From The Attic

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By Bill Andrews

In a nod to the holiday season, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum has put on display a fine collection of motorcycle-related toys, models and games, most of which came from AMA staff members' homes and offices.

On December 6, 2003, "From the Attic" opened during the museum's Leather & Ice party. The toys are drawn from a collections owned by Communications Vice President Greg Harrison, Administrative Assistant Tracey Powell's husband, Walker Powell, and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.

"The exhibit title, 'From the Attic,' comes from the idea that these are basically interesting toys that people like to collect, or that visitors might even find in their attics," says Museum Director Mark Mederski. "Take those plastic models that most people collected when they were in their early teens. It's fun to see them again, especially the ones that have long been off the store shelves."

The exhibit consists of six display cases, one of which contains those very rare plastic models assembled by Donald Fulton, from Roseland, New Jersey. Fulton's wife, Carole, donated them to the Museum ten years ago upon Donald's death.

Most of the Cast Iron models are from Powell's collection, and most of the tin toys and games are from Harrison's collection.

An avid collector, Harrison says he started in the early '80s.

"I bought my first toy at a flea market in about 1981 or '82" he says. "I paid $40 for it, and I had to think about it for about two hours. It's probably worth about $400 today."

Harrison has been adding to his collection ever since. The rubber toys are also his, as are the small boxed toys, like a Matchbox Police Rider, and the other smaller plastic models.

Also from Harrison's collection are the "fine art" pieces, which are sterling silver and crystal.

The exhibited toys range from 1930s to 1990s reproductions.

"From the Attic" ran through March of 2004.