Cool and Collected - collecting pop culture memories and memorabilia
A general discussion of collecting cool things, such as vintage and modern toys, comic books, ephemera.
Here’s a picture of Grimlock, one of my favorite Transformers toys. This is what I would call a product shot — something that might be used in a catalog. The figure dominates the photo and all the details are crisp and clear. If your job is to sell and market toys, this is probably the [...]
Hasbro G.I. Joe Hazard Viper action figure (2011) I finally got around to taking some pictures this weekend using my new photo backdrop. The new GI Joe action figures from Hasbro make for some great subject material. I saw this Hazard Viper figure at Target and immediately bought it just so I could take pictures [...]
I finally got all the playsets out of their boxes and set up. I REALLY did want to put the Eternia set together, but the track pieces are so incredibly fragile that I chickened out. I also didn’t feel comfortable putting on the Lion’s arms since it didn’t seem like they would ever come off [...]
The Travel Channel served up a special treat for us toy collectors on Sunday night. A new show called Toy Hunters aired, which follows around toy collector and dealer Jordan Hembrough on his quest to find rare and valuable toys. The show is a carbon copy of the American Pickers formula, but while Mike and [...]
Okay, I teased you with a small photo yesterday so here are some photos that show the whole shebang. The Masters of the Universe brand led the charge of great promotional art back in the 80′s. I joked yesterday on Twitter about how I would like to put that Eternia box art on the side [...]
Over the holiday break, I was itching to do something creative that didn’t require sitting in front of the computer. One of my passions is photography, so I thought I would build something to help me take better photos of action figures, since I do a fair bit of that for this website. I started [...]
Reis O’Brien over at “Hey Look At My Toys!” is hosting a fun action figure nativity contest to get all of us into the true spirit of Christmas. Here’s my entry… Be sure to check out the contest to see all the great photos, and while you’re there, cast your vote. Number 2 is a [...]
Oh Craigslist, how do I love thee? I have been stocking the shelves for the long cold winter ahead, and made a big purchase of 80′s toys today. How big? Well, it almost didn’t fit in my car… Six large boxes full of toys! Let’s see what was inside… There was quite a variety of [...]
Mike Bartley, a friend of Cool & collected sent in this great recap from his visit to last Weekend’s Steel City Con. I rarely get to go to conventions anymore, with two kids and a working wife. So, to find one that’s affordable, and that my wife agrees driving to, is a rare thing. The [...]
