This is something I have been thinking of getting started for a while now. I have pawned through the pages and pages of vintage vinyl topics, and one thing that seems omitted is a thread for markings for vintage companies (e.g. stamps, names, symbols, etc.). Considering that, aside from all the typical questions looking for prices, the vast majority of these posts seem focused on toy ID'ing, it seems this might be a good resource to help people out, particularly those new to the field. Full props to CT and its extensive coverage, but there is still a gap for other vintage manufacturers, like Popy, Nakajima, old Bandai, and other smaller lines. And I think aside from being used as an aid to ID toys (a starting place at least) it is really interesting to see if/how companies changed their branding on vinyl through the years. It is especially useful for Japanese toys, 'cause let's face it, they aren't all Bullmark, and we can't all read kanji/hiragana/katakana. So to get the ball rolling as an example of what I am thinking, here is a vintage Marusan stamp (then carried on into the Bullmark line): In the coming weeks I will try and snag pics of some other 'feet' and such to keep the database growing.
Very good idea - I'd been thinking I'd like to do something similar for modern repos and makers of repo-like new toys. A compare/contrast thing for all sorts of stuff, but it started when I was curious about the markings on the various reissues of the Marusan/Bullmark Godzilla. Maybe that can happen here too, but I wouldn't mind a sister thread. Spotted today in the Sales Dept. ---
Here are a few I have. Clockwise from top left, old Bandai, Nakajima, Yonezawa, Orange (middle), Takatoku, Marusan (from one of the originals).
Bandai and Nakajima are my favorites. Never seen the Bandai one. Thanks XVivaHateX for that awesome collage of foot stamps.
Here are a few more guys. Sorry for all the upskirt shots. Bigger versions available on my flickr page. The Bandai and Nakajima I am just reposting to show examples of the writing as well, in addition to boots/no boots. I haven't identified the top right, so if someone can read it, PM me.
Thanks for the help. The other foot is just marked Japan, so maybe this guy was just a promotional figure for the film, if he only carries the copyright info and no company markings. Still a great figure to me. Thanks again for the information, I will have to post some more of my mystery guys
Nitto produced a Barugon vinyl, so this could be the original or a repro of that sculpt. I have a couple of non-licensed Nitto vinyls and neither has their company name stamped on the toy. I don't know if licensed figures (e.g., Gamera series) were treated differently. More info: http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=26152
Doing a quick check tonight, and thought that this topic started by our dear Stevie, should be revived! If you happen to have any logos to add, this would make a great reference. If someone has the writing for Daikyo, and the logo of the little Shimada chickadee, can you please post it here? Thank you!
Nice thread revival Grace! I definitely think, even with most of the large companies covered, it is always helpful (and nice) to see more pics of toy stamps. It would also be interesting to see an evolution of the stamp version as the companies goes through its production. In hindsight, I wish I would have posted links to full-size photos of the above, something I should rectify when/if I can find the originals. I have a fairly clear shot of the Shimada toy logo I posted in the mail thread (albeit not mine), so I can carry that one over here. Here is the 'chick' logo belonging to the Shimada Toy company (島田トーイに) , who was the vinyl manufacturer for both Marusan and Bullmark during their heyday in the '60s and '70s . That is why you often see their stamp on toys from both companies covering the 'transition' period (sometimes wiped out/scratched from the mold on later toys). Noted common examples of this are on standard sized toys for TOHO licenses Gabara and Minya. for reference pic borrowed from the ever amazing and resourceful Amazing Toy blog
Yeah, I wasn't paying attention, but you are totally right Dennis. That is the same as on the Barugon I posted above, which you've already very helpfully identified. (Looks like Grace grabbed this stamp shot from a Gamera, hence the easy confusion.) Thanks for all the help man!
Thank you for posting the Shimada logo Stevie! I love the cute little chick! I'll have to adopt a Shimada Gabera some day, just to have one with that logo @akum6n Thank you for the Nitto correction Daniel! I checked the Mandarake store, and a lot of their toys listed as "Nitto" carry the same characters as in the Gamera foot I posted (no moss growing under your toes @ultrakaiju )--so I am a bit confused by that . Thanks too, for the Daikyo characters! Please see the corrected photo above!
I opened a box in storage and found this Captain Ultra Bandel Seijin I forgot I had (found in a Honolulu flea market in the early 90s). I know it's by Orange, and originally was by Marusan. Can anyone fill me in on Orange's history? I'm not familiar at all. Bandel Alien by Doug Hardy, on Flickr Bandel Alien by Doug Hardy, on Flickr
I feel like the Ark/Orange/EP question keeps coming up, and I've linked to this old thread multiple times now. But here it is again: http://skullbrain.org/bb/index.php?threads/burning-vintage-questions.27557/ Anyway, what a find! I'm guessing you picked it up at the Aloha Stadium swap meet. I've heard all sorts of stories about the stuff people have found there, but I've never really had much luck myself. I think the best thing I found was a ceremonial wakizashi short sword from WW2 (which was also back in the 90s).
Ah cool... I asked Kaminaga - san of Marusan about it on twitter and he said that he's going to answer it in a video. He's also started a thread on the Marusan FB page asking people if they have any questions that he might answer in a video as well!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the info Doug and Daniel! Can you please share the link to the video, once it's posted? Thank you!