Debra LaValley's Blog

I was looking around the apartment and decided to take a photo of some of my “toys” aka collection. Pictured is a vinyl troll house and various Wishniks (aka trolls). My favorite toys that I can remember receiving were Wishniks and the vinyl troll house that I got for Christmas one year. That is the same year that I got a Polly Pocket Doll too. I used to play for hours and hours with my Wishniks, the little Polly Pocket doll and my vinyl Tiki Troll house. A couple years ago – I found a vinyl troll house on ebay and purchased it along with the two-headed trolls in the photo. I remember having a two-headed troll (black and red hair) that I purchased at the Giant Store with a dollar that I found. I don’t know whatever happened to my original trolls/Wishniks, but I can tell you that the originals made by Uneeda in the 60s are collector’s items. About 10-15 years ago – the stores were filled with troll/Wishnik remakes which were never as good as the originals. I remember buying Wishnik clothes and having a scuba outfit for one. Seeing my collection again – brings back many wonderful memories of creative play.

Above are some itemes that I purchased on ebay a couple years ago. These are all vintage as well – but not items that I remember seeing. There is a “Wishnik/Uneeda” cow, two Goon/Alien Martian type creatures – I think these are fairly hard to come by, and a Wishnik pony.

I certainly enjoyed my Wishniks. I have two on top of my printer’s box that holds various nik-naks in my living room. When I look at them – I have very fond memories.

What was your favorite toy growing up?