We were very lucky children. Just ask the neighborhood children who had the coolest toys and it was us by a mile. Not even a contest. What makes me so confident? Who else do you know that had a real rickshaw? Yep. It was an advertising for a company that made “Chinese” food – canned Chop Suey. In those days it was just assumed to be a culturally true food.
My family was in the grocery business at a time where they the grocery inventory was purchased directly from the manufacturers. Apparently we bought in quantity based on the perks for we received. We even had a child-sized covered wagon. While I don’t remember what company provided it, it was way cool.
All of the gifts were not toys for children. We had a contraption like a music box that fit on our telephone. It played the theme of a commercial for green beans, “From the valley of the Jolly (pause), ho-ho-ho (pause) Green Giant”. Did callers appreciate the jingle? I guess I’ll never know. I was very excited to get autographed photos of TV stars. They were from actors and actresses whose programs were sponsored by large companies that manufactured coffee or cereal or detergent. I am pretty sure that one photo that was sent by the makers of Maxwell House. I am certain that Lucille Ball personally signed the photo. Sure she did…