It all started about 30 years ago, when I was in the 4th grade, I took a few days off school to go with my dad to an “Old Toy Soldier Show” in Chicago. Together, we went to dozens of toy shows from Chicago to Atlantic City to buy, sell, and ultimately accumulate a collection of Marx toys. And when I couldn’t go, my two sisters took their turn at experiencing the hobby. Over the years, we have met people and made friendships with toy collectors from across the country – from different backgrounds, each with their own stories of Marx.
In 1998, my dad bought an old building with a dream of starting a museum. Over the next 30 months, we created a museum – from the physical building and displays to the business operations and advertising. For two rookies, I think we did pretty well.
In 2010, we had the opportunity to meet Louis Marx Jr, who commented, “you know more about my family than I do” and for no doubt that reason, The son of Louis Marx, and his friend Dan Lufkin, helped to keep the museum open an additional five years.
In June 2016, the Marx Toy Museum closed, doors locked to visitors for almost a year until Mike and Frank showed up from American Pickers.
While Mike and Frank were interested in the toys, what really piqued there interest was the story of how all of this had happened, and throughout their visit, they dug deep into our collection of stories.
You see, Marx – the toys, the company, and the history of Louis Marx – has been a part of our family over 30 years. Marx has brought us some of our most memorable joys, excitements, challenges, frustrations, and at times, sacrifices.
The cameras kept rolling and questions kept coming – and for me, and I know my dad, it was an exciting and emotional day to reminisce HIS story of Marx – from how he got started to what he’s going to start next! My dad insisted I be a part of the day because so much of what we have done we have done together – I helped him build a museum, and he helped me build a pharmacy.
Dad, I am so proud of your story and so thankful that we have had so much of this story together. So now enjoy American Pickers: “Frank’s Big Day”. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as we did that day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckKCvfExsyg