Dim memories of sets we had as children

[Macruran]

I had some PM when I was a tiny tyke. I know I had the McDonald's sheriff (I can still see his silver badge), and I definitely had some firemen. But which set? I never had a clue until today when I saw this picture:



I remember clear as yesterday that yellow gas mask, the red helmets, the silver helmet, the fireplug, the hose, the radio, the axe and loudspeaker and other tools...the red collars, god I remember them well. Did I have the ladder though? I CAN'T REMEMBER. I can't remember the trampoline either. Medical briefcase? 60% sure I had it. Not sure about the barriers. Sure about the hose reels.

DID I OWN THIS? I will never know.

[Klickteryx]

I had a cowboy figure, might have been a sheriff.
He had a darker green torso, white arms and black legs. His hair was a very pale yellow. I recall him being in a set very much like the cowboy/mexican set 3241 but he could have come on his own too. The joys of trying to recall things from the distant past when the product was probably made under licence by playpeople or similar.
The torso and hair were unusual colours and I haven't seen them on anything else since.

[Tiermann]

Unless you were a child in the UK Macruran, the Playpeople set probably wasn't what you had. If you were in the US it is more likely to have been the version by Schaper instead. See http://www.klickypedia.com/sets/070-sch-fire-fighters-deluxe-set/. The big difference being the ladder is different in the early US sets. Something you mention not remembering from seeing the Playpeople set.

My first experience with Playmobil wasn't until my first job out of college. I worked in a bookstore that sold some sets.

[Macruran]

That's just it, I was a child in the UK. I lived there from about 6 months of age to about five years. And I distinctly recall referring to klickies as "playpeople", which is of course the original British name for them.

But your PM sleuthery is correct: the Schaper set must have been the one I had, because I DO remember those smaller ladders! Those and not the extensible Playpeople one. I even seem to recall experimenting with hairspray flamethrowers in the garage, did I burn klickies? Oh the sins of youth.

BUT! Mystery solved. Thank you Tiermann.

What was it about those early sets that caught your attention?

[Tiermann]

Well at that time I wouldn't call it early, it was during the height of the Victorian era. So it was the 5300 dollhouse and related sets plus a few things from other themes. (Victorian fence for $14.95 plus 20% off anyone?) But I didn't start collecting then. That didn't start until around 2000 I think, when I was looking for a current maker of animals and found Playmobil again.

[Macruran]

So animals was your angle huh? Interesting. That was my last major frenzy - I got most of the last Safari theme before the present one, no idea why, I just had to have all the animals. Luckily that cooled off or I'd be in Animobil territory.

The Victorian theme is magical. Hypnotic even. What other toy company would even think of doing something like that? Totally classic.

[GrahamB]

Interesting memories there Macruran. I remember you saying once your early childhood was spent in the UK. Perhaps you did have the Shaper version once you moved to the States?

I must say I like the simplicity of those early sets and have collected a few myself (never having ANY PM or PP as a child), more on that sometime in the future.

I wonder who was responsible for designing the box in your photo. It surely should be either Firemen's Super Set or Firemen Super Set? Apostrophe's just are'nt what they us'ed to be.

[bogol]

My first PM was either a 3312 construction worker or a 3313 roadman, I don't remember exactly. I do remember the toy store however (it closed more than 15 years ago) and that I paid with my own money (I was five or six). I still have the klickys but lost all accessories. Pity, I really loved the beer crate.

[Erik]

My first two Playmobil sets...Happy days. 

[GrahamB]

Have you not opened them yet Erik?