Toy Hunters Jordan Hembrough Talks Vintage 1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls

 

After I wrote the blog about the new show Toy Hunters and it's terrific host, Jordan Hembrough, I was determined to ask him a few questions so I found his Facebook and sent him a public message on one of his updates.

I figured it was a long shot since he was in the midst of filming twelve episodes but regardless I still had to try because i believe that if you don't take a chance then you will not even have the opportunity.

So I decided to lay it all out and put it out there so that maybe I would be able to find out  if our little vintage diva and other creepy cute retro dolls would be featured too!  This is what I actually wrote him:

  "Hi Jordan, I love your new Toy Hunters show on the Travel Channel! I caught the first episode this past Sunday and I have already blogged about how great it was. Do you know when the new episodes will be out? Will we see anything on my favorite toy the 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls? I also would love to see stuff on other creepy yet cute dolls that are similar like: Flatsy, little miss no name, leggy, emerald the witch and I'm sure there are a lot more. I am really looking forward to the future episodes and hopefully even more will follow :D "

This morning I was so pleasantly surprised that Jordan had actually taken time out of his busy schedule to shoot me back a response!!!  I was over the moon because it was great news!!!!

 "Hi Anna_ YES on all accounts! I am so glad you liked the show and we are working hard to bring you a great series!"  Jordan
How freakin cool is that!  I wonder what other dolls he will feature, I bet there are many that we don't even know about!

 I posted the actual pic convo on my Photobucket if anyone would like to see :D  YES, I AM A DORK hahaha! 

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo

New AMAZING Show Toy Hunters On Travel Channel First Episode Featured Kenner But No 1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls :(

So yesterday, Sunday June 10th, 2012, after I got home from the beach, I was flipping through the channels and found a new show on The Travel Channel at 5pm called, "Deep Fried".  I was instantly in love because, I mean, how could you not love anything deep fried lol  I loved it so much I was hoping for another episode right after but I got something better.  Another new show called, "Toy Hunters" :D

Okay so Jordan Hembrough is the host of the show and he has been on the search for vintage toys for over 25 years, both as a collector and as a dealer.  His website is Hollywoodheroes.com and he also sells at the Comic Con shows where he has made over $15,000 US and now he has his eyes set on the NY Comic Con but this time he wants to make $20,000 US.  I believe I saw his booth at the Toronto Comic Con this past April because it looked identical to the one on the show.  There were lots of amazing toys that I know for sure!

For this first episode he goes on "the ultimate toy hunt" of his life!  The hour show takes us on this journey with him!  It was so fabulous to say the least!!  My favorite part of the show was when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, aka, "toy country USA", former home of the Kenner factory which produced some of the best toys of the 70s and 80s.  Some of the toys included: Star Wars, Care Bears, Super Powers, Ghostbusters, etc.

Jordon went on to describe that this area is vintage "toy heaven" which is a 300 mile radius from the factory because he stated that some of the former Kenner employees stuck around and with lots of the toys they used to help to make.  He even went to a former employees home where he "hoarded" Kenner toys!  No 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls though :( I believe that I did see a glimpse of a Blythe doll wig on an outfit box later on in the show, however.  My heart stopped as I was anxiously awaiting it's unveil as they went to friggin commercial :(  Grrrrrr! Watch the video below or you can go to the 28:24 mark right away and let me know what you think :D

Next on Jordon's stop was Queen City Comics that was also in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He first met with one of his buddies that explained how this shop was rumored to have treasures including prototypes that were traded like nothing!  He did find quite the jem which he took on as a 20% commission.

Jordon then drives out to Dayton, Ohio in order to be the first to venture into Tomart which is a guide with a "large warehouse" of toys!.  Tom, aka, the "toy guru" is the owner of Tomart who has collected 1,000s of toys from the 20th Century.  That is where I think I saw the box with the vintage 1972 blythe doll outfit but they pulled out a different toy :(

Next up was a Thundercats segment and then the NY Comic Con where the magic really happened where Jordan brought those treasures he found and more to the toy lovers.  Some even indulged and went home with some prized loot that they will probably cherish for a while.

 I find as a Blythe doll enthusiast myself, I am taken back to a time when I was a child, even though Blythe was before my time.  I did see hints of Blythe in the 80s, some outfits but no dolls :( at the Dutch Boy market clearance section in Ontario, though lol.

 This show was so 5 star that I had to do a search for it on YouTube just so I could watch it again.  I can't wait for the next episode to say the least which is said to air Sundays at 11 EST/PST but it's not listed on the Travel Channel online schedule?  I Googled the show and found out that Toy Hunters was picked up as a series for 12 more episodes so fingers crossed that they will air very soon :D 



Well I hope you love my blog about the new show Toy Hunters as much as I loved writing it for you all <3

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo