A comprehensive survey of the world"s finest metal toys: mechanical novelties; toy railroads; automobiles and comercial vehicles; ships and boats; airplanes; toy soldiers. Complete coverage of the period c1850 - c1980: from the "flat" lead soldiers of the 1850"s to modern tinplate toys from the Far East; from the classic tinplate ships, railroads, and automobiles of the "Golden Age" to the diecast models that will be tomorrow"s collectors" treasures. Expert advice on assembling and maintaining a collection. More than 1,500 toys and 1,000 toy soldiers shown in over 200 full-color photographs. Every item is fully described.