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Page 2 The Antique Shoppe September, 2017
Mr. Potato Head Mr. Potato Head married and Mrs. Potato Head came into production,
Continued from Page 1 along with accessories that reflected the economic
potatoes or any other food item—everyone rich 1950s, such as a car and a boat trailer. Soon
after, Hasbro introduced Pete the Pepper, Oscar
remembered the long rationing lines of the war and the Orange, Katie the Carrot, and Cooky the
thought wasting food was a sin. Finally, Lerner Cucumber with attachable face parts. These four
convinced a food company to distribute Mr. Potato Heads are popular with today’s collectors.
Head plastic parts as free cereal premiums. Soon Mr. Potato Head has championed many causes
after, Hasbro (Pawtucket, RI) bought the rights, during his formative years, such as the American
and Mr. Potato Head kits first sold in 1952 for 98¢.
The kit consisted of almost 30 pieces of body Cancer Society, and he has appeared on television
parts--a Styrofoam head, a body, hands, feet, and in movies. And he is one of the most popular
ears, two mouths, two pairs of eyes, four noses, floats in the St. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
In an attempt to keep Mr. Potato Head fresh
three hats, eyeglasses, a pipe, and 8 felt pieces and popular with children, Hasbro has produced
resembling facial hair. The kit advertised that a kid
could use any fruit or vegetable to make a funny- several Potato Head sets based on movie
faced, anthropomorphic franchises, such as Star Wars themed taters,
playmate, including a including “Darth Tater,” R2-Potatoo,” “Yam Solo,”
real potato; although, ABOVE: 1952 original Hasbro Mr. Potato Head “Luke Frywalker,” “Princess
due to government safety in original box. May not be complete but it Tater,” and “Spud Trooper.”
regulations, a plastic is all original; $82. LEFT: 1950s Mr. and Mrs. There is a pair of Spider-Man
potato was added to the Potato Head “Deluxe Car and Trailer” set. Let themed taters too—“Spider-
kit in 1964. your Taters ride in style in this vintage set for Spud” and “Peter Tater.” A
On April 30, 1952, Mr. just $250. BELOW: Original Mr. Potato Head big tater hit proved to be an
#2000 set, which sold in 1952 for 98¢.
Potato Head became the Indiana Jones-themed “Taters
first toy ever advertised of the Lost Ark.” This set was
on television, making released in 2008 when Indiana Jones
it historically and and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was
socially important. This released. And, in 2002, Hasbro released
advertizing campaign a Mr. Potato Head bobblehead doll,
also was the first aimed which, while not movie related, proved an
directly at children. Prior to Mr. Potato Head’s 1952 commercial, overnight hit with children and collectors
all toy advertising was aimed at parents. Children quite literally alike.
went “bonkers” for the new toy and advertising was changed Continued >
forever.
NORTH PORT Vintage Finder’s
Warehouse “llc”
VFW Dean & Diane Castellano
75
1075 Innovation Avenue
Unit 106
75 North Port, FL 34289
“Florida’s Best Newspaper for Antiques & Collectibles” 941-228-8112
941-228-7804
Priced to Sell
& Dealer Friendly
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Dixie Belle Paint
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For information call, write or e-mail:
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Antique & MilitAry MAll
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Naples, FL 34109
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