Gene Scala has passed away. He was 73. His name may not be familiar to many of you, but Gene was an important part of our history. Gene along with John Bowers were the catalysts that start the Marx hobby. Gene and John bought the Marx warehouse which released thousands of mint in box never play with Marx toys on the market. Included in that purchase were many loose Marx figures including some that had not been released or had a very minor release such Jackie Gleason and Howdy Doody. These men took a big risk as they did not know if they would get their money back. I remembered Gene telling me once that they had come to Renningers Flea Market in Adamstown PA to sell some of their toys. A Tom Corbett playset was purchase by a young boy who proceeded to open it there and play with it. Gene told his partner John that they would be looking for this child in ten years to buy it back.
The partnership between John and Gene broke up and their inventory was sold at a series of auctions that have become legendary. I got meet Gene in the early 80’s. I was working at the time at Greyhound Bus in their local call center. I had a week’s vacation and I told my mother we would be going to Niagara Falls, but we would do it different than the normal way to Niagara Falls. Instead of going directly north, we went west to where Gene and John were located. We stopped first at Gene’s home where he welcome my mother and I and showed us his collection which had many prototypes including the exploding beer truck which was planned for the Marx Untouchables Playset. My mother and I had a pleasant lunch with him and his family. It will be a moment I will treasure.
I stayed in touch with him in those early days as he got other items such as the Marx masters for the figures and PL Boards. On the last one I ordered every picture he took of the boards as I told him, I wanted reference of the boards as they existed. I lost contact with him and not heard anything about him until I heard he passed away. He will be missed.
Sad to heard it; thank to know that he was so a great person and friend of yours and touch you with his treasures living on you great memories .And thank you to let us know what he did for us.Another hero of the hobby that will be remember now.
Sad news; by appreciating the treasure they came across they managed to preserve a big part of our childhoods and hobby that might have been lost forever. Sorrow at his passing but also gratitude for what he did.
Interesting story and sobering story concerning your friend. I know he is a treasured memory for you.
Russ
Yes it is an interesting true story, I would add that my mother was very supportive of my hobby as Laurie is today. I would not call Gene a friend just one of the nice people I have met in the hobby.
We are lucky to have the spouses we have!
Yes, I certainly am lucky to be single.
Haha. I’ll hug you when I see you next Ed. No worries. Wink.
Hey single is great, after 17 years of hell it was like being set free.
25 yrs with mrs Mc on August 4th. I would not insult you chaps to say we have not had our ups & downs, but we have managed to work through the bad times & enjoy the good times. She has given me 2 great sons now aged 12 & 10.5 . She is also the same size 10 as when we met 29 yrs ago.
Ed, I’m going on 22 years with my second; endured 7 with my first. One good thing about the first go-around was she helps me appreciate the current Mrs. W! A real keeper.
The 17 years was with my second attempt. They both made me appreciate the freedom of being single.
Ed, I can see your point – sometimes one IS better off alone. A wise man once said, it’s better to dwell on a rooftop than in a house with an angry woman.
Well, I got two great daughters out of the deal, so it wasn’t all bad. I guess the total experience left me a little jaded in regards to both of the ex’s, I’m sure it wasn’t all bad, just the memories.
I should have known the second marriage wasn’t going to work when my dad had a fatal heart attack at the wedding reception. I would say that’s a bad omen.
WOW
I would say that was a bad omen.
Yep, that was my take too. Both the WOW and the this isn’t a good start thought.
Married for 35 years to the best of the best. She still looks the same. I’m sure she has one of those Dorian Gray pictures hidden around here somewhere. Every partnership has it’s bumps. I’m thankful that she stuck it out.
I know just how lucky I am.
Found this while searching the web for information on Gene Scala. I just purchased two uncut tin sheets, and included was a letter signed by Gene, with an embossed seal dated 1993. It stated that the tin sheets were from his purchase of the Marx warehouses.
I’m a newer collector, and thrilled to have something from the glory days of Marx.
Welcome Jim
Gene was from the pre days of the hobby. They (Gene and John Bowers) bought the Marx warehouse and were making the market. Playsets were selling for under $20.00 at that time. I remember getting a complete Marx Zorro playset for $5.00 at flea market back then. This I bought a partial for hundred dollars at country auction. Go through my site and you get a picture of the hoobby and we will be talking about items as they relate to posts that come up.