By Scott C. Stewart
August 2006 · www.toyshopmag.com (no longer active)· 81
Best of the West
Famous Marx Line Gets Better With Time
My passion for Best of the West toys started on March 6, 1965.
It was my 7th birthday, and Dad decided to take me to a local
store in Canon City, Colo., to buy my birthday present.
Now keep in mind that Dad was recently medically retired
from the Army at Fort Carson, Colo. We were just scraping by
because of the usual government mix-ups that happen from
time to time. But Dad thought it important that we celebrate this
great day. So off to the toy store (I think it was Woolworth's) we
went.
I can still remember the ride into town from the Army base.
I was thrilled! We pulled into the parking space, and I jumped
out, impatiently waiting for Dad. He came up and took my hand
and said that I could have one present as long as it wasn't too
expensive. In my mind, I think that meant about a $5 limit.
We walked into the store, and I can remember going to the
toy aisle under the bright lights and seeing a display for the
Daniel Boone figure. I was hooked! I browsed the shelves a little,
but I remember that I kept glancing at the display at the end of
the aisle.
Dad obviously saw my interest and walked over to the boxes
to check them out. He lifted one of the boxes and looked at
it (probably checking the price, too). He looked down at me,
smiled and said, "Do you want this?" I about lost it. As they say,
the rest is history.
The Evolution of a Collection
Over the next few years, I probably received seven or eight
more figures for Christmas and birthdays. My last present from
Mom and Dad was in 1968 or '69 when I got the Gold and Silver
Fighting Knight sets for Christmas.
I played with these guys for hours on end. I remember
setting up opposing sides in the living room with these
figures and some G.I. Joes my brother and I had. Then I'd have
gunfights, Indian attacks and Cavalry rescues. There probably
wasn't a day in those years that I didn't enjoy the company of
these great toys.
Unfortunately, I grew older and figured that "dolls" weren't
a teenage thing to play with. Sad to say, my collection was lost
to time and the misadventures of adolescence. I still have a few
accessories that somehow survived the next 40 years, and those
are what really started my current collection.
I found my original Daniel Boone flintlock rifle, and thought,
"I wonder if I could ever find this toy again?"
That was shortly before eBay took hold. I was already on
some Internet newsgroups that held auctions within the group.
I had started to get the collecting bug by buying some vintage
G.I. Joes. When eBay hit the mainstream, I was one of the first to
sign up. I've been somewhat of an addict ever since.
My first Marx purchase in adulthood was a loose Daniel
Boone, and once again the magic that is Marx snared me.
I started my obsession by going after the figures I had as a
child. Daniel was the first, and I quickly re-acquired all of my
childhood friends.
Today, I have more than 250 figures, 50 horses, wagons,
jeeps, play sets and other bits. Most of my figures are boxed, and
I'm always trying to upgrade my collection. Online auctions are
my best source, but I still go to live auctions and the occasional
toy show. Although eBay is great for getting good deals, there's
nothing like actually holding and examining the rare piece
before buying it.
Rare Air
Since I now have the majority of the Marx figures and boxes
from the Johnny West decade (1965-75), my collecting habits
have turned to finding those very rare or one-of-a-kind pieces I
was lacking.
I picked up my first Jeb Gibson at the annual Marx Toy
Convention held at the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum
Wheeling, W.Va. Jeb is now proudly displayed alongside a
custom box made by a fellow collector. Some of the other
interesting pieces I have include the Cowboy Black from Spain,
the Red and Purple knight test shots
from the new Marx company and a wide
assortment of odd-colored accessories.
It never ceases to amaze me how
many different Johnny West-type figures
were made in a relatively short time.
After almost 10 years of scouring eBay,
yard sales, auctions and friends' attics, I
still come across a figure or box and say,
"I didn't know Marx did this!" In fact, that
just happened, as I was able to purchase
a very nice boxed Best of the West series
Johnny and Thunderbolt set that I never
knew existed.
Custom Figures
Customizing is another huge
facet of Johnny West collecting. Many
collectors, like myself, make custom
items such as heads and hats to sell or
trade with other collectors. In fact, I'm
known as "Stetson" on one of the two
Johnny West collecting newsgroups
(JohnnyWestviaKirbyLand on the Yahoo!
Groups site). I'm also a proud member of
the Circle X Ranch newsgroup.
These newsgroups are great
resources and are just packed with some
of the most friendly and talented people
you'll ever meet. These cyber-groups
spill over into the real world for many of
us, and I've met several of the collectors
face to face at events like the informal
JohnnyCons.
Being a bit of a geek, I love learning
little-known tidbits about the Marx
company and the Johnny West series.
Friends at the Official Marx Toy
Museum, MarxFiles.com and authors
such as Tom Heaton (The Encyclopedia of
Marx Action Figures) share this drive to
know more about our hobby.
Marx Reference Site
That is the primary reason I started
my Web site - Stewart's Best of the West
(www.stewartsattic.com/marx).
My Web site is full of great
information, from up-to-the-minute
price guides and detailed information on
figures and accessories to guest articles
and almost daily site updates. I've tried
to openly share what I learn.
And if you're looking for that elusive
figure or accessory, or you want a new
hat, you can always visit my general store
to browse the items I have for sale.
It was great growing up as a Johnny
West kid, and it's just as much fun today!
Scott C. Stewart is a freelance writer
from Gaithersburg, Md. To check out his
Best of the West Web site, visit
www.stewartsattic.com/marx.
