Deluxe Reading
Encyclopedia
Deluxe Reading was a toy manufacturer based in Elizabethtown, New Jersey USA which produced toys under several names including: Deluxe Topper, Deluxe Toy Creations, Reading Deluxe, Topper Corp., Topper Toy Group, and Topper Toys. The Topper Toys brand was most used in print advertisement and television commercials (children's TV).
For boys, the Johnny Lightning
and Johnny Seven O.M.A
toys were the most popular. For girls, the Dawn Doll
. Deluxe Reading dolls were sold in the 1950s - 1970's through supermarkets and are often referred to as Grocery Store Dolls. They were an inexpensive alternative to department store dolls, although of similar quality. The toys were packaged in large, colorful boxes that could be easily seen atop grocery store shelves (the top shelf is typically unusable and this sales gimmick was used by Deluxe Reading as a selling point to retail store owners); the large, electrically operated Crusader 101
toy car is an example of the strategy.
For boys, the Johnny Lightning
Johnny Lightning
Johnny Lightning is a brand of model cars originally produced by Topper Toys, similar to the hugely successful Mattel Hot Wheels die cast racing cars. They were not quite as successful, one major reason was that the styling, casting and finish was not as of high quality as Mattel's Hot Wheels...
and Johnny Seven O.M.A
Johnny Seven OMA
Johnny Seven O.M.A. is a multi-function toy weapon produced by Deluxe Reading under their Topper Toys toyline, and released in 1964. Johnny Seven O.M.A. was the best selling boys' toy of 1964, and was marketed heavily on children's television. It has a unique number of features, including seven...
toys were the most popular. For girls, the Dawn Doll
Dawn doll
Dawn dolls are small fashion dolls that were made by Topper between 1970 and 1973. The dolls were smaller than Barbie dolls, slightly over 6" in height....
. Deluxe Reading dolls were sold in the 1950s - 1970's through supermarkets and are often referred to as Grocery Store Dolls. They were an inexpensive alternative to department store dolls, although of similar quality. The toys were packaged in large, colorful boxes that could be easily seen atop grocery store shelves (the top shelf is typically unusable and this sales gimmick was used by Deluxe Reading as a selling point to retail store owners); the large, electrically operated Crusader 101
Crusader 101
The Crusader 101 was an electrically-operated toy car introduced in 1964 by Deluxe Reading of Elizabeth, New Jersey and produced through 1966. Intended for sale in discount and grocery stores, the Crusader 101 was easily among the largest and most detailed toy cars on the market.The toy did not...
toy car is an example of the strategy.
Notable toys
- Baby Magic (Topper Toys)
- Battlewagon (Deluxe Reading)
- Candy Fashion (Deluxe Reading)
- Charlie and Me (Topper Toys)
- Clock-A-Word Action Game (Topper Toys)
- Crusader 101Crusader 101The Crusader 101 was an electrically-operated toy car introduced in 1964 by Deluxe Reading of Elizabeth, New Jersey and produced through 1966. Intended for sale in discount and grocery stores, the Crusader 101 was easily among the largest and most detailed toy cars on the market.The toy did not...
(Deluxe Reading) - Dawn DollDawn dollDawn dolls are small fashion dolls that were made by Topper between 1970 and 1973. The dolls were smaller than Barbie dolls, slightly over 6" in height....
(Topper Toys 1970) - Defender Dan (Deluxe Reading)
- Ding-A-Ling Robots (Topper Toys 1970)
- Fat Sam (Topper Toys)
- Fingers Harry (Topper Toys)
- Funny Face (Topper Toys)
- Go COMA Swingers Dolls (Topper Toys)
- Johnny Astro (Topper Toys)
- Johnny Eagle Guns (Topper Toys)
- Johnny Express Trucks (Topper Toys)
- Johnny LightningJohnny LightningJohnny Lightning is a brand of model cars originally produced by Topper Toys, similar to the hugely successful Mattel Hot Wheels die cast racing cars. They were not quite as successful, one major reason was that the styling, casting and finish was not as of high quality as Mattel's Hot Wheels...
(Topper Toys 1969) - Johnny Seven O.M.A.Johnny Seven OMAJohnny Seven O.M.A. is a multi-function toy weapon produced by Deluxe Reading under their Topper Toys toyline, and released in 1964. Johnny Seven O.M.A. was the best selling boys' toy of 1964, and was marketed heavily on children's television. It has a unique number of features, including seven...
(Topper Toys 1964) - Johnny Spacemobile X-7 (Topper Toys)
- Johnny Speed (Topper Toys)
- Johnny Service (Topper Toys 1966)
- Johnny Toymaker (Topper Toys)
- Jimmy Jet (Deluxe Reading 1961)
- Lil Miss Fussy (Topper Toys)
- Lillie Doll
- Motorized Monster Maker Kit (Topper Toys)
- Mr Pierre (Topper Toys)
- Multi-Pistol 09 (Topper Toys 1965)
- Operation X-500 (Deluxe Reading 1960)
- Penny Brite Doll (Topper Toys/Deluxe Reading 1963)
- Playmobile Dashboard (Deluxe Reading 1961)
- Secret Sam Spy Case (Topper Toys)
- Silly Safari(Topper Toys)
- Sixfinger (Topper Toys)
- Super Helmet Seven (Topper Toys 1966)
- Suzy Cute Doll (Topper Toys 1964)
- Suzy Homemaker Doll (Topper Toys)
- Tiger Joe Tank (Deluxe Reading)
- The Tigers (Topper Toys 1966)