Categories / Architecture, Toys and Games

1930s Triangtois art deco dolls house up for auction at Boldon Auction Galleries

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Some time back, we highlighted the Lundby midcentury-style dolls houses and furniture, examples of which can often be found on eBay. But here's something that's much harder to find – a 1930s Triangtois art deco dolls house.

It's up for auction at Boldon Auction Galleries, which is in the Newcastle area. Don't worry – you can absentee bid if you want it and don't happen to be local. We suspect fans of art deco housing just might, a superb period miniature house with plenty of detail, right down to fireplaces and light fittings.

Yes, it needs a bit of work, but with a guide price of between £50 and £80, it's not a lot for something we suspect is incredibly rare. See the interior over the page, with the auction taking pace on 16th March 2011.

Find out more at the Boldon Auction Galleries website

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Categories / Toys and Games

Sega Arcade Nano Keychain

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Ever get an urge to play an old school arcade game on the go? You can with the Sega Arcade Nano Keychain. Just as long as you happen to be near a TV.

Choose from two units, the  Sonic Arcade and Virtua Fighter 2, the first of those offering Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Alex Kidd, Air Hockey, Naval Power, Cannon, Fight or Lose and Checker within the mini control pad, the latter with Virtua Fighter 2, Shinobi III, Golden Axe, Golden Axe III, Alien Storm, Snake, Spider, Bottle Taps Race, Bomber and Hexagons.

Just plug into a TV and you can enjoy those Megadrive classics once more. When you're not playing, it hooks up to your person or fits into your pocket. Both are on pre-order now, £12.99 is the price for each.

Find out more at the Firebox website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Toys and Games

Lilliput Robot collectible from Bodie and Fou

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We've had a design influenced by retro robots only recently, with Clifford Richards' clocks, but you can pick up a replica of one of the original toy robots from Bodie and Fou who are selling this Lilliput Robot collectible

The Lilliput robot first appeared in Japan in the 1940s and was thought to be the first mass produced robot toy. This replica of that first robot, produced by Fantastic & Co, includes a wind-up key that allows the robot to move forward with its arms swinging. 

Strictly a piece for adults, rather than kids, the robot costs £9.95

Buy it online

Categories / Architecture, Toys and Games

Lego 20th Century Architecture Sets now available in the UK

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We featured these some time back, but after a quick browse of the Lego website, we've just noticed that the Lego Architecture Sets are now available in the UK.

We mentioned two originally, but now there are four US architectural classics on the market – the Empire State Building, the Seattle Space Needle, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and last, but certainly not least, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater construction, which is pictured above.

All are detailed replicas, all come with booklets detailing the design and the history. Just make sure you've got plenty of time to build them. An image of the Guggenheim is over the page, with prices starting at £19.99. Here's to some of the same from Lego.

Find out more at the Lego website

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Categories / Art and Photography, Toys and Games

Ninety Nine Invaders and a Spaceship Print

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There has been a glut of space invaders-inspired products around recently, but if you are still feeling nostalgic for the early arcade game, then you may like the Ninety Nine Invaders and Spaceship Print by Peters and Janes.

The print consists of a repeat print of a white space invader (presumably 99 of them, but I haven’t had time to count) plus one spaceship amongst their rows. The print is available in either orange or grey, framed or unframed.

The print costs £25 unframed or £65 framed from Peters and Janes via Not on the High Street.

Categories / Toys and Games

Jane Foster Designs Retro Fabric Lions

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Jane Foster Designs have been mentioned here before including her toy cats. In a similar vein, are her Retro Fabric Lions, a great gift for a child or decoration for your shelves.

The faces of the lions have been screen printed onto the fabric, then their bodies are made from various types of vintage or retro patterned fabric. Styles include a 1950s diamond pattern, Orla Kiely’s striped petal print and heart patterns.

The lions cost £12 from the Jane Foster website.