My Snuffbox

 This specific post will be an aggregation of some cool facts, some that I have learnt first hand and some from all the cool stories during the nerd out sessions I have had with my fellow collectors. I will keep updating this frequently whenever my memory spits out something. What is ADLAR58? A recurring theme/decal in some hotwheels or matchbox models is ADLAR58. This is actually a signature of the legendary hot wheels designer Michael Heralda. ADLAR58 is Heralda written backwards with numbers for letters E and H, 5 and 8 respectively. Mike is a super cool guy who started his diecast designing career with Hot Wheels and then moved over to Matchbox. Even though he has designed  the decals for various models, he is best known for the famous National Parks/Forest Service theme in matchbox. Some of the rare models sell for over a 100 bucks on ebay.

Only very recently did I learn that Masters of the Universe Revelation also had a comic book series. This set of 4 books is considered as the Official Prequel to the "Masters of the Universe Revelation" animation series streaming on Netflix. If you're a fan of He Man (like who isn't?) I strongly recommend that you check out both these comic books and the Netflix series (2 season, 5 episodes each, 10 episodes in total roughly 27 mins each). The Comic Book Series - Quick facts:  No of books: 4 Curators listed: Kevin Smith, Rob David, Tim Sheridan, Mindy lee, Rico Renzi, Deron Bennett Official cover variations: 2 in each book, version A and version B Synopsis : The storyline is centralized on the journey of the extra-terrestrial creature called Orlax, which is carrying a super important message termed as the REVELATION across space and time, desperate that someone will hear it and heed to the warning and change course to thwart the horror that has set its sights on creat...

What makes a diecast model special? Why do people go crazy over some miniature replicas? Because it gives them a sense of belonging, something they can identify themselves with. Its very similar to following your favorite band tour across the country, watching every film acted by your favorite movie star and ordering the same specialty pizza you love from that pizza store! I once remember giving a total stranger who drove a black Mazda MX-5 Miata, a scaled matchbox model and that totally made his day! So, in continuation with my earlier answer, some people collect specific models simply because they dig them. Others collect models that are replicas of iconic legends. A good bunch of them collect everything that appeals to their eyes and make a visual treat out of a display. But what makes a diecast like hot wheels, that's already loved and collected, even more special? When its autographed by the diecast designers, the racers who drove the original car or in a rare case, the person...

This will be a blog that I will (hopefully) be updating frequently with crossword clues and answers that I have found intriguing. All these are from the Guardian Quick Crossword series, available Monday through Saturday at  Quick | Crosswords | The Guardian  and more recently from The Washington Post's crossword More tomorrow! Covered Walkway (7) - Pergola Civilian soldiers (7) -   militia Small mountain lake (4) -   tarn Mix socially with rich and famous - biscuit (6) - Hobnob Sieved raw tomatoes (7) -   Passata Dash hurriedly - coal basket (7) - Scuttle Miser (7) -   Scrooge Bubble slowly (5) - Gloop Slow C16/17 formal dance (6) -   Pavane (The C16/17 means 16th Century or 17th Century) Fencing weapon (4) - Epee Tyke (10) - Jackanapes Large Bottle (8) - Demijohn Incrustation that forms on teeth and gums (6) - tartar Secret place of seclusion (4) - lair Room where martial arts are practised (4) -   dojo Edict (6) - d...

I have always wanted to write a post about the differences between an STH and its regular version car. I was lucky enough to find the 2008 Lancer Evolution STH from the 2015 K case of Hot Wheels. STHs are Super/Secret Treasure Hunts. They are a much premium version of a regular diecast model with special Spectraflame paintjob, a high level of detailing, extra tampos and real rider rubber tyres. They are produced in very low quantities compared to the regular diecast versions. Let us look at some of the differences between an STH and its regular diecast First, is the difference in the card graphics art. The STH usually has some additional graphical detailing or liveries on the hood.  Then, the same differences are also seen in the actual diecast model. This STH has the MAXIMUM ATTACK livery on the hood along with the legendary TH symbol that marks this as a Super/Secret Treasure Hunt.  Then, come the paintjob and detailing. The paintjob is a unique spectraflam...

Got my hands on the Speed Machines, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini each. Speed Machines were introduced in the year 2010 and special features included a high level of detailing and co-molded wheels. However the batch of Speed Machines that were released in 2011, do not specify these on the card and also have the usual FTE wheels instead of the co molded wheels on the 2010 releases. Lamborghini Reventon Roadster Ferrari FXX An example of the co molded wheels and the special features listed on the card can be seen from the pic of the '67 Ford Shelby GT500 belonging to the 2010 batch of Hot Wheels Speed Machines. Special features listed on the pack are Hot cars, Special Wheels and Deluxe Detailing.

Recently, I finally came to own the super exclusive 2014 Collector Edition Walmart Mailin Exclusive 69 Camaro. And to begin with, its mindblowing. Other insignia include, Zamac Edition 2014, a Hot Wheels Collectors.com logoand the words, '2014 Collector Edition', with some beautiful multiple angle illustrations of the car on the backside. All in all, this is a collector's treat! Other features include, Gloss Black Hand Spray for the Roof and Hood bulge, Matt Black Handspray for the rear panel and headlights Silver hand spray for the body and Red Hand Spray for the taillights, all of which are detailed on the back card in dot matrix pixels, makes the reading a bit tough though! The card in the blister pack Close up Card Graphic and Zamac Edition 2014 Hot Wheels Collectors.com and Mattel logos The paint job details on the back of the card