Contributed by collector and Overstreet Advisor Art Cloos
Photographs by Alice and Art Cloos
The Wayne Toy Show has been a fixture on the first Sunday of the month for over 20 years at the Wayne Firehouse, located at 97 Parish Drive in Wayne, NJ. Now run by its new owner and promoter Joe Veteri it continues to attract large crowds each month and Sunday, February 5, 2017 was no different. The show was once again jam packed inside and outside with almost 90 tables of vintage and current collectibles from vintage comics to vintage toys and items from the world of sports to those from movies and TV. Literally every available space was used both inside and out by dealers offering their wares. Allie and I always find something new to add to our respective collections and this month was no exception.
As is true of many local shows, Wayne has its set of both regular dealers and customers who all know each other. There is usually a waiting list for first time dealers until a spot opens up, but new dealers do set up every month and there is always something different at each show. Steve Savino of Toy Hunters fame is a regular there as either a dealer or buyer and his Toy Hunters partner Jordan Hembrough shows up and was at the show this month checking out dealer's tables. Legendary dealer, show promoter, and collector Mike Carbonaro who often sets up at Wayne was there. Comic dealer Gary Platt was set up in his usual spot and had plenty of people looking through his boxes for books to buy and noted vintage paper dealers Brendan and Robin Faulkner were set up in their usual location too. Pat Dunne had his tremendous selection of rare and hard to find vintage videos for sale.
This month's edition was special because comic creator and legend Neal Adams was at the show, courtesy of Mike Carbonaro's Big Apple Conventions. Guest artists have been a feature of Wayne Toy shows for many years but there was perhaps a bit more than the usual excitement for an artist appearance as he arrived and set up. Adams sold prints and original art as well as taking commissions from his fans.
As we left for the day people were still lined up at the door to get in. Allie and I were already looking forward to next month's show to see what we will next find.
The remaining show dates for 2017 are March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, and December 3 – always on the first Sunday of the month. Show times feature an early bird admittance from 8 AM to 9 AM with an $8 admission fee. Regular admission is from 9 AM to 2 PM for $5. Children under 8 years of age get in for free and there is plenty of free parking outside the fire house with additional parking on Taylor Drive or across Parish Drive at the PAL Building.
For further information you can check them out on Facebook, at www.waynenjtoyshow.com, or email waynenjtoyshow@aol.com or call (973) 768-6649.
