Wheeljack’s Lab invites you to explore the 1985 Tonka Toy Fair Catalog. Since catalogs like this were initially distributed at trade shows, the general public rarely saw them. Thus, few could catch glimpses of upcoming toy lines and products. Luckily, our high-definition scans allow you to view the promotional images of Tonka’s GoBots action figures and more.
Turn Your Tonka Toy Fair Catalogs and Toys into Cash Today
The 1985 Tonka Toy Fair Catalog greeted readers with a letter from the company’s former president, Patrick S. Feely. This letter read as follows:
“Dear Customer:
Magic. That’s what the toy business is all about – creating the magic in a child’s world.
In the past two years, the dramatic growth of the toy business has been based on exciting new categories which have captured that magic and exploded in sales. Tonka has been a leader in this growth with our GoBots line.
For 1985, the industry is bursting with new product concepts, but only a few will have the magical appeal it takes to succeed. At Tonka, we believe our greatest strength is in making magic. This means innovative concepts that strike a resonant cord with a child’s emotions and fantasies. It also means delivering the magic through outstanding product execution and powerful marketing programs.
We’re ready for 1985 with our most magical product line and extensive marketing effort ever, but we need your support to make it happen. Join us, and we believe you’ll agree that ‘The Magic is Here!’”
We are glad to present these exciting, exclusive 1985 Tonka Toy Fair Catalog scans. Check out even more of our scans to see the exciting promotional images from Tonka’s past.
Do you have old and used Tonka toys?
Do you have a collection of old and used Tonka action figures, toy fair catalogs, and other toys sitting around? You can turn those items into cash today. There is no reason to let those vintage catalogs and toys collect dust. Contact us today to start the process.
About Our Tonka Toy Fair Catalog Scans
Tonka handed out catalogs to attendees of toy fairs and other events, such as dealers and retailers, to promote their upcoming slate of products. Each catalog contained information about the company’s newest toys, even ones still in development. Thus, companies often included first looks at action figures, playsets, vehicles, etc. Therefore, they have become valuable and rare collector’s items.
These Tonka Toy Fair Catalogs featured toys from their beloved lines. For instance, Tonka made waves when they released a line of transforming robots, the GoBots. They also embraced the fantasy world of Willow. The company is also fondly remembered for the Spiral Zone action figures.
Tonka used in-production prototypes in their images as these catalogs were prepared before the lines were released. This meant that the featured toys often differed from the retail releases. Moreover, toys sometimes appeared only on these catalog pages, as they were canceled or never hit retail store shelves.
While Tonka only handed these booklets to trade professionals, we have now made them available to all. You can explore the toys featured in these catalogs with our Tonka Toy Fair Catalog Scans. This is a rare treat since catalogs like these have become increasingly difficult to locate with each passing year.