If you were a kid in the 1950s or 1960s, chances are you owned at least one of the spectacular playsets produced by the Louis Marx Co. With colorfully lithographed metal forts, castles or barns populated by intricately detailed plastic figures, the Marx playsets were more than simple toys--they were a whole world of entertainment. Even if you were born after Marx stopped manufacturing playsets in the mid-1970s, it’s hard not to become enthralled by the elaborate sets once you’ve seen them. And although some of the rarer sets in mint condition now sell for thousands of dollars, it’s still possible to collect Marx playsets, or individual figures and accessories on a budget.
Instructions
1. Find out exactly what the field offers. For that, the best source is "Playset Magazine." Once you’re a real enthusiast, you’ll want to subscribe to the magazine itself with its in depth articles and scores of color photographs. But while you’re in the novice phase, a visit to the magazine’s website should get you started (see Resources below).
2. Decide what to collect. Let your interests guide you. If you’re a history buff you might want to look for the Fort Dearborn, Revolutionary War or The Blue and the Gray playsets. If you’re a pop culture maven, there’s the official Walt Disney Davy Crockett at the Alamo or Fort Apache containing character figures from the TV show “The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin." Two more TV tie-ins are among the most highly prized of Marx playsets: “Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion,” based on the TV series starring Buster Crabbe, and “The Untouchables,” which contains not only two lithographed metal street fronts, but also a metal warehouse, metal cars and an overwhelming array of accessories, ranging from crates and barrels to a tiny machine gun that fits in a violin case.
3. Check eBay. On any given day a search for “Marx Playsets” will give you hundreds of hits, ranging from mint sets in their original boxes (the most expensive) to individual soldiers, horses, trees, cannon or other pieces. To hone down your search, be more specific. If you have plenty of money, you can make things simple and just buy the complete set. But it can be more economical, and more fun, to piece sets together--buying the figures singly or by the bagful, finding castle walls or Zorro hacienda by itself. Often, you can even find empty boxes for sale. They can be quite costly, but it’s a good starting place.
4. Do the legwork. eBay is productive and fast but if you want a little more fun and adventure in your quest, do it the old-fashioned way: stop at yard sales and estate sales, attend auctions and go through antique shops. It’s a good idea to let local antique shop owners what you’re looking for, so you’ll be the first one they call if they run across a playset. The Internet has leveled the playing field with prices but there are still bargains to be found.
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