This blog is going to straight to you, the reader — what's the most important factor in buying a toy? There are many reasons to buy a toy, but I'd like to know what the driving factors are in purchasing a toy.

First, let me clarify. I realize that nostalgia is a driving force in many toy purchases. I also realize that many collectors have a particular area of interest. If a toy fits that interest, they will probably pick it up. But I'm looking for something a little deeper.

Do you buy toys based on condition?  Do you buy toys based on the need to complete a series or fill a void in the overall collection? Or perhaps this is a dream toy you've been waiting your entire life to get your hands on? Maybe it’s just the attractiveness that puts you over the edge?

Since there are so many toys out there to choose from in any given category, I'm looking to get into the minds of our readers. I think it would be fun to get differing views from collectors on their habits. We're all crazy for toys — I just want to see if the diagnosis is the same.

For me, I pick out toys that I find unique and fun. Condition doesn't matter that much to me. Often, I'll read about some unique toy from a reader or columnist, and then I'll happen upon it at a sale somewhere and pick it up. Knowing the background on the piece's production and how kids enjoyed it when it was originally available is a real treat for me.  So while a nice example of a Popeye Rowboat would be nice, I'm just as happy with a worn-out version of the Odd Ogg.

I guess that’s what makes this hobby so unique.

As I type this, I'm putting to bed the August 2007 issue of Toy Shop. (Like the journalistic speak there?) There's a lot of great articles in the upcoming issue, but I'll allude to those in a future newsletter (did you sign up yet?) and on the Toy Shop Web site. One of the articles concentrates on Pirates of the Caribbean collectibles. And since it's Friday and I saw the movie last weekend (man, was that a crowded theater), let's discuss all things Pirates.

Everything was brought together in this last one, and perhaps it won't be the last one. I enjoyed the flick, though some of the scenes were almost laughable. The marriage proposal and Miss Swann rallying the troops made me chuckle. But then again, this is a Disney movie. But now I'm just waiting for collectibles of that darn monkey and the midget pirate. Actually, The Noble Collection has a letter opener featuring the monkey, but I'm sure more are on the way.

I also think someone will do prop replicas of all of the special pieces held by the pirates from around the world — something like the "eight pieces of nine?" These were hardly stately items, but they were important nonetheless. Perhaps a Keith Richards figure holding all of the pieces would do the trick.

And as much as I like the Black Pearl, I would sure like a replica of the Flying Dutchman. Zizzle does some pretty good ship reproductions, but these are not quite the high-end pieces I'm looking for. I think a 2-foot representation would look nice in my living room. And if anyone can make a bathroom toy to replication the swirling sea scene, I'm in.

Now, I'm off to see Shrek the Third, and I still have to see Spider-Man 3 before those other blockbusters come out. I'll have a toy wish list for those, too. And if you have any toy suggestions based on the summer movie lineup, add your comments below.

In the next issue of Toy Shop, we'll be looking at some of the top TV/movie toys of all time. As you might have guessed, the list of toys in this category is quite long, so I expect a little help in forming the list. Have you got any favorites? Let me know, and I'll add them to the list.

I thought I'd take a little time and discuss some of my personal favorites.  Being a kid of the 1980s, I was a fan of Masters of the Universe toys, but in this position, I've grown to love many great toys from the past. I love Western caps guns based on Have Gun Will Travel and the Lone Ranger shows. Nothing transformed you into a character better than gun and holster set. I still shoot toy guns in the office, much to the chagrin of my co-workers.

I also love spy movies, so an attache case, spy camera or trick pen is something I can always use. These characters always had some great gadgets, and I'm glad many companies decided to produce toys of these little wonders. I think some of these need to be added to the list, as well.

Of course, hardly a movie goes by today without a line of associated toys. Just imagine the secondary profits that will be made in the next few weeks with the release of Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. It's mind-boggling. But will these toys someday make their mark as the best TV/movie toys of all time? Maybe, but I'll stick with a Creature of the Black Lagoon figure any time.

Don't forget to add your thoughts as to the best TV/movie toys of all time. I'm listening.

As Shop Talk columnist Mark Rich can attest to, we get our fair share of inquiries from readers asking for help in identifying toys, providing some historical background and even possibly giving the piece a ballpark value. It's no easy task, and Mark is one of the best in the business in helping readers out.

However, I, too, get some of these questions. And when I don't go running to Mark for an answer, I attempt to dig up the information myself. What I've found is that reference books contain a mountain of information — and there's something out there on nearly every toy category. But from time to time, these mystery toys will surface that don't seem to have left any evidence in books or online. And these are real fun ones to try and dig up information on.

I recently received a call from a woman who is seeking information on a tin toy saxophone that includes paper rolls. Now, nothing immediately jumps to mind with that description, and I will be asking for a photo to help me understand better what I'm looking for. A picture does a lot in conveying details.

I once received a call from another reader who had "an old Mickey Mouse" doll. Based on the caller's description, it did indeed sounded like an older doll — possibly one that was even worth a decent chunk of change. However, when I received a photo of said doll, I could immediately tell it was much newer than I suspected. But it sure was fun tracing the history of Mickey dolls in the meantime and seeing the different dolls that were produced.

Mark must have a pretty good reputation in identifying toys, because we get a fair number of referrals from the toy industry, toy museums and even manufacturers. They send the callers to us, and we're happy to at least try and get some answers.

So if you have any mystery toys in your collection, send us a letter, e-mail or call. We'll do the best we can. And if possible, send a photo along. This will help speed up the process on our end.

Happy toy collecting!

Having spent the past few weeks off and on at a place I'd rather avoid — hospitals — it dawned on me more than ever of the healing power of toys. And while, I was in the adult areas of the hospitals, the power of toys remained the same, from family to friends to the nursing staff. (The nursing staff loves cookies, too, but that's for another blog.)

In this particular instance, the toys were stuffed animals and a battery-operated plush item featuring monkeys who sang about "going home." These weren't anything special, but they brought a smile to everyone who witnessed them, including the patient who wasn't exactly a enamored by toys.

And I think this is how it all begins — collecting toys, that is. As children, we look for something to comfort us and we gradually move on to other toys that are found near these creature comforts. And it is those memories that drive us to collect our childhood toys as adults. While I don't think this patient is going to run out and try to find her toys from the 1940s and '50s (though I'd love to help!), it did bring to the forefront about how great the toy collecting hobby is and what a pleasure it is to "work" in this field.

This particular blog isn't full of any particular news item or earth-shattering auction results — just something that's been on the brain for the past few weeks.

So, did you hear the latest news surrounding toys that supposedly will be able to read brain waves? It's a few years down the road, but it's on the horizon nonetheless.

According to news reports, NeuroSky Inc. is hot on the trail in developing toys and video games that can read brain waves. One of the prototyes making the rounds at NeuroSky is a Darth Vader getup complete with mask, cape and lightsaber. However, behind the mask is a sensor that touches the person's forehead and reads that person's brain signals. These signals are then sent to a wireless receiver on the lightsaber, which glows or stays dormant depending on the user's thoughts. So I guess if you're thinking about taking down Darth Maul, it stays lit. However, if an ice cream sundae is on the brain, good luck protecting yourself against Stormtroopers.

This brain-reading technology has been used on athletes for quite a while. Apparently, this helps people maintain mental focus, and the idea with incorporating it into toys and games is to help those afflicted with hyperactivity disorder, autism and mood disorders. One of the first toy-related products using this technology is expected to debut in the U.S. at the American International Fall Toy Show in October.

Well, I've always been hesitant against people knowing what I'm thinking, but this could be rather fun. Many people have questioned my attention span, but now I can see the results for myself. While I'd rather there be a better way to improve mental focus than by playing games, if this can indeed offer some relief to those suffering from disorders, I'm all for it.

I'll be real interested to see how these technological wonders will work. I could be a test person. If I can keep my lightsaber lit up all day while at work, does that reflect my superior mental focus or the fact that I'll do anything to avoid any actual work? I suppose this is just the tip of the technological iceberg in toys and games. I just wonder when the teleporter will be ready.

As someone who has been in and around the collecting hobby for a good chunk of my life, I've noticed a few traits of collectors. I've talked to many people who have so much stuff in their homes, there is barely enough space to actually walk around. Now I'm guessing these types of collectors aren't the ones who limit themselves to one category or type of toys. They buy anything and everything — to be used as parts, trade bait or simply because they can't seem to let anything pass them by.

Others are like me. I buy a little of something here and there. I'm not tied to one particular category. I have a smattering of action figures, a few tin tanks, some board games and even a lightsaber or two among my Milwaukee Brewers memorabilia in "my room" in the basement. I don't have so much stuff that I can't move, but I don't have a dedicated collecting field, either. To me, it makes it that much more fun when I hit antique shops with my mom. I never know what I might bring home.

And then there are those collectors who have a targeted niche in collecting. For instance, they might collect Hot Wheels. In that case, there might be display case after display case filled with models, prototypes and exclusives. These types of collectors have a specific item they are looking for, and they dive into it like a colege student working on his senior thesis.

Is any one method better than another? No way. And that's what makes this hobby great. You don't have to be rich to enjoy it, and there are plenty of other folks out there who enjoy the same thing.

Of course, that leads to one question — what type of collector are you? (And don't be afraid to show off your collection to the rest of us.)  

Welcome to Talkin’ Toys, the official blog for me, Toy Shop magazine editor Tom Bartsch. This will be one of three blogs for Toy Shop magazine. Toy Shop columnists Karen O’Brien and Mark Bellomo will host the other two blogs, which will launch shortly.

Let me first introduce myself. I have been the editor of Toy Shop for approximately four years. Toy Shop itself has been around since 1988, starting as a classified ad “shopper” magazine for toy collectors before transforming into the magazine you see today. The focus has always been on collectible toys, and we’ll use these blogs as an extension of the magazine.

Here’s what you will be seeing in this blog. I’ll share any breaking developments in the toy industry and offer my view on the situation. I’ll also comment on auction news and share what categories seem to be getting more attention from bidders. This blog will also be a good place to open up a dialog with readers on a regular basis. So share your thoughts on the hobby, your collection and your views on where the industry is heading into the future. This is the Toy Shop community, and your voice should be heard.      

This blog will be updated frequently. However, you can share your thoughts at any time, and I encourage you to do so. You can post photos of your collection, or if you have a problem identifying your collectible, we’ll post it and the knowledgeable readers of Toy Shop can help solve the mystery. Everyone loves a mystery, right?

We hope you enjoy the added features we’ve provided for you. In addition to checking this blog, be sure to sign up for the weekly Toy Shop electronic newsletter, Toy Shop Xpress. This newsletter will be e-mailed to your inbox every week. To sign up, click on the newsletter sign-up box on the Toy Shop Web site.

We’ll dive in with some toy topics in the next blog. For now, welcome to a new chapter in the history of Toy Shop magazine. I’m glad you joined the adventure.

Playtime starts now!