but new finds are getting increasingly rare, we have seen it all – but maybe not!
Auction companies have been very helpful in turning up previously unknown figures, and items being consigned to various specialist auction companies still reveal many treasures. Such is the case with several recent (and hopefully future) auctions held by Philip Weiss in New York. The family of the Manoil owners (Jack and Maurice Manoil) have recently submitted many Dimestore prototypes for auction, which help to fill in several gaps in our knowledge of what was produced.
These are illustrated in the accompanying photos.
I would like to thank Philip Weiss and his staff for the help given in reproducing the following prototype examples. I am informed that future consignments are expected, and OTSM will bring news of these at a later date. For further details readers can contact Philip Weiss at Weiss Auctions.
74 Merrick Rd, Lynbrook, NY 11563, Telephone: (516) 594-0731.
