When I was 5 or 6, my most earnest desire was to lay my hands on some 20-25 solid plastic animal figurines, very small but perfectly made, and kept in a pink powder box in my mom's dressing table drawer. These toys were given as freebies in Binaca toothpaste packs in the 70s and my mom had a collection from the time before I was born. I was forbidden to touch the elusive drawer, for all of my mom's favourite things were there and it is so ingrained in my mind that even today, I hesitate before opening it. Mom's collection is still there in the same box and I still get fascinated by them. I don't remember using Binaca, though. It was Colgate all the way in my childhood. But if you search for "Binaca toys" in Google, you can see quite a few blogs and memoirs, mostly by people in their middle ages, mentioning these little beauties, and narrating their own stories of collection, exchange of duplicates, and trading in these toys as children.
Yesss! I too used to collect them at one point of time. Had no idea Binaca carried on with these toys for so long that even you got to lay your hands on them.
ReplyDeleteI think they stopped the practice in early 70s but I could see a few thanks to my mom's collection. Thanks for reading and commenting :)
DeleteDear Sunandita,
ReplyDeleteVery Excited I am to see your post. I was a passionate collector of these toys in childhood and lost few while shifting. I am excited to find my most favourite Donkey, that I lost and trying to get through exchange. If by any chance you have its duplicate and agree to exchange, it will be like most desired dream coming true. I shall wait for your response.
Thanks
I am Seema from IGNOU, New Delhi. My email id is seemac64@gmail.com
The collection is my mom's. So, will ask her and get back. Thanks for reading :)
DeleteThanks for the response. The SEARCH for these toys landed me to your blog and I enjoyed reading your posts. Keep writing and I shall wait for the positive response from your Mom. All the best
ReplyDelete