I love going through junk boxes as you never know what will turn up. This happen last week when I went through a junk box and found this a large spike fence. It really set me back for a moment as I had not seen one of these in 20 years. I knewthe item well as I had sold them!
In the Marx Civil War Playset amongst the accessories was a spike fence. Many collectors while they like the spike fence felt there should be more and bigger. Some one did not like it and decided to make a bigger one in plastic. The person contacted me and sent a sample. I like them and ordered them. I put them into a list and sold out. I tried to order more and the person got disinterested and diappeared. Until last week I have not seen another one.
I found out something after I had photographed the spike fence. When looked at the picture there was some writing on it. I used my magnifying glass on it and found it had the words made in U.S.A.
I need some help from my fellow collectors. I know some of you have my lists, can you look through them and see if you can give me a date when I sold them and a price. I believe sold them for a $1.50. Once I get that information I will update this post. I remember having fun laying them out in square and doing a battle before I gave them to my staff.
Because I sold out I do not think I have any in the master collection so this will be a welcome addition to the collection.
OK Paul, I accept your challenge. List # 28 of July 1990 Comment time:
One of the desired pieces from the Marx civil War set is the spiked fence or cheveaux de fries. Unfortunately, you received only one in your set. That problem has been resolved. T. Barncutt is making new spiked fences and they are great . The spike fence poles are about 2 inches long versus Marx 1 1/4 length. They come in brown, tan and gray in a nice soft plastic………………
T (Theo) Barncutt (or was it Barnecutt??) was from somewhere in California, I believe,
and was the creator and had these for sale for 50 cents each way back then. I corresponded with him often back then by phone and regular mail. After making this item he disappeared from the plastic collecting circle. I have a dozen or so of these in gray and tan. Why they were never big sellers is a mystery to me.
But your mystery is solved……..Bill Nevins
PS, Yes, I have every issue of your sales list. Before the internet “Comment Time” was always a topic of conversation among our circle of hard core collectors. I know that my friends and I always looked forward to reading it. Interestingly enough, list # 24 encourages you to subscribe to a new magazine called PFPC. Was it really that long ago??
Thanks Bill for the information. Once I heard the name Theodore Barnecutt it brought more the mystery back. He was out of California. He had a great product I would have carried them until I closed. Like you commented he just disapeared which is a shame. I did well with them.
Comment Time was designed to make the hobby more aware of the world around them. So many of the collectors thought they were the only one in the world. Comment Time was that lifeline. It let you know what was going on like you said before the internet.
You sold them for 75 cents……..Bill
I bought one of these from you in the early 1990’s or late 80’s: I recall they were made by a guy called Theodore Barnicut: they were a $1.50
Thanks for your response John. Bill Nevins has stated that it was $.75. I know if I had them today they would easily go between $2,00 to $3.00.
I have the exact quote in issue 28 where you offer the spikes for 75 cents. You also tell you readers to buy direct from Barrencutt at 50 a piece. and to get hs address from PFPC..
This is undisputible as I have the page right in front of me,
Bill
We have established that the price for the spike fence was $.75 in previous comment. It is interesting on second part that I mention his lower price and PFPC. If I ever get through some records that are bury away, I might find an answer why.
Hi, I sold the cheveaux de frise for .50 ea. and sold quite a few directly to collectors. Later, I raised the price to .75 ea. and sold very few. I still have the die (mold) and injector.
Theo
Glad to hear you are still around. I am surprised that people balked at the $.75 price. As I mention I had not seen your cheveaux de frise in years until a source got them in a collection he bought. I liked them and still remember using them in a square before selling them. There may be people interested in getting. I know I had sold some extra I had gotten from a source.
I bought tons when they came out . I had bought directly from Theo , he had misplaced my order , when I contacted him quite some time later , he was more than generous in adding a few extra to my order . 3 colors nice size . I had enough to share with a couple of my collector friends . Theo , at the time you mentioned you had some health issues that prevented you from continuing or doing follow up projects , I hope all is well with you .
Thanks, no health issues except the ones we all face 20 years on. Is PFPC still around ?
Theo
PFPC has been out of business for a number of years. Tom Terry its owner has been dead at least three years. Playset Magazine from Rusty Kern took its place. They will talk and take ads about reissues.
I believe admin wished to say was , Tom Terry had passed .
Thanks Chris, ZI have update my previous comment.
I know I would definitely be interested in buying several myself. I imagine there would be many collectors like myself who would be interested.
Ask the Admin. for my e-mail address and contact me….