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| Festival Big Zapper |
| Exhibit #5192 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Standard (-) |
| Axle | Fixed |
| Finish | Painted |
| Color | Red/Gold |
| Packaging | Bubble Carded |
| Construction | One piece wood |
| Response | None |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1973 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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The 69 cent Festival Toys Big Zapper YoYo, from about 1970-1974, was a one-piece beechwood yo-yo similar in size and shape to the maple wood Duncan Tournament. It was manufactured in Sweden by Elfverson & Company as indicated by the small stamp on the yo-yo's opposite side. Festival Toys was a division within the Union Wadding Company, 125 Goff Avenue, Pawtucket Rhode Island, 02862. The red yo-yo has a gold foil stamped logo on one side, with gold stripe, and it originally sold for 69 cents. The tag line on the card says "…the semi-pro-yo…with trick string".
The back of the card show you how to wind the yo-yo, and hold the yo-yo. The card also described how to do two tricks: the Sleeper and Walk the Dog. Both classic, original tricks that were invented more than 40 years earlier.
Wilfred Schlee, Jr., also known as Wilf Schlee, played a significant role in the yo-yo industry, continuing the legacy of his father, Wilfred Schlee, Sr. Here are some key points about his contributions:
Family Legacy: Wilf Schlee, Jr. worked closely with his father, who founded the Cheerio yo-yo brand in Canada in the early 1930s. The Cheerio brand became immensely popular, especially in Canada and England.
Cheerio Yo-Yos: After World War II, Wilf Schlee, Jr. expanded the Cheerio brand into the United States, where it became a major player in the yo-yo market. The brand was so successful that yo-yo patches at the time often read "Cheerio Champion" instead of "Yo-Yo Champion."
Hi-Ker and Festival: Following the sale of the Cheerio brand to Duncan, Wilf Schlee, Jr. continued to produce yo-yos under the Hi-Ker and Festival brands. These brands maintained a strong presence in the yo-yo community, known for their quality and innovative designs.
Mentorship and Influence: Wilf Schlee, Jr. was also a mentor to other notable figures in the yo-yo world, including Harvey Lowe and Joe Young, both of whom are recognized in the Yo-Yo Hall of Fame.
Legacy: Wilf Schlee, Jr.'s contributions to the yo-yo industry have left a lasting impact, and he is remembered as a key figure in the development and popularization of yo-yos in North America and beyond.
Wilfred Hardy Schlee Jr. was born March 10, 1924 in Ontario Canada and passed away at the age of 71 on April 23, 1995 in Portrsmouth, Newport Country, Rhode Island, USA.
His dedication to the craft and his innovative spirit helped shape the yo-yo industry as we know it today.
Recipe
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Width:
Weight:
Axle: Fixed, wood
Response: None
Material: One piece beechwood
Original retail price: 69¢ US.
See also "Yo-Yo Secrets" instruction book by "Mister Yo-Yo" Bob Rule. | |
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