gumby!

i was asked a question again at gumbyland about how to identify an original lakeside gumby bendy toy, so i thought i'd answer here so people who search can refer to it in the future ~

first of all, if you want to be certain you're getting an original lakeside gumby or pokey bendy from the 60's, you can look for one 'on card' (still in the original package) but i've seen these go on ebay for $75+, so be prepared to battle other bidders.. these are nos: a new old stock superflex bendy fresh out of an old unopened lakeside case ~

here's pokey, you can click on the photos to see the larger size ~

these 2 had some real wear so i was able to snag them for under $20 each ~

an original gumby or pokey bendy feels different than the more modern ones, the rubber is.. well, rubbery-er.. lol, less smooth, & pokey is a dark red. pokey gets orangier & they get more plastic feeling in the later versions. gumby's eyes are smaller, his headbump is pointier & his thumbs are prominent. there's a 60's date on the back and usually 'lakeside ind. inc. made in hong kong'..

mark ~

another ~

  

pokey has a little 'smile mark' on the bendy & the bitty..

these original lakeside bendys came with the jeep playset & are almost identical to the packaged ones.. 

the identifying mark on the back ~

this pokey has a lakeside ind inc. 1965 marking ~

original lakeside bittys follow much the same pattern ~

  

then there are the jesco versions that came in the 70's & 80's ~ also made in hong kong..

jesco bittys ~

  


jesco became trendmasters in the late 80's ~ gumby's headbump became smaller, his thumbs stubbier, pokey's mane is now up over the front of his forehead & his eyes are blue ~

made in china..


in the 90's jesco/trendmasters transitioned to the prema toy co. ~

   
toys will have both company marks on the back..

  

slightly smaller than most bendys is the applause version, he is a different shade of green & looks off to his left ~

  

prema/applause ~ identifying mark is on gumby's right foot ~ made in china..

same with the bitty version ~

from 1989, he's a tad taller than other bitties at 3 1/2" tall ~

i've found the applause toys to be less common ~

there are bittys, bendys & giant bendys ~

 
& pokey's pupils are black again ~

other contemporary makers include the nj croce co. & playskool (ri) ~

50th anniversary bendys ~

60th anniversary collector's edition gumby ~

2016 pokey looks a shade redder ~

playskool bittys ~

  

there are lookalikes that are often keychains, kid's meal prizes or game pieces, sometimes by 'sher stuff', 'applause'' or 'art clokey' ~

i call these my mystery gumbys, i don't know whether they are originals or counterfeit or what, but they are super-rubbery & have no identifying markings, almost like they're homemade. the bittys may have been coin-machine prizes?

update ~ check out the comments here! as it turns out, these unmarked bendies may actually be the rare 1964/1965 original clokey productions released early superflex bendies? ~ thanks, gumboflexo!

   

another one ~

he's a little beat up ~

saving possibly the best for last ~

here are some great examples of gumby rares ~

this is a nice vintage rubbery gumby that looks like the first lakeside superflex toys but has no marking at all ~

& rarest is this pre-lakeside gumby from 1964 ~

he was made by the gumby toy company by art clokey before all the others, found in the la area ~

as you can see by the tiny gtc mark on the back of his left foot ~

g.t.c. & a copyright c in circle above ~

update: click here for more about the rare vintage prema heart bendy :D ~

this is not even going into all the side characters that are available ~

visit gumbyland for more photos!

see also: gumby bendys & bittys & pokey bendys & bittys

disclaimer ~ these are just my best observations as someone who has been collecting gumby stuff for a long time, so if you note any mistakes or can add anything to this guide, feel free to let me know. for now, i hope this helps..

have a gumby day!
ghost & toxic

UPDATE!! Clarification from Joe Clokey ~

Great Blog Bren!

Here's the different bendables over the years:

1964-1968 60's shape Gumby. First a Run by Gumby Toy Company, and then all the rest by Lakeside toy Co. licensed by Clokey Productions. This, and all bendables were designed by Art.

1976 - A special "Super-Flex". This had a unique shape were Art combined the 60's design of the body and made Gumby's bump and face more like the '57 gumby. This is the most rare bendable, except for the run before Lakeside.

mid 70s - Jesco makes a run, the first of which look like the 60's gumby's, I think they used the old lakeside molds, then by the late 70's the new more modern design was produced and sold through the early 80's.

80's - I have to do some checking on this, but I think Playschool made some bendables, then by the mid 80's NJ Croce started making them. The modern shaped gumby is what these are like.

90s - Trendmasters makes the bendables.

Late 90's to present - NJ Croce makes the bendables.

2005/6 - Prema Toy (Clokey Productions) designs a 50th anniversary retro Gumby Bendable with a shape like the 60's Gumby character and a blister card with that period in ode to.

Soon to come a new 60th anniversary bendable made from the '57 Gumby mold. The first time ever!

relevant link

update: fellow gumby collector gumboflexo, who has commented here in the past, sent me this great lineup of various gumby models starting with the 1964/65 clokey/lakeside and the basic lakeside styles through 1973 (a few are missing because they are still mint in packaging :) ~

check out the subtle differences over the years, i'm fond of the slightly wider eyed version in the middle, which is the one i have at the top of this post :) anyone feel free to share information here, please leave comments regarding molds & models, markings etc as we still don't have a definitive list of all the old bendys that were available.. 

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Comments

[ghost]

would also like to see a 60s gumby with the big flat black pupils like on the front of the dvd too, we've been suggesting so up at joe's youtube here ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYPs6ulr_sI&index=22&list=PL1C61E0A119A76B39

p.s. some cool vintage on ebay ~ http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-MIXED-LOT-GUMBY-POKEY-ASTRONAUT-FIRE-DEPT-COWBOY-1965-LAKESIDE-TOYS-/231954036175?hash=item360189b5cf:g:L7oAAOSwNsdXQ0OX

[Gumboflexo]

Yes, and a more accurate Gumby shape as well, with thicker arms and a sharper head bump. I've given up on the flexibility issue, but that's where the vintage Gumby figures come in. Fortunately, loose Lakeside Superflexes are still relatively affordable, but it depends on the specific model and condition.

[ghost]

a cute but pricey pokey :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-SOLID-WOOD-GUMBYS-PAL-POKEY-ROCKING-HORSE-CHILDS-SIZE-ROCKER-RIDE-ON-TOY-/361452018901?hash=item5428381cd5:g:FxYAAOSwZ1lWdGSq

[ghost]

i noticed while perusing dvds at bestbuy & on amazon that these slots are ready for preorder ~ although the one including a bendy :D!? says Volume #1? a mistake? so i'm looking forward to sept 13th..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/gumby-60s-series-v2-dvd/31702191.p?id=3590067&skuId=31702191

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/gumby-60s-series-v1-plus-bendable-dvd/31702182.p?id=3590035&skuId=31702182

https://www.amazon.com/Gumby-60s-V2/dp/B01GX8PELW/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1467846097&sr=8-16&keywords=gumby+dvd

https://www.amazon.com/Gumby-60s-V1-Plus-Bendable/dp/B01GX8ZONU/ref=sr_1_54?ie=UTF8&qid=1467846214&sr=8-54&keywords=gumby+dvd

[Gumboflexo]

Interesting.
I'm looking forward to another Gumby bendable, and of course, more Gumby episodes. September is right around the corner.
Bren, have you ever seen the large Gumby bendy from Lakeside, 1968? It's not made out of the usual rubber or vinyl material. If you're not familiar with it, I'll post some photos of mine.
Paul

[ghost]

paul,
the only large bendies i've owned are 2 slightly differing late 70s early 80s ones, one was stolen right out of our truck where he sat holding a cup of ketchup packets for french fry runs, my son was little & heartbroken about it.. lol
that said, i don't believe i've ever seen a large bendy as early as you're saying, if i'd seen one even on ebay i'd have at least saved a photo..? would love to see this :)
another interesting note for gumby collectors, i seem to be getting alot of people wanting to buy glow gumby http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/02/glow-gumby.html
i've even been offered several hundred dollars but turned them down, so keep your eyes peeled for them & snag them up while you can, they seem to be pretty rare, especially in working order..
on the new bendy.. i bet it'll be goo.. just a theory, then prickle with the rest of the 60s episodes? that would leave the blockheads, minga & possibly gumby's parents to go with the 80s episodes :D
well, that may be too much to ask..lol probably 80s style gumby & pokey, but for once i'd like gumby's parents!! :)

[Gumboflexo]

I've seen the Glow Gumby occasionally pop up, but they seem to have vanished. Thanks for the info.
I'll post some images of my large bendy this week. Stay tuned!

[Gumboflexo]

Bren,
Here are some images of my 1968 Lakeside Gumby Bendy, mint in box. It's been part of my collection for a while now. A soft foam rubber material appears to be used in the construction of this figure, similar to the 1984 Lewco toys Gumby, but I'm not sure. I photographed a typical Lakeside Superflex Gumby with the large boxed bendy for a sense of scale. It's huge! My snapshots could be better, but I wanted to get them posted quickly for your viewing pleasure.
Paul

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a113/1630fh/GUMBOFLEXO%20collection/Gumby%201_zpsirp39kdl.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a113/1630fh/GUMBOFLEXO%20collection/Gumby%202_zpsjxefhafe.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a113/1630fh/GUMBOFLEXO%20collection/Gumby%203_zpsdqsxfu4w.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a113/1630fh/GUMBOFLEXO%20collection/Gumby%204_zpsydnxaq8c.jpg

[ghost]

:D
you never cease to amaze!
yes, like the lewco packaging & later toys, but like classic lakeside, always paired up with smokey the bear, popeye, bozo & raggedy ann & andy.. i can see by the way his arms attach that he must be constructed as you say.. if i ever saw this guy, it certainly was out of the box & i wouldn't have guessed he'd be as early as 1968, now i know!
i have seen one large odd gumby with a moustache once, but i think he is a blow-up? http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/12/weird-gumbys.html

thanks! thanks!! for the l@@k :D

p.s. this 1968 superflex ad sign matches perfectly too ~
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1968-NOS-Lakeside-Gumby-Pokey-Bendy-STORE-DISPLAY-STAND-Sealed-in-Box-/311653928716

[Gumboflexo]

That definitely looks like a vintage 60s gumby blow up doll. Very cool, with or without moustache!
And yes, that sign promotes the same characters seen on my bendy box.
I wonder if my Gumby Bendy was a very low production item or a poor seller. Who knows, maybe it never made to the retail stores. Considering how long I've been collecting Gumby toys, it's strange that even a loose, damaged one of these never crossed my path.

[ghost]

paul ~
i notice a search of lewco gumby toys on ebay brings up some 1984 large foam bendys similar to yours, like what it eventually became after the 70s gumby drought?
maybe yours was an early promo that never really launched till many years later.. :o

[Gumboflexo]

Yes, great points.
If I recall correctly, the seller of this item said that it was owned by a Lakeside executive.
I will also tell you that it was not a cheap purchase, but it perfectly complements my 60s/70s Gumby figure collection. I had to have it!

[ghost]

i'll bet it didn't come cheap.. if my money tree were in season right now i'd love to display my bendys on that superflex ad sign/rack on ebay.. lol :D
oh! it finally sold :o
some lucky person..

[Gumboflexo]

Yes, I noticed that very cool sign/rack. I wish I had the space (and money) for some of the larger vintage Gumby collectibles.

[ghost]

i hope i haven't gotten anyone's hopes up for a new bendy with those curious links.. because i just heard news that there's no talk of a new bendy being made over at nj croce :(
so i don't know now..

[ghost]

today's gumby newsletter confirms sept 13 as the release date for the 60s dvd v.2 but makes no mention of a bendy.. although best buy & amazon still have 2 different slots listed as the same day release w/ 2 differing prices but no images yet.. i have a preorder on amazon so we'll see?
fingers x'd

[ghost]

p.s.
#wtfwednesday #gumby #wtf http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1965-Gumby-Head-Only-/252498127017?hash=item3aca0fa8a9:g:UwEAAOSwZVlXlmIu

:D ??? !!

[Gumboflexo]

Gumby meets Frankenstein and a chess piece? Strange, and clearly something I'm not aware of.
The color does accurately match a vintage Gumby, right?

[ghost]

the color is indeed right on.. lol.. honestly i can't tell if this person is perpetrating the worst ebay scam ever for $8.95, or they just really don't know better, sadly i think that must be it.. after this old ebay listing i just chuckle & facepalm ~ http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834525fe869e201bb08a4f3df970d-pi

p.s. it seems to be ending soon with no bidders.. if there'd been bidders i'd really be confuzled :O

[Gumboflexo]

LOL
Well, I suppose one can see it as Gumby's ability to change his shape into just about anything.

[ghost]

:D !! it's blockheads this time :D !!
check out joe's youtube where he responded to my comment here ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiH-11eSklU

yay! it's G & J !!
now i'm wondering will these be the g & j we've seen before? & if so will g be smiling or frowning like in this old post ~
http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/03/gumby-friends.html

[Gumboflexo]

Bren, did you get the Gumby series 2 with Blockheads yet?
Based on advertisements, the DVD packaged Blockheads seem to be identical to the typical bendables we've seen for years. Maybe the size is different?

[ghost]

hey, yes i did get it but i haven't had a chance to put the dvds in to view yet, i had to wait a bit because first i accidentally got a dvd only set :O (anyone who'd like an unopened one let me know, i'll cut a deal..)
these blockheads are just like the 2003 ones with the dvd i posted here..
http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/03/gumby-friends.html
i like g's style..
these are the only ones i've seen with g smiling :)

i'm wrapping up book month for september & thought i'd post the new set on october 1st, so check back! :)
can't wait to watch favorites like haunted hotdog & grub grabber gumby..

[Gumboflexo]

I'm really looking forward to viewing Volume 2. The late 60s series is more streamlined and technically sophisticated, but the 50s episodes still have a very special surreal appeal.
They're all great to me!

[ghost]

i've watched them now & i love the oddball episodes they came up with that are pure fun, often without dialogue or even a plot, like foxy box & of clay & critters.. but yes the 50s are special in their own childlike imaginative way themselves.. fun photo gallery & bumpers/extras ~
http://www.brensgumbyland.com/images/prema.png
:D

[Gumboflexo]

Bren,
Wow!
What an amazing image; the 76 Gumby bendy in different colors. Is this one of the photo gallery extras on the DVD? Interesting that it's part of a 60s compilation.
So cool.

[ghost]

yeah, i took a screenshot, there's also a gumby theme song that was never used.. :)

[ghost]

i happened to notice this moody rudy in box on ebay today ~
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Moody-Rudy-1977-Perma-Toy-Co-Box-Tongue-Manual-Gumbys-Friend-/192011082566?hash=item2cb4c09b46:g:~wkAAOSwal5YEmKa

[Gumboflexo]

Such a cool toy and so underrated. Apparently it wasn't promoted very well. The one available tv commercial looks like a work-in-progress, and I'm assuming it never aired.
I was thrilled to add Moody Rudy to my Gumby collection.

[ghost]

this one shows a little wear & seems to be missing the teeth, but it's still rare to see one come up in box with the fun manual.. i first saw that commercial in the 80s on the first fhe vhs gumby adventures & it was my holy grail for years until i ran into one in a little shop in santa monica, where they were made..

the manual is a blast :D

[Gumboflexo]

That's a great story, finding one in Santa Monica! When you first posted pics of your Moody Rudy, my first reaction was WOW. Not only rare but in amazing condition. When found, the flimsy box is usually in rough condition. I've also learned that a truly mint Moody Rudy doll has a shiny "oily" finish.

[ghost]

it's true in mint shape rudy looks shiny like this guy who's been encased in his plastic bubble ~
http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/11/moody-rudy-expressaflex-toy.html
i have 3 now in varying stages of exposure, the poor guy lower down in that same post is all worn & broken down & smells weird & plasticky..lol

[Gumboflexo]

Do you remember when Moody Rudy was available in stores? I certainly don't and I have yet to find someone who actually did.

[ghost]

no memory of seeing it at all until the first family home entertainment vhs (or was it beta? lol) tapes & ad came out in the very early 80s.. & that was right as gumby was getting a resurgence in popularity, i checked regularly for any available gumby related items at novelty shops & never saw it, in toy stores either..

[Gumboflexo]

I have a boxed Moody Rudy with a Spencer Gifts price sticker. I think that store existed in CA at the time,right?
As kids in NY, we would periodically visit Spencer Gifts and see black lights, fun novelties, day-glow posters, etc. Moody Rudy must have been right under my nose, but I never noticed it. Lack of advertising is the kiss of death for toy sales, so poor Moody Rudy fell between the cracks. He deserved better.

[ghost]

! spencer's ~ yes i always checked spencer's, still do, in fact i went to one just yesterday.. he may have passed by me unnoticed then too?! before i knew what he was perhaps.. back then we had a little place called doodah's that liked to carry gumby items, i found the large 6' tall inflatable gumby there as well as gumby gummy candies, etc.. but no moody rudy..

[ghost]

original gumby & pokey superflex toys on card on ebay ~ snag'em before they're gone..

hey paul, is this you?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lakeside-GUMBY-and-POKEY-Superflex-toy-lot-of-4-unused-on-cards-vintage-60s-70s-/332031233408?hash=item4d4e9a8d80

anyway folks are always emailing me looking for these so i'm linking here :) & tweeting it out to my followers..
good luck!

[ghost]

wow, several more!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAKESIDE-1965-unused-2-MOC-GUMBY-POKEY-set-bendy-figures-Super-Flex-cartoon-1-/232142160581?hash=item360cc042c5:g:GlgAAOSwXeJYJ9GU

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Gumby-Pokey-Lakeside-Super-Flex-Bendy-Figures-Rare-Clokey-MOMC-1965-/201699407484?hash=item2ef638b67c:g:6lYAAOSwXeJYDvfc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAKESIDE-1965-unused-2-MOC-GUMBY-POKEY-set-bendy-figures-Super-Flex-cartoon-2-/232142151166?hash=item360cc01dfe:g:v60AAOSw44BYJ83L

[ghost]

gumby news!!
http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2017/03/gumby-news.html

[ghost]

i just added a very cool vintage item to gumbyland! ~

http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2017/06/gumby-pokeys-car-the-flying-dutchman.html

also gumbyfans, i've been talking alot back & forth with an old friend, jeff whitman, of papercutz.com, he's working on the New gumby comic books coming out next month!! (& he's sending me sneak peeks! shhh!! don't tell..lol) will post soon so stay tuned to the lost & found..
:)

[ghost]

@@ #gumby #comicbooks #new #children #kids #books #graphicnovel #animation
!!!!!!!!!!!
http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2017/06/new-gumby-comic-book-1-collectors-item-issue.html

[ghost]

:D :D :D !!!
3 moody rudys in box!!!
the grand poobah of all gumbydom! http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOODY-RUDY-lot-of-3-in-boxes-1977-Art-Clokey-Gumby-creator-Prema-toy-Co/332334599880?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
also keep checking the lost & found in the very near future, gumby fans, as we approach the release of the new #2 gumby comic book!!!! cool things coming!!! @@

[ghost]

papercutz comic book #2 cover & new gumby toys @@ it's an all gumby weekend here at the lost & found so check back tomorrow too!

http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2017/08/new-stretch-gumby-toy.html

[ghost]

Wow!! check it out @@ ~ #gumby
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-Of-46-Jesco-Gumby-Pokey-Bendable-Figures-Vintage-Various-conditions/272950447541?hash=item3f8d1d4db5:g:~roAAOSwg8taFi0b

[Jim Haupt]

I was looking over your info... I have a Jesco (Hong Kong) pokey that has the mane over its head...(with Black eyes)...

[ghost]

i'm guessing that must be as jesco was transitioning to trendmasters? thanks for the note, there are so many variations :D

[Jim Haupt]

Your probably correct...Thanks!

[James Haupt]

Hello, I just picked up a lakeside gumby and pokey off the bay. Yes they got grime on them...Whats the best way to clean these figures??? Thank you!

[ghost]

i have always cleaned up my vintage gumby bendies with a mild baby wipe, it takes a little elbow grease, but has never reacted to the latex in any bad way so far.. & let them dry really well before you store them away, hope this helps!
did you know that some of the earliest bendies reacted badly to some of the lakeside packaging & plastic hats, literally melting it!

[James Haupt]

I did not know that fact...Thanks!
Ok a baby wipe it is thanks for the reply and info!

[James Haupt]

Before I wrote you and said I had a Jesco hong kong pokey with mane over its head with Jesco hong kong written on belly... But yesterday I noticed it also says real small Prema toy co. inc... all rights reserves on its hind left leg...

[ghost]

a jesco/prema pokey? i'll have to look through my pokeys to see if i have this variation! thanks for letting me know, there have really been so many different versions over all the years.. :)

yep, there's one pictured above with both of those marks & a gumby too! only my pokey has blue eyes?!

the group shot has a bunch of varying pokeys too..

[James Haupt]

Yes my pokey has JESCO hong kong on belly and Prema toy co inc"all rights reserves" on on hind left leg.. Eyes are smaller & black...

[James Haupt]

In your group shot of pokeys and gumbys. The furthest Gumby to the right. The pokey in front of that looks like it has black eyes and is just like the one I have here. Mane looks the same also.

[James Haupt]

I received my used Lakeside Gumby and pokey from ebay today.I cleaned them with a baby wipe as you said and it worked great! The Pokey is in real good shape as is the Gumby overall but poor Gumby lost alot of his facial paint but for $15 shipped not going complain...lol

[ghost]

that's great! you know i've noticed even some of the lakeside gumby bendys mint on card have less than perfect facial paint.. like some above, still inside the package, but they have no pupils.. ??

[ghost]

for any who hadn't heard the sad news ~ http://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2018/05/joe-clokey.html :(

[Dave Nadolny]

Hola!

I bought a case of Prema 6" Gumby bendables. Dark green, looks to his right. Nothing on feet. China. Item No 90299, TMPO #22950. Trying to figure out when they were manufactured, any ideas?

[ghost]

hey dave ~
do they have nj croce on back? like this guy ~ https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gumby-6-Bendy-Figure-Prema-Toy-Company/142815777041?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D502e5a48f0eb418b9512f4b88e847545%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D142815777041%26itm%3D142815777041&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Abb6601b8-6ccd-11e8-9c52-74dbd18002f6%7Cparentrq%3Aea96ef251630aa12455f817bfff3d50b%7Ciid%3A1

other than the anniversary/collector bendies the style you mention is fairly recent/common, say later 90s onward.. earlier ones in that style sometimes have jesco or trendmasters marks too.. hope this helps!

[Dave Nadolny]

Nope, but the box was being shipped to Trendsetters c/o Carmichael Intl. Trend went out of business in 2002 or so, so they are at least that old

Heres a facebook link to pics, but I have never linked like that, don't know if it works

https://www.facebook.com/david.nadolny.9/posts/10155601958326447

[ghost]

dave ~ that's interesting, i don't think i have any marked that way (also i don't have facebook so i can't see pix there)
a 90s run that i haven't seen?
i'll have to go have a look back through my bendies of that era..
;)

[ghost]

to update, the pix look to me to be 90s trendmasters as shown in one of the photos above ;)

[bruno trombley]

I have a gumby that has the cowboy hat 6 guns and a guitar .is it one of the first runs

[ghost]

bruno ~ you likely have an early lakeside gumby bendy from the 60s, the rarest earliest 1964 gumby bendy would have GTC on the back of his left leg.. you can click on the pix in the post for the larger size to compare.. generally the more rubbery/stretchy the bendy, the older it is.. & the cowboy adventure outfits were also sold separately :)

[Viv]

I have an unmarked Gumby and Pokey can anyone tell me what year they are from? Grandma left them behind and no one knows...

[Viv]

Email me for the photo Vievefox@hotmail.com

[ghost]

love it when someone has 'grandma's toys' ;)

[Gumboflexo]

Congratulations on 20 years of awesome visuals and info! The magnitude of your Gumby collection is unmatched.
Paul

[ghost]

thank you paul! gumboflexo :) & i still love when i find an old gumby bendy at a yardsale.. i may never grow up?

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Bren, I love your blog and collection! I keep referring to it to look at your photos and for identification! I have an odd question and you may cringe when I ask LOL but do you know a good touch up paint to use that would work on Gumby and Pokey? I'd like to do some photo shoots with some old loose played with ones and it would be nice to have some that the paint wasn't wore off! Also, do you know why the paint stays so nice on some on the cards and not on others? And if you have a lead for a collector that has an extra set of the Lakeside Gumby and Pokey that are really nice like yours on their cards that the paint is good like yours that they would be willing to sell to me, will you let me know? Thank you so much! =)

[ghost]

hey sally,
glad you enjoy the lost & found & gumbyland :) the problem you mentioned with the bendys on card was due to the kind of rubber used on some of the original bendy toys, it reacted with the card & the plastic bubble covering the toy, often you find them warped wherever the toy touched it.. i was very lucky to find someone on ebay many years ago that had some pristine unreactive bendy toys out of an original box, i've referred others to him over the years, but it's been so long he probably has no more
:( i'll look into it a bit more & see if i can locate him..
it's not such a strange question that you ask, another gumby fan who used to comment here, zaneloco, makes stop animation youtubes using old gumby toys & would relate.. i think you might try bottled acrylic to brighten up eyes & such, but i'll be honest with you i haven't tried it.. i don't know if it would adhere or react? i do know it helps to keep old gumbys in a dry place rather than bagged up air tight..
it's always good to hear from another gumby fan!

[Sally Kimmel]

Thanks Bren, =) I appreciate your response and thanks for checking for me to see if you can locate him. I'd love to have the Lakeside Gumby and Pokey MOC with the paint looking nice. I loved Gumby so much growing up. He was always the boyfriend for my Dawn dolls LOL and I had a crush on a boy because I thought he had a pointy head and reminded me of Gumby! LOL I'm 56 and don't have any of my childhood ones any more, since I played with them so much until they were ruined! LOL When I was in my 20's in the 80's, I bought an Art Clokey stuffed Gumby that is still in my bedroom til this day! =) I have some Gumby items, but not a huge collection, but will love him until I die! It's nice to find people that understand, since my love of toys like this isn't understood by many in my life. I wouldn't want to ruin the rubber and have Gumby and Pokey react to the paint and ruin any that I try it on! If you can find out for me from someone reliable, would you let me know? Thank you so much again and for having so much information available to help others. =)

[Sally Kimmel]

Yay! After writing to you earlier, I searched and found an old photo from 2011 that I had taken of loose Gumbys and Pokeys and I had forgotten that I did manage to save a Gumby from my childhood that wasn't ruined (has a wire sticking out on back of his leg), but still has face paint! Since I moved into a tiny place, everything went into storage, so I went today and managed to find him and started crying! I'm so happy! I still want to get some touch up paint to try on some others though! And find a really nice MOC Lakeside Gumby and Pokey that still have nice paint on them! =)

[ghost]

sally,
yay! i love a good lost & found story like that.. i am 54 & have a very active inner child, i still am excited when i find an old loose gumby or pokey at a yardsale for a quarter, (& i have a bunch of them.. lols) also i had the dawn fashion show playset & have posted dawn dolls here at the lost & found before also..
i remembered the guy on ebay's username & messaged him, will update here once i hear back, although it has been almost 5 years.. it is getting harder & harder to find those original toys on card in good shape.. but fingers crossed! :)

[Sally Kimmel]

Thanks Bren, I appreciate you checking for me! =) I think mine is an older 70's version and not the 60's ones like I played with until they were ruined since it's eyebrows are longer and mouth more like a check mark and the Lakeside info. is sideways on his back, but I'm still glad to have found him in there. As I got older, I didn't play with them as much, but still kept buying them.=) I was thinking I could use some clay on some older ones without painted features to take pics of them since I'm scared of ruining them with paint and then just take the clay off after I take photos. =) I just bought a couple of loose ones, but I wish I could find some for 25 cents! LOL I haven't been to any yard sales in a long, long time and our thrift stores here in California charge a fortune and look everything up online and put asking prices they find, not the actual selling prices. I tried to win one on the card with a mini one, but lost. The paint wasn't nice like yours though. Maybe I will get lucky and that seller will have some left! You can email too if you can! That is so nice of you to check for me! I am willing to pay his price! So let him know! LOL You have a wonderful collection! I loved Gumby, Dawn dolls, Liddle Kiddles and trolls too! I also love the made in Japan "knee hugger" elves and other old Japan and Hong Kong plastic Christmas ornaments from the 60's and 70's. Thanks again! =)

[ghost]

sally,
i've posted those old xmas elves & liddle kiddles here before, & the old trolls (we used to call them dammit dolls) i still love all the good old vintage stuff, if you're down in socal i can understand why you can't find any old 25 cent gumbys, i'm a socal native & we joke about how i cleaned out all the vintage gumby before i came up here to portland 15 yrs ago.. lols, & yeah the quarter ones are getting kinda rare even up here now too.. also n california is gumby country because it's where the clokeys have always lived & they have gumbyfest yearly in glendora, lots of gumby folk there..
there's even a cool vintage big gumby painted at one of the beaches down there i'd like to get a pic of someday..
so i heard from todd https://www.ebay.com/usr/tfh1963 & sadly he's out of lakeside bendys but says he'll ask around with his other contacts, so i'll definitely let you know if some are located..
fun talking with you, have a great weekend :)

[Sally Kimmel]

Thanks so much Bren!, I really appreciate you taking the time to contact him for me and for the link. I appreciate your effort, even though it was a long shot that he would have any left! There may be someone out there that has an extra set that they are willing to part with, if not, then it's not meant to be! I will have to search your blog for all of the other stuff you've talked about that I like too! =) I never actively searched for Gumby, just loved him, so guess I wasn't really collecting him, but always a fan and never saw anything out at the flea market or I would've bought it. Bought lots of 80's Art Clokey, since it came out when I was in my 20's. Fun to give as gifts too. I don't need everything out there made, but a few specific things would be nice! Those Lakeside Gumbys and Pokeys were the ones I played with, so that's why the strong urge to have those specific ones, since none survived. I remember crying when I was 5 or 6 when my nephew who was the same age threw my Gumby up on the roof at their house. My older sister that is his mom is 21 years older than me, so he and I are the same age. Her husband wouldn't take the ladder and get it down for me. When he finally went up on the ladder to clean the gutters months later when the leaves clogged up the drain, my Gumby came down with the leaves and by then was pitted and destroyed basically. It was always nice getting a new one, but I never seemed to get over the loss of the old ones that got ruined. The wires always came out and tore them even though I was careful, so my mom would throw them away. We didn't have a lot of money, so it was always a long time in between getting a new one for a birthday or Christmas. LOL

[ghost]

sally,
todd's been on ebay 20 years just like me, he may turn up something, still hoping..
i didn't actually have my own gumby bendy as a child :( but my first memory is of the show! didn't have much $ either as a kid & all i had was lost, i guess why my bucket list has been recovering my old toys.. your story reminds me of my ken doll, his leg came off & my little brother threw it up on the roof, like your gumby.. all those years of ken & his handicap, till one day heavy rain brought it down all bleached white & strange.. lols

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Bren!, Just seeing your message, since we've been having power outages due to the high winds and wildfires! =( Your story about Ken made me laugh! LOL =)=) =) It's nice to talk to someone that can relate to me! Thanks again for reaching out to Todd. It's a long shot, but maybe he will come across a set for me or even just a Gumby and not a Pokey out there somewhere! I could swear I bought one on ebay at one time in the past, but if I did, it got sold when I needed money after that. I wish I would've met Art Clokey. It's too late now. =( He will live forever through Gumby though! I didn't get out much and people I know have discouraged my love of toys as an adult.

[ghost]

sally,
i'm sorry your inner child has been discouraged by others, that's not right.. i know from my own experience it can be a source of joy lifelong! i never met art either, but have had the pleasure of corresponding with his kids joe & holly many times, gumby folk are always good people. i hope a gumby on card turns up for you (anyone who reads this who knows of one please speak out, lost & found situation here :)
they're harder & harder to find over the years, i only have a few myself..
most of my gumbys are well loved old loose .25 cent guys lols..

[Charlie Hawkins]

Hey hey. Huge Gumby fan here. Remember the 90's bendables? The rarest ones. Nobuckle, Fatbuckle, Thinbuckle, Tara. Now, I have a Fatbuckle, and I know the other Buckles were actually made, but was there ever a bendy Tara? I know about the Kubricks. I've got Gumbo, Gumba, Kapp, Tara, and the Buckles Kubrick style. I need a lowbelly. I got Tilly and Denali.
I need bendy Gumbo, Gumba, Kapp. They don't exist, tho. Right?
Gumby is so wondermous!!!!

[ghost]

hey charlie,
i think that tara bendy is a myth, i have never seen one! i posted about it over here with the clayboys: https://friendlyghost.typepad.com/lost_found_vintage_toys/2015/03/new-gumby-pals.html
i was someone who had hopes gumbo & gumba would be the new bendies included in the remastered 80s dvds #2, but in fact no bendies were included on that final set :(
have you been to my gumbyland website?
http://brensgumbyland.com/
you can click on any item there to go to details here at the blog :)
gumby love abounds here, thanks for asking!

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Bren, My inner child may soon be happier! =) One of Todd's last sets of MOC Gumby and Pokey should be on the way to me! Thank you so, so much again for connecting me with him! I don't want to get too excited just in case something happens during transit! I'm hoping they don't get lost or damaged in the mail on their way here. Hopefully I will be sending you a photo of their happy faces soon! =)

[ghost]

yay! :D

[Sally Kimmel]

They arrived safely, Bren! (I sent you a photo of them!) Thank you so much again for making this happen! I appreciate it so much! I still can't believe that Todd located another set after all this time and I was able to get them! (And that you or another one of his customers didn't buy them first!) I really do want to help you find something on your lost and found wish list! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D :D :D :D

[ghost]

sally, so happy for you! just look at these pristine old lakeside #gumby & #pokey bendys #lostandfoundtoys #vintage #toys & thank you, todd! check him out on ebay (username tfh 1963) http://www.brensgumbyland.com/images/vintage%20lakeside%20gumby%20&%20pokey%20moc%20nos.JPG
lost & found again, merry xmas!
(& no spiders! lols)

[Sally Kimmel]

Thank you so much again Bren! (& Todd!) Merry Xmas! :D I really, really needed them and still can't believe how this played out and how it worked out! You were a Christmas angel this year! :D And yes, No spiders! LOL :D I still like that one though since it's a different version than this one, even though it's not pristine! :D

[ghost]

:D you are welcome!
yes i think that other one you got might be one of the super rubbery/stretchy rarer ones too! also cool..
merry xmas all!

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Gumboflexo/Paul, If you see this, do you still have photos posted anywhere? Or are they private? I had tried the links for your Flickr and photobucket, but they no longer work. Would love to see your On card collection that Bren said is the largest she's ever seen! =)

[PK]

I’m moving and need to sell my Gumby stuff. Is anyone interested?

[Sally Kimmel]

I would be interested in seeing what you have PK. =) If you want to, you can email me at sallyraek at yahoo dot com.
(Thanks Bren!)

[ghost]

thanks for commenting here, pk, yes it would be good to see a pic of what you have :D

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Bren, Back again looking at Gumby markings, so thought I'd leave a comment to say hello here. I was wondering why some of the Lakeside Gumbys and Pokeys look sort of lumpy. They're not as bendable and Gumby looks like the Jesco Gumby so I'm thinking that they may be the last ones Lakeside produced? Yours here looks sort of lumpy too, so maybe that is normal and how they were manufactured? It's the one with the Lakeside marking horizontal across the back above. There were so many different versions made it seems! I wish I knew which ones were made which years!

[Gumboflexo]

Hi Bren and other Gumby enthusiasts,

The following comments are based on my personal collecting experience, dealer catalogs, ads, etc. and are not necessarily 100% accurate.

Gumby Super-Flex figures were briefly produced by Clokey productions during the 1964/65 period until Lakeside took over (65-73).

The earliest Lakeside figures are just like the Clokey figures. G.T.C was imprinted on the earliest Clokey figures and is sometimes seen on Lakeside packaged figures.

The first 1965 Lakeside packages simply stated “Gumby the Super-Flex” and “Gumby’s Pal Pokey.” Later in the 60s, “Another Superflex by Lakeside” was printed on Gumby and Pokey packages, as other Superflexes such Bozo, Smokey, Popeye etc. were added to the lineup.

The Gumby with missing red eye paint version just seem like sloppy production and is seen throughout the 60s. It’s hard to imagine a modern Gumby figure with those flaws, but back in the 60s, it was fairly common. Like all 60s Gumby figures, they still have a certain charm.

By 1971, the Hong Kong production changed the look and feel of Gumby. He had a more uniform look with a more durable polyvinyl consistency. The paint was clean and more precise. These harder vinyl figures did not bend as well as the 60s versions, but still much better than today’s Gumby.

Around 1972/73, the last of the Lakeside Gumby Superflexes took on a peculiar appearance with a smaller mouth. I remember them well and wasn’t particularly fond of them, however, the packaging is nice, with a more vibrant Magenta Gumby logo. At some point in 73 or 74, I could not find Gumby toys anywhere. I don’t recall them lingering in discount stores at reduced prices, so they seemed to vanish from existence.

When collecting packaged Gumby figures, keep in mind that it’s possible to see earlier produced figures placed in later packages. It’s also not unusual to see Gumby without any copyright markings on his back. In general, the earliest figures have left and right arms connected with a single internal wire, resulting in limited poses, something that was corrected in the later 60s.

Paul

[Sally Kimmel]

Hi Paul, Thank you for sharing your comments and opinions about the different early Gumby versions manufactured here with us on Bren's wonderful blog post. I refer to it often and have learned a lot from Bren and also from the comments between you. Your knowledge from your time and experience collecting for as long as you have been is much appreciated. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photo of some of your loose ones from your collection for a comparison too. I love seeing them side by side. =) Thanks again!

[Sally Kimmel]

Thanks so much for letting me know Paul commented here Bren; I really appreciate it! Merry Christmas Eve Day to you and Toxic! And thank you so much again for this wonderful blog post (and all of your others too) and for sharing your knowledge and collection with all of us Gumby enthusiasts! You rock! Have a Gumby Christmas my Gumby Pal! =)

[ghost]

gumboflexo! :D
thank you so much, paul, for lending your lakeside knowledge here once again! the 60s bendies with missing red eye paint has come up before, it seems like they went in the packaging that way, not that it was due to wear, doesn't it? & thanks for confirming that earlier molds/models turn up in later dated packaging, also that some have no markings! the mystery bendies!
this old post still gets regular views as the go-to gumby bendy reference so every little bit of info here is appreciated!
i only wish typepad allowed commenters to post their images.. let me know if the lost & found can help in that respect in any way, i'd be happy to devote a post & host images if you'd ever want to..
thanks again & merry xmas all!

[Sally]

Hi Bren, I can't believe it's been over 2 years now since I got those carded Gumby and Pokey from Todd thanks to you! =) (Thank you so much again for getting me in contact with him! <3 ) And the "spider" one! Funny thing is, that spider one is one of my favorite now! HaHa! :D I still have not gotten up the courage to touch up the paint on any of the loose vintage ones, since I like keeping them original. I think some of the poor pathetic looking ones that I've bought to give new homes to were touched up by some mom's out there in the past though! And....I still have not managed to figure out which version that I had when I was around 6 years old that got ruined when he was thrown up on the roof by my nephew! And even though it's 2 years later, through my research, I have still not been able to figure out all of the different versions that were made and which years they were made, etc. I have SO many unanswered questions that I will most likely not find the answers to! I have more questions now than I did before! HaHa! :D BUT...I've let my obsession take a break (for now anyway! :D). There is SO much misinformation out there passed on by collectors from people trying to just sell their items and I believe purposely scam people too, which is unfortunate, and has not helped with my research. I'm more confused now than I was 2 years ago! HaHa! :D BUT I believe I've learned a little more at least. I don't have to have all of the answers to love Gumby and be a Gumby fan! <3 Since getting those carded ones, I've gotten more and also freed some from their packaging HaHa! so I have some nice ones for photos now when I can find the time to take the ones I planned in my head! HaHa! Mostly I've been taking photos with the new ones when I've gotten a chance to. Anyway, thanks again for this post, Bren. It's a favorite of mine out of all of your posts that I've seen since! <3 =)

[ghost]

sally,
back when this post was younger we all kinda obsessed trying to figure out the old bendies, but even joe didn't seem to have all the details, that's when i realized it didn't matter much to me.. i never had a gumby as a kid, so i'm happy with any oldies i've acquired over all the years, you probably already have your lost gumby found, you just don't know which one it is? <3 also some ebay sellers will scam anyone.. i still can't forget that weird green wooden thing someone tried to sell as a gumby head for years for some ridiculous price..lolol (it's in these comments here somewhere..?)

[Sally]

HaHa! I don't think I saw the weird wooden green gumby head thing unless it was included in your weird Gumby post! (?) :D
And you're right! I know I do already have some of what I seek and was seeking and didn't realize that I already had! And I DO have a feeling that I already have the version from when I was about 6, but don't know which one it is! <3
The real issue for me with those scammer sellers is that collectors pass on the info. that they were told or read in the listings that is inaccurate! The worst part is that part of it may be accurate and that's what fools people, because it causes confusion.
I just got on Russel a bit for this, because he wrote something on another blog that I saw that he now knows is not correct, but the comment is still out there and a lot of people reading it may believe it! I have even read information in news articles that isn't accurate! I wish Art were here and his memory was sharp, or Joe were here and willing to go through Art's paperwork, because I know a lot of the answers are there amongst them if they weren't thrown out. Look at all of the clippings that Art saved along with the letters and drawings from fans, young and old alike! I really wish there was an extensive interview with Art about the toys somewhere out there! I better quit rambling on about it now, before my OCD gets triggered again and I start researching again! HaHa! :D