Cover Band

Happy Earth Day!

Vernon Grant Fairy Tales

Vernon Grant was one of the great American illustrators of the 20th century. I think because most of his work dealt with Mother Goose fairy tales, he is not as well remembered as others of his time. For me his work is timeless and exceptional.

During the 1930's, he had a relationship with Kellogg's that involved his creation of premiums and artwork for the backs of cereal boxes. During this time he also created Snap, Crackle and Pop. Most of his work for Kellogg's involved fairy tales but he also did an amazing series of box backs that covered important American landmarks. This art in particular shows what a singular talent he was.

Funny Face Fun Club

I loved Funny Face as a kid. I saved packs and sent away for mugs and iron ons some of which I saved until I was an adult. Mailing away for stuff as a kid was both fun and frustrating but I am sure any kid that got the Funny Face Fun Club kit in 1970 was more then happy with the wait. I never had this kit as a kid so for the last 12 years I have been trying to piece together a complete one. I just finished by getting the mailer from a good friend of mine, Jim Rash. I have to say it was worth the wait.

Ooof!

Artist Spotlight

I just love Flickr because of the wonderful artwork you can run across there. My latest favorite is the art of Suda Chen or "sudabox" on Flickr. She is in Shanghai, China and is doing a series of daily watercolors that are quite beautiful and amazing.

Watercolors of Suda Chen

Quik Spook Group

In 1975, Nestle Quik did one of the coolest monster promotions of all time, the Spook Group. Single serving packs of Quik had a series of monters on their backs and the box they came in touted collect all 32. Different monsters appeared on the backs of Strawberry and Chocolate Quik (except Countess Vampira who appeared on both flavors). In my years of collecting I have found 26 of the strawberry monsters and 24 of the chocolate. The box they came in featured a very cool haunted house on the back. Be prepared for monster overload!

Planet Q magazine #4

For those of you into Cereal and Rocke and Roll the new issue of Planet Q is just for you. Full color cover with 38 b/w pages tracing the history of Rock and Roll on cereal boxes. Covered are the Banana Splits, Monkees, Beatles, Archies, etc. To order contact Robb at toygalaxy@juno.com

Mr Toast Art Store

I just added a new Mr Toast Store on Etsy where I am going to be selling some of my artwork. Right now it is just acrylic paintings but I am going to add some drawings in a few weeks and maybe some watercolors. Feel free to check it out.

MR TOAST STORE

Thinking of Easter

Happy Easter

Casper in 1970

In 1970, Harvey Comics went to town with licensing Casper to food manufacturers. There were cookies, candy, drinks and cereal. It was kind of a burst on the scene but it quickly faded. I don't think most of the products lasted more then a year or two. But the products looked good and for collectors they are hard to find and highly coveted.