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And lastly, my favorite method of detection: the smell test. Alright,
Gathering Clues
So how does one tell the difference between a repro box and an hear me out. This one is far from foolproof. But taken together with
original? There are a few good ways to go about it. First, the most other clues, this can help in determining originality. Open up the box
obvious: look for signs of “new-ness.” Extra “flashing” (ragged trim) of and sniff the inside. Does it have a musty odor? If so, that may indicate
the cardboard around the edges, or card stock that just looks too perfect it’s spent the last 50 or 60, or 80 years closed up. Try smelling old toy
and new, usually are signs the box is a recent boxes (ignore the funny looks other people
re-creation. On the other hand, sloppy will give you) and likely as not, you’ll start
cutting and folding also may mean you have to develop a nose for original cardboard.
a repro. “On the slot car repro boxes I’ve Just like with toys themselves, it’s best to
bought,” says Marc Star, “even as good as handle and examine as many original toy
they are, you can usually tell they’re repro boxes as you can. You’ll learn about color
because the die-cut isn’t precise and the and artwork, as well as about typefaces and
folding isn’t quite as good as something that whether text on boxes is sharp or fuzzy,
would be mass-produced.” whether it’s thin or thick.
Another way is to check the end flaps on And as with toys, condition is key with
boxes that have them. A lack of wear marks original boxes. We’ve all come across boxes
on the flap edges, where on an original box that are in such bad shape that they’re more
fingers have pulled and pried for 60 or 70 holes than box. The better the condition, of
years, often is a giveaway. Even an original course, the higher the price, but the hunt for
box that has been carefully cared for usually the good stuff is a big part of why we do all
has smudge or damage evidence of some of this, isn’t it?
kind in these areas. And on a box that shows
wear, run your fingers over the damage…if The display box for Knickerbocker’s mid-1950s Douglas R. Kelly is the editor of Marine
you can’t actually feel the scrape or the ding “detective special” cap gun appealed to kids who enjoyed the Technology magazine. His byline has
or the tear—meaning those areas are hugely popular Dragnet TV (and radio) shows. appeared in Antiques Roadshow Insider,
smooth—you’re likely holding a repro that Back Issue, Diecast Collector, and Buildings
was created without “cleaning up” the magazines.
damage that was on the original. Title Image: A mixed bag: of the toy car
For many years—from the 1920s through the 1960s—most toy boxes, the Cortina (Hong Kong plastic)
boxes were made by printing the artwork, text, and so forth directly on and the Matchbox are original, while the
the box. A box that has printing on paper stock that is then glued to the Dinky Riley and Prameta Buick (German
heavier card stock stands a good chance of being a repro. This is not set in die cast) boxes are repros. The Robby box
stone, though, as some lift-off lid boxes (many Dinky Toys of the 1940s came with a wonderful plastic wind-up
and 1950s, for example) featured printed paper adhered to the box. robot in 1984, and the Atomic Robot box
is a repro made 15 to 20 years ago.
Continued from page 23

in 1988, this time by JA-RU. But Alfred slipped into a
coma in 1989, and the company was sold out of the
family to a young entrepreneur and filmmaker named
Jeffrey Montgomery. The acquisition cost an estimated
$6 million, but that price tag apparently didn’t frighten
investors, nor did Montgomery’s relatively tender age of
just 25. The renamed Harvey Comics Entertainment
would publish reprint material until 1993, then ceased
printing again, instead focusing on movies and cartoons.
Richie Rich got a live-action movie in 1994, and a new
cartoon series produced by Film Roman in 1996, but
no merchandise was produced in conjunction with
these. Casper got a live-action movie in 1995, with
strong merchandise support.
1998 and 1999 saw dolls produced by Good Stuff
for different holidays. A Hot Stuff doll was made for
Richie Rich rabbit costume doll Richie Rich Travel Set, Richie Rich Old Timer Car,
for Easter, Toy Network 2007 JA-RU 1988 Rolls Royce variant, Larami Corp. 1981 Halloween 1998, and a Richie Rich doll for Christmas
of that year. Richie got Valentine’s Day, Halloween,
RICHIE RICH and Christmas in 1999, with Wendy also getting a Christmas doll.
In 2001, the Harvey characters (other than Sad Sack and Black Cat,
First appearing in 1953 as a backup story in Little Dot # 1, Richie the rights to which are owned by Alan Harvey) were sold to Classic
Rich became popular enough to get his own comic book in 1960. Media. Classic Media was, in turn, bought by Dreamworks. NBC
His popularity continued to grow, and more titles were added featuring Universal then bought Dreamworks and currently owns the rights. The
the “Poor Little Rich Boy.” By 1974, Rich started appearing on last use of Harvey characters I know of on toys, with dolls produced by
merchandise as well. A May 1975 Harvey comic book contains an Kellytoy and Toy Network, dates to 2007. Artists and clothing labels
advertisement for “Great Harvey Gifts” including plastic belts, and continue using the Harvey characters; however, what the future holds
cartoon character charms featuring Harvey characters Casper, Richie in store for our cartoon friends remains to be seen.
Rich, Wendy, Sad Sack, Hot Stuff, and Baby Huey. Pressman made the
Richie Rich Big Money Game in 1978, but Richie’s big break came at Jonathan Sternfeld is a lifelong collector, hobbyist,
the end of 1980. ABC began airing a Richie Rich cartoon produced by and polymath. He funds his various follies by working
Hanna-Barbera Productions, creating a whole new fan base. A great as an applications developer in New York’s Capital
deal of Richie Rich merchandise was produced in 1981, including a Region, where he lives with his long-suffering wife and
series of rack toys produced by Larami. pet cat. He is the founder and curator of the Harvey
Then, in 1982, Alfred Harvey retired, and Harvey Comics ceased Mercheum, the Harvey Comics Merchandise Virtual
publication. Alfred’s oldest son, Alan, fired up the printing presses Museum website: www.harveymercheum.com
again in 1986, and another line of Richie Rich rack toys was produced
Richie Rich Merry Christmas doll, Good Stuff 1998
26 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles