31 DAYS OF COFFEE MUGS (2020): Toy Story Mugs

Disney Pixar's Toy Story needs no introduction. The award-winning movie series debut in 1995 and was a huge hit everywhere including in our household where there were two little boys who loved Woody and Buzz.  Since then, the familiar characters have entertained us through a total of four movies with a rumored number five on the way.  

We all know that 2020 has been a year of challenges because of the virus. In the movie world, this has meant the closing of theatres and a reduction in film production. Will there be a fifth movie? The answer to that question is still unknown so we will just have to wait and see if our beloved characters will return.

Anyway, today is Day 5 in my current 31 Days of Coffee Mugs series and I am thrilled to present these handsome limited edition Toy Story coffee mugs. They were originally sold through the Disney Store in commemoration of Toy Story's 20th Anniversary. They feature the original sketches and concept art for Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

These retired mugs are generously sized, measuring 4 5/8 inches (11.8 cms) in height and 3 3/8 inches (8.6 cms) across the top and are both microwave and dishwasher safe.

Whether you prefer Woody, everybody's favorite cowboy, or Buzz Lightyear, our favorite space ranger, you can still find these mugs both new and used sold as a set or individually on eBay by clicking right here.

What is on your favorite coffee mug? 

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Links:

See the Toy Story merchandise in my eBay store.

Vintage Texas Instruments Speak and Spell

Do you recognize this vintage learning toy?  I remember it though I was too old to play with it in the late 1970s or early 1980s.  It's the Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, an electronic toy designed to help youngsters improve their spelling skills. 

The Speak & Spell was one of the first handheld devices that had a display and changeable game cartridges.  I have been reading about it and it really does have an ineresting technical history, which you can read about on Wikipedia by clicking here. It is interesting that there is a Speak & Spell on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. 

This toy has a history in the movies, too. As shown in this Youtube video, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial used the Texas Instruments Speak & Spell to build his  interstellar communicator.  

SPOILER ALERT: Beware that this video contains clips from throughout the movie. It does, however, do a good job of showing how E.T. used the Speak & Spell to communicate with home.

The Speak & Spell also appeared as Mr. Spell in two Disney movies, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and in a number of horror movies including Bride of Chucky and Poltergeist III. 

It turns out that E.T. wasn't the only one to manipulate the Speak and Spell. According to Digital Trends, musicians are now using Speak & Spell units for "circuit bending in their music, where the guts have been modified to create new sounds."

For these reasons and, I expect a bit of nostalgia, the Texas Instruments Speak & Spell sells consistently on eBay and eBay is likely the best place to easily source one. 

Brenda

Treasures By Brenda

You never know what treasures

I might have in store for you!

Quick Links:

Click here to see find your Texas Instruments Speak & Spell on eBay.