NOM Playset Figures

As many of you know, I am in constant search of any evidence that the 1977 Neighborhood of Make-Believe Playset ever existed. A catalog listing. A stray accessory. An adult who had one as a kid. I'd take anything.

Unfortunately, I've never had any luck -- until last week. And believe me, when it rains it pours.

Through three different avenues in less than five days, I was able to come up with three of the character figures from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe Playset and one from the Musical Trolley which was made by the same company that year. One person was looking to get rid of the Daniel Tiger figure which came with the Musical Trolley while another had Henrietta Pussycat and Prince Tuesday from the NOM Playset. As if that wasn't enough, just a few days later, I came across someone with the King Friday figure from the playset.

First, let's look at King Friday. In fantastic condition aside from a minor nick in his mustache, King Friday is marked on his underside with © F.R. 1954-77.

 

Prince Tuesday is missing a bit more paint, mostly from the inner part of his left arm and the base of his legs. Prince Tuesday is marked © F.R. 1975-77.

 

Henrietta Pussycat is in the worst shape of the four pieces I found. With a significant amount paint missing from her face, she is otherwise in pretty good condition. Henrietta is marked © F.R. 1956-77.

 

Last but not least, Daniel Striped Tiger comes from the Ideal Musical Trolley. This figure was included with the Trolley along with a figure of Lady Elaine Fairchilde. Daniel is marked © F.R. 1954-77

 

Although I am beyond excited to have found these four pieces, my desire to find the others has now intensified exponentially. At the rate of three or four pieces every few years, I might have an entire set by the time I retire.


Of course, if you have any pieces of this set or know where I might find some, please let me know!

Frank & Ernest

In case you didn't see Frank and Ernest last Sunday...

Episode 1500 - Pets

Original Air Date: June 4, 1982

  

For details on Episode 1500, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Episode 1499 - Pets

Original Air Date: June 3, 1982

  

For details on Episode 1499, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Episode 1498 - Pets

Original Air Date: June 2, 1982

  

For details on Episode 1498, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Episode 1497 - Pets

Original Air Date: June 1, 1982

  

For details on Episode 1497, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Familiar faces at Idlewild.

Neighbor Lawrence alerted me to the July 8, 2010 entry on the Idlewild blog. A recent promotion offered fans the opportunity to meet Mayor Maggie, Mr. McFeely, and Neighbor Aber (not to mention Purple Panda, as well).

For more on this event, visit the Idlewild blog. For those not familiar with Idlewild, check out some great pictures featured on a post from last November.

Thanks for passing this along, Lawrence!

Episode 1496 - Pets

Original Air Date: May 31, 1982

  

For details on Episode 1496, visit the Neighborhood Archive.

Among the family photos...

While enjoying a long holiday weekend back home with my dad, he and I found ourselves elbow-deep in several boxes of old family photographs. As we sifted through the hundreds of snapshots, we started taking note of the details in each picutre -- what people were wearing, items on shelves, etc.

Thumbing through a handful of pictures from the mid-1970's, my dad found one of my brother taken in a hotel room during a stopping point on a family vacation. Thinking aloud, my dad asked "What's that on TV there?" Giving the picture a close look myself, I had to smile.

I'd say that's Mister Rogers on TV there...

Neighborhood of Make-Believe Pen

Another unique item to show up on eBay recently...

...a Mister Rogers' Neighborhood pen. One side of the pen shows the program logo and a quote from the show...

...while the other side displays a bit of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. This side of the pen is apparently filled with a small amount of liquid which allows the Trolley to "travel" from side to side.

I'm not sure how old or new this pen might be, but it sold for about ten bucks on eBay.