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TOYS We loved collecting things that looked like they wanted to kill you in your sleep Trolls have been a part of folklore forever--as bad and mischievous creatures who lived in caves, in logs, and under bridges. Trolls are believed to be good luck, which certainly has helped the sale of troll dolls--troll dolls can be found in houses, in cars, even at work, purchased with the hope that they will bring luck to their owners. However, starting in 1989, troll production started in earnest again, when troll nostalgia hit big, causing the second boom period for trolls in the early 1990s. They were found in nearly every toy shop and gift shop. Today, trolls are not as common as in the early 1990s, but can still be found. They were so ugly... that you couldn’t help but laugh, and when you laugh, luck follows you. And since, according to Scandinavian tradition, nothing bad can happen to a person who is laughing, Dam thought of his charmingly unattractive little trolls—which he named Good Luck Trolls—as chuckle-inducing talismans. “They were so ugly,” Dam once said, “that you couldn’t help but laugh, and when you laugh, luck follows you.” Not all Trolls are valuable Even the hair on trolls heads has been varied--mohair, fur, nylon, straw--nearly anything you could think of. The nicest troll hair--often mohair--was found on the early 1960s Dam Things trolls. Trolls in their collectible form were first created by Thomas Dam and his family, in Denmark in the 1950s. The first Dam trolls were carved in wood. Later, they were made of soft rubber. Most of these trolls are unmarked, so it is often difficult to identify trolls from any of the “clone” troll makers. Many of the clone troll manufacturers were from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the trolls they made were cheap imitations and of low quality. These low-quality trolls flooded the market in the mid-1960s, which caused trolls to become less popular—troll popularity peaked approximately in 1966. Trolls went downhill from there and became almost invisible by the 1980s. Today’s trolls are made by several manufacturers, including Dam Trolls which only sells their current trolls in Denmark. Nothing bad can happen to a person who is laughing... While trolls range from large to child-sized in various fairytales, their primary characteristic has always been their extreme ugliness. In their mythology, they often live under bridges or in the mountains, they spend their time tricking humans out of their money, and they’re always hideous. But Dam managed to take the usually ugly features—wrinkly faces, bulbous noses, oversized ears—and turn them into tiny, oddly adorable figurines. Some of the rarest and most sought-after trolls include animal trolls (trolls made to resemble various animals--lions, giraffes, cats, etc.) moon trolls, 2-headed trolls (extremely rare!) and black trolls (also very rare). Large Dam trolls (12” and over) are extremely desirable. In addition to the rare trolls mentioned above (animal, moon, 2-headed, and black), look for original 1960s Dam trolls in their original costumes, with their hair and body in good condition. Dam trolls had felt clothing that was often riveted to the body (very different than the clothing on the later Russ trolls, which often is made of synthetic fiber and has Velcro closures). 10 TIMEMACHINE June 1993
TOYS Many older trolls are found naked today because the felt was fragile and often disintegrated. Prices on trolls range from only a few dollars ($1 to $5) for late, common Russ trolls, to $200+ for rare 1960s Dam Things animal trolls (like giraffes and lions). Smaller, more common animals can be $25 to $50. Non- Dam troll animals can be much cheaper, especially if their tags are not attached. Small 1960s trolls can be found for $15-$30. $ Certain rare, vintage Nyform trolls from Norway can bring over $500 as can rarer 12” Dam trolls from the 1960s $ As of 2016, prices on trolls range from only a few dollars ($1 to $5) for late, common Russ trolls, to $200+ for rare 1960s Dam Things animal trolls (like giraffes and lions). Smaller, more common animals can be $25 to $50. Non-Dam troll animals can be much cheaper, especially if their tags are not attached. Small 1960s trolls can be found for $15-$30. Certain rare, vintage Nyform trolls from Norway can bring over $500 as can rarer large (12”) Dam trolls from the 1960s. Trolls have done police work The police department in Tarpon Springs, Florida bought 5000 trolls in 2003 and put them to work. The goal? To build relationships with the area children. “Say no to drugs” bracelets and other objects had been popular. Police handed out the trolls at Halloween and at various community events. Rastas, students, elves... The variety of trolls that have been produced is almost overwhelming--one troll collector, Lisa Moss*, has over 4,000 types of trolls!! There have been ugly, pretty, mean, strong, fat and skinny trolls. Some people think troll dolls are cute, others think them outrageously ugly. There have been Rasta trolls, and pencil topper trolls and numerous holiday-themed trolls (santas, elves, reindeer). There are ballerina trolls, college trolls, and “shapely” female trolls with boobs. Trolls have been made out of vinyl, wood, hemp, rubber, glass, porcelain and ceramics. I wouldn’t be surprised at this point if you are looking for a box in your garage that has your old trolls from your college or childhood! I wouldn’t be surprised at this point if you are looking for a box in your garage that has your old trolls from your college or childhood! Remember, though, all trolls are not valuable today. They were produced in the hundreds of millions, and only mint and rare trolls Remember, though, all trolls are not valuable today. TIMEMACHINE June 1993 10
Page 1: 1993 22 THINGS YOU OWNED AS A CHILD
Page 7 and 8: “The Golden Era” by Jordan Runt
Page 9 and 10: 20 O.P.P. Naughty By Nature 1991 /
Page 13 and 14: SEINFELD EPISODE GUIDE The Most Ico
Page 15 and 16: SEINFELD EPISODE GUIDE THE PITCH Se
Page 18 and 19: Little naked creatures with creepy
Page 22: TOYS The sheep’s wool used was dy

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