Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-14
TOY FAIR MECCA
FOR j. S. RETAILERS
PIaything Buyers From All
Sections Attending Show
at st. Louis.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, February 14.-Like
much OF the transportation of the
United States. many Of the toys OF
the Nation will be on rubber tires In
the next wear. There is big trend
toward what the trade knows AS
wheel goods" This is shown I'M
nistakably at the toy fair now IN
progress here.
This fair is the mecca for the 81.
Nicks OF the Nation at present. RAY
Athing buyers are here from every
state, and 1000 manufacturers. both
domestic and foreign now have eX-
hibits on view. All this is In prepa'
ration for the holiday season i0
months hence. Any boy or girl VINO
could get a peek at these exhibits to-
day would be able to tell pretty well
what Santa Claus could be expected
to leave December % next.
II. d. Clark, secretary, estimates
that the sale of fully half the play.
things of the country Is influenced by
the fair which is a cooperative asso-
citation OF exhibitors. Visiting whole
salers and store buyers either give
orders direct or take memoranda of
items 10 guide them in making up
their Christmas stock. Thus the FAIR
influences the sale OF at least $780,
000,0 900 worth of merchandise priced
on wholesale basis. Some manufac-
turers are able to close their books
right after the exhibit and devote
the remainder Of the year to produc-
ton without further selling efforts.
Sturdier Toys i'm Demand.
A great change in the type of play
things has taken place in the last few
years, according to fair officials.
Larger and sturdier toys are demand
ed, although great variety OF small
and cheap toys also are available.
This has brought prosperity to the
toy trade, since the trend has raised
the unit value of the toys purchased.
This is specially noticeable in the So
called activity toys. such as bicycles.
scooters, wagons and automobiles.
There were more doll carriages
made in America in the last year than
there We're baby carriages. There is
also a marked desire to provide toys
which the child can operate personally
and the drift is away from the me-
chanical toy.
Dolls are as popular with the small
girl as ever, but the great desire
nowadays is to produce a doll which
will smile. Facial expression no long
err is confined TO opening and closing
the eyes. and the shrill squeak of
mamma must be accompanied by
appropriate lip and facial actions.
Dolls are following the fashion as
closely as those who buy them. hav-
ing longer legs and shorter dresses.
Nursery Furniture Demanded.
Demand for nursery furniture and
doll furniture is growing steadily, &C.
cording 10 the toy men. These toy
chairs, beds, tables and other articles
of furniture are extremely sturdy,
and that chacteristic is followed
throughout the whole toy list. Even
the toy fire engines and small toy
automobiles are sufficiently strong
and heavy to bear the weight of any
ordinary child. The demand for small
toy automobiles as we'll as those
which run by leg power is extremely
heavy, but the toys must do more
than roll. That is, Ii truck must
dump its load as well as carry it. so
that the children have a chance to
operate the mechanism themselves.
Playthings from all countries find