Mercury (toy manufacturer) Marklin, the company was started in 1932, by Attilio Clemente and Antonio Cravero, but its first toy was a gun produced about 1939 (Batazzi et al 1974; Force 1992, 5; History of Mercury 2013; Ralston 2009, 62). The company first began making toy cars just after World War II, so is one of the earliest diecast model makers preceding Corgi and many others and it was the earliest producer in Italy (Richardson 1999, 134). In Italy there was little competition for Mercury through most of the 1950s (Force 1992, 5). Early cars were more Tootsietoy-like with simple cast bodies, wheels
The Toy Hearts released ‘Femme Fatale’ in October 2010, which was recorded in Nashville earlier that year. Toy Hearts have toured through the UK, the USA and Europe and can count new rockabilly Queen ‘Imelda May,’ and veteran broadcaster Bob Harris amongst their fans. The Toy Hearts The Toy Hearts are an English Bluegrass and Western Swing band from Birmingham. Its members are Stewart Johnson (Banjo, Dobro, Lap Steel) and his daughters Sophia (vocals, flatpicking guitar) and Hannah (lead vocals, Mandolin, songwriting). The band cut their first record in 2006. The band is fronted by sisters Hannah and Sophia Johnson, who bring both