Dan's Papers - October 13, 2006 - When In Manhattan by Oliver Peterson

I've been an avid toy collector since I was a kid. First it was Fisher Price and Playmobil, then He-Man and GI-Joe, and today it's a lot of things. Super heroes are high on my list, but really, whatever looks cool to me might end up displayed on my desk. In time I'll find a new little plastic fetish and the old will be banished to one of many plastic storage bins. Let me tell you, my wife simply adores my hobby. It costs money, takes up valuable space, and says volumes about my maturity level. On the bright side, I'm pretty keyed into the whole toy collecting market and when it comes to eBay, I'm a pro. For example, I recently picked up a pile of action figures from a local shop-that will remain anonymous to protect my interests-one for me, one to sell. So, for $9.99 each I bought a pair of the same figure. I kept one for myself and sold the other on eBay for $86. Minus shipping, that's a profit of $66.01. Believe it or not, there are a lot of grown men doing exactly what I do, and certain figures are just that hard to find. I have a Tupac Shakur figure that was discontinued due to lawsuits and I've seen one sell for hundreds. At best, I can figure that my collection could sell for well into the thousands; I've got enough to open my own shop. Unfortunately, that would be a disaster out here, but in Manhattan there's a definite market.

A few New York toyshops in particular have withstood the test of time. I'm not talking Toys-R-Us or FAO Schwarz. No, I want to introduce you to specialized spots for freak collectors like me (and maybe you). The difference between your average chain store and what I'm talking about is quite defined. The specialized shops find the rare stuff and mark it up, stock the regular lines adult collectors buy, and some focus on imported Japanese and limited-edition artist/designer stuff that is really more like art. Hip, urban graffiti artists, who are now part of broader art circles, are releasing their own, usually vinyl, toys. Starting prices for these are often $100-$400, but they usually skyrocket in value over the months following their selling out.

Love Saves the Day, on 2nd Avenue between St. Marks and 7th, is probably the longest running, downtown vintage toyshop. Madonna bought her leather jacket there in the beginning of the 80's classic, Desperately Seeking Susan. They're known for having a mishmash of action figures spanning several decades. Here you'll find vintage GI-Joe and Star Wars figurines, WWF wrestlers, and celebrity likeness dolls like O.J. Simpson, Elvis, and Michael Jackson. Who wouldn't want to set O.J. and Jacko up for a tea party? The results would be tremendous. So there's that. But basically right upstairs is a store much more connected to the latest in toy trends. ToyTokyo carries all that vintage stuff, plus a whole lot more. It's here you will find some of the more rare Japanese and designer toys. Look for KAWS vinyl "Companions." KAWS is an American graffiti artist who has appropriated images like Mickey Mouse and the Michelin Man and made them his own in a series of statues. Each is created in a limited number and the prices will make you gag until you truly understand the nature of the beast. Like the Jeff Koons Puppy vase or his newest Balloon Dog edition, they are legitimate works of art in large, yet limited editions. KAWS has become something of a sensation in Japan, and I would recommend looking for pieces from his Original Fake store in that country. His newest "Dissected" Companion, (which I bought, and is his best in my opinion) really connects KAWS to the broader art world by using his Mickey Mouse character appropriation and combining it with Damien Hirst's "Virgin Mother," a sculpture of a half-dissected pregnant woman erected in the Lever House courtyard on 53rd and Park. For more designer toys, see Kidrobot on 126 Prince Street. Expect long lines for the newest hot releases. It's a whole new world of art. Once you jump in, you'll be amazed how deep this rabbit hole goes, and Manhattan is the place to do it.