UNUSUAL THINGS FOR SALE

OPTICAL TOYS is a company in Vermont that sells lots of cool 19th century toys including magic spinning wheels with animated art on them, a phenakistascope kit, a Thaumatrope kit, 6 flipbooks of Eadweard Muybridge photographic studies, a zoetrope, etc. There are also a few modern devises that may amuse you.
For details write P O Box 23, Putney, Vermont 05346 or phone or fax 802 254 6115 email avoda@together.net web: http://www.together.net/~avoda/optical.htm

THE PORTABLE ANIMATION "TOTE" BOARD has a built-in disc. The portable animation stand is lightweight (about 5lbs.) and requires no assembling. The full sized revolving disc for 12 or 16 fields is mounted in a strong, light, collapsible plywood stand. It was designed by San Singer, the creator of Courageous Cat, Pow Wow, Sinbad Jr. and Bucky and Pepito.
Four models are available. They include a disc with two 20" movable bars, a disc with one movable bar, a disc with 2 sets of pegs and a disc with one set of pegs. Prices range from $169 to $339 and optional carrying cases with handles and shoulder straps are available for $39.95 (a deluxe case with 2 large pockets for papers, etc. is $59.95). Shipping and handling is $6 and if you live in California, don't forget the 8.25% tax.
For further information or to place orders contact Sam Singer Productions, 1246 North Hayworth Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90046 (213) 650-5730.

FANDOM DIRECTORY #16 is 608 pages of information and ads. There are lists of dozens of topics: fan publications (even a Betty Boop Fan Club), conventions, research libraries, zines, club, retail stores, art galleries, etc. Information on research libraries is quite good - for example the UC Berkeley library has a Winsor McCay collection.
The softbound book can be purchased from FANDATA for $22.95 plus $4 for shipping. 7761 Asterella Court, Springfield, VA 22152-3133 or phone or fax (703) 913-5575.

ELMO AARDVARK CLASSIC CARTOON SOUNDTRACKS is out as a CD from Audible Records #3701. Terwilliger Ryan's beloved Elmo Aardvark is described as "America's Original Animated Star!" He is a long forgotten character ("due to decades-old legal prohibitions") like P.D.Q. Bach. He once stared in Snappytoon cartoons. The CE includes an 8 page booklet that tells a great deal about his animated life.
The album features several guest stars including June Foray, the Palm Springs Yacht Club, Victoria Jackson, Diane Michelle, the Hollywood Cartoon Band, The Scat Boys, Clive Baldwin, Klum 'n' Rooby, Ukulele Luke and others. The slick album cover is by Leslie Cabarga.
The 14 tunes on the album include "The Snappytoon Song," Have a Lot of Fun!," Dinah's Back in Dixie!," "The Moonlight, a Tuba and You," 3 versions of "Elmo Aardvark - The Cinema's Favorite Star," and other musical delights. One of my favorites is a scat number titled "Them Birds, Them Bees."
Copies are available by mail from Animatoon Music, 2620 Jamia Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Compact discs and cassettes are available for $14.95 payable to Animatoon.
note: I assume somebody is currently taking care of business for the company, but if you order a copy and have to wait and wait contact Will Ryan, grandson of Terwilliger Ryan, at Dr. Seuss/Tadpole Productions, 34 E 67th St., 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10021 (212) 327-3140. He is currently working as a writer on a series of Dr. Seuss shows that will air this year on the Nickelodeon TV channel. Tadpole is a division of Jim Henson's Muppets.

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