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THE ALAMO 
Now! The Expanded Edition! Over the years new sets have surfaced, a few typos appeared, and bigger photos were made. Features Full Color photo pages of sets laid out to show contents or displayed diorama style, original vintage ads, vintage boxes, never before shown Marx factory displays and original documents, plus More in depth contents lists to make this the only fantastic, authoritative reference guide to Every Alamo Playset made by Marx. 

 MARX ALAMO PLAYSETS

  • Brand New! Same Low Price! 
  • 157 pages
  • EXPANDED EDITION! ISBN 979-8-88-136920-0

 Also available in Deluxe Hard Cover

THE MARX ALAMO PLAYSETS

- Every Marx Alamo Playset  plus Davy Crockett & Alamo Toys of the 50's, 60's & 70's from other makers, plus New Alamo playsets, Collectors Dioramas, information on the movies that inspired them, more.

Vivid and fun, informative reference work 100's of photos -- every Marx Alamo playset of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s including several newly discovered sets. You'll see all the boxes, vintage advertising, exciting collectors dioramas and the biggest setups of the Marx sets, vivid shap and full color images and vintage B&W, all here. 

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE - THESE ARE THE ORIGINALS, UPDATED AND FILLED WITH HUNDREDS OF SHARP VIVID COLOR IMAGES - FACTORY PHOTOS - ADS - 2 PAGE SPREADS 

YEARS OF RESEARCH AND VALUE

EVERY SET GETS LISTED CONTENTS EXACTLY AS RELEASED – NEVER WONDER AGAIN

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM ATOMIC AND NOWHERE ELSE - ACCEPT NO CHEAP IMMITATIONS

EVERY PHOTO - VIVID - SHARP - CLEAR  MANY '2 PAGE SPREADS' BRING THE ACTION TO YOUR ARMCHAIR

Gaze with affection at the wonderful cartons that thrilled a million kids, vintage advertisements, and images that so engrained this beloved set into the American consciousness.

  • Every vintage set is chronicled and shown along with boxes, instruction, figures, horses and accessories.  All the contents shown for a factory fresh set shown in one photo so you'll know, without a doubt, what goes in your set.
 Delves deeply into the Walt Disney Davy Crockett phenomena 
  • One of the last interviews with screen legend and all-around nice guy Mr. Fess Parker, who kindly met with us to answer all your questions about the making of the TV series and his reaction to the Davy Crockett Craze he started. Surprisingly emotional impact from a major Hollywood star.
  • 1960 John Wayne Alamo and the playsets that are directly related to their pop culture success. 
  • Every figure group, horse, wall and accessory is detailed; 
  • Highly detailed contents lists have been achieved and vetted by the most prominent collectors in the world; and luscious two page photo spreads
  • New photos detail these colorful depictions of a crucial history in America. 


This book is loaded with fully vetted collector information, 363+ photos from some of the finest toy photographers in the world so you can submerge yourself in the engrossing fun that is Marx and a world of vintage toys. Illustrations of boxes, vintage ads, instruction sheet(s), graphics & more.

But then, it’s not just Marx! Also chapters on:

-        Davy Crockett and Alamo toys -- OTHER MAKERS of the 1950’s and 60’s

-        Walt Disney's Alamo w/ epochal Fess Parker Interview

-       Shows very Marx Alamo playset & Header Bag sets

-   Complete contents lists for every set

-        Alamos of the 70’s

-        Chapter on incredible Alamo dioramas by collectors driven to get every facet correct and represent every figure dramatically

-        Modern Alamo toys and more. 

       You’ll find yourself going through this treasure again and again!

 

READ THE BOOK - SEE THE MOVIE! 

See "At The Alamo, our Tell-Award Winning DVD joins Universal Studios, HBO and Warner Bros. for this outstanding achievement DVD. See the Fess Parker Interview as Fess discusses the Marx Playset with Rusty Kern, and tells fascinating stories about the making of the Walt Disney Davy Crockett series. See all the great Marx Alamo Playsets and learn their secrets and why one differs from the other. Watch as we open a mint Wide screen,  boxed set and so much more! This is collecting paradise.   Over 1 hr + Bonus chapters, $19.95 + shipping.  Just click "Sellers Other Items" at right. 

- Lavishly Illustrated 400+photos & illustrations
- New Photos & 2 page spreads
- Every Marx Alamo playset -- 45mm, 54mm, HO
- Alamo Toys of the 50’s 60’s & 70’s by many makers
- Davy Crockett Toys of 50’s & 60’s by many makers
- Contents Lists for every Marx set of the 50’s & 60’s
- Collector Dioramas
- Factory documents 
- Alamo history & More!
- Our most definitive interview with Fess Parker, Walt Disney’s greatest hero
    and the focus of the 1955 Davy Crockett hero phenomena.


      WHY ITS SO EXCITING:

  • Updated and Expanded! 153 pages
  • Every Marx Alamo playset -- 45mm, 54mm, HO
  • Lavishly Illustrated 400+ photos & illustrations
  • Contents Lists Every Marx set of the 50’s & 60’s
  • Collector Dioramas - New Photos & 2 page spreads
  • Alamo Toys of the 50’s 60’s & 70’s by many makers
  • Davy Crockett Toys of 50’s & 60’s by many makers
  • Factory documents 
  • Alamo history & More!
  • Our most definitive interview with Fess Parker, Walt Disney’s greatest hero and the focus of the 1955 Davy Crockett hero phenomena.
  • Heavily researched Collector Vetted
  • HARD COVER EDITION ALSO AVAILABLE

  You’ll find yourself going through this treasure again and again!

ALAMO FEEDBACK

  • "Absolutely superb -- exceeded the impossibly high expectations your previous books, DVDs, and magazine issues created."
  • "Like a child, I first went through your new Alamo book admiring your outstanding photographs--they blew me away.  Then I savored the text--very clear, engaging, and movingly written; a true tribute to the Alamo heroes and to the folks who brought us the related movies and playsets.  I was grateful for your description of the multiple Alamo movies; I was unaware of several of them.  Similarly, your in-depth coverage of the many Marx Alamo playsets is a real boon to the collecting community.
  • " The pictures and descriptive information you provide  impressive displays our fellow collectors have crafted was impressive, inspiring, and intimidating (but in the best of ways). -Hal Hughes 
  •  “Just finished reading the Alamo book cover to cover…another outstanding accomplishment. - Michael T.
  • "You've done it again! Great read."-  Jim McGough   
  • The book is awesome..." I read your book Rommel !! " Thanks Rusty, will spread the word.- Rick Eber 
  • "Very useful Resource for years to come!"

 WE ARE GRATIFIED BY WHAT YOUR MANY FRIENDS ARE SAYING ABOUT ALL OUR 12 BOOKS ON MARX:

 

“A Triumph – an absolute triumph” M. Choquette, Castles Knights and Vikings, Aug. 10th 2025

“Spectacular!” – Dave Mahoney, Lake Geneva  June 8 2025

 

“Castles, Knights & Vikings  book has arrived! THANK YOU both so much!!! This book is just packed full of Information & Photos, AWESOME – EXCELLENT – GREAT  JOB! Again Thank You so much!     Best Regards, GKroll May 28 2025

 

Rick Mellon May 23, 2025

Book has arrived and it's Outstanding ... Great Job !!!

 

Stephen Moyano – April 12, 2025

The books arrived in perfect condition and they are stupendous!  

 

I have purchased a number of the playset books recently. As I continue to read through them, I am more and more appreciative of your "set-ups" and photography. I am not so much a collector as I am a hoarder. I have kept most of the Marx playsets that survived my childhood (and I had great ones). Now retired, I have been and am putting them on display here at the house. Your books let me know what I received, what I have, and when I got them—all information that is important to me.

My inner seven year old is delighted. Many thanks.  Peace, Gary McManus 

 

 

DUDE!! This book is a masterpiece.....amazing pics....killer displays on battle boards!  

An Amazing Job! April 11 2025

 

An amazing job! Thanks again -- Matt Cally   

 

Can’t wait to see the new book. All your others have provided me so with much info over the years. They are an indispensable reference tool for the collector. You do a great job for this hobby.  Best regards, Jamie Delson Jan 30th 2025

 “I am blown away” – Clark Haberman aka Billy Hill re “Castles” Jan 26, 2025

 "What a fantastic treasure trove of playset info, display and artistry... I am truly blown away... Many, many thanks

 

Thank you! There are so many great playsets and I cannot afford and/or do not have room for them.  If I cannot own them, at least I can get a GREAT book about them.So I am delighted to see another GREAT book from you! Best, Rick Kelsey

Have finished reading both volumes of the Louis Marx story for the 2nd time!  I'm very pleased with the experience! Thanks for taking the time, effort and expense to publish these books (along with Playset Magazine). -Jeff Smith, Omaha

I just finished Volume II of your wonderful book and I had to sit down and tell you how much I enjoyed reading them both. Since becoming a playset collector after 10 years of collecting toy trains in the mid 1990's, I had always heard bits and pieces of the Louis Marx and Company story and of its demise to Quaker Oats but your definitive work of what really happened from beginning to end was truly facinating.

You thanked all the Marx Men at the end of the book for their work and dedication to producing the toys of our youth but in this email I would like to thank you for bringing the story and history of Louis Marx alive in these pages. These books are a must read for any toy playset collector and these two volumes occupy a valued place in my toy library of reference books, right next to PLAYSET MAGAZINE. - 
Dan Palaschak

 I received my copy of Vol. 1 of Marx: Toy Kings. In two nights I read it cover to cover, not being able to put it down. Having read every issue of PFPC and PM many times, I thought I was already well-informed , but I was astounded at how much new information was revealed. A truly outstanding book. I salute you on a fantastic effort on every level. Having watched the TV program Mad Men, I could not help but think of the show when reading about the Marx office at work. Not a totally similar situation, but enough to recall a common era. More to the point, the book was excellent, and I ca't wait to read the next volume. Regards, JOHN TITONE, Burlington NJ

 Received  the order yesterday. Everything was packed so nicely and arrived in great shape! Love what you and Kathy do. Thanks so much!  Tom Howard

I just want to thank you for the exceptional job you did packing and shipping my order!  It finally arrived today, yes, today. You shipped it incredibly prompt and fast all the way back on November 4; but this is what I meant about our USPS delivery being terrible. In this case, the package was routed way off course from the usual postal deliveries we get out of the St Paul/Minneapolis shipping hub.

So with all this time in transit, I was a little worried about how well it was packed. But when I saw the amazing job you did in packing my order, I can see that the postal service was the only thing for me to be concerned about. Because you did a fantastic job, solidly packing my order and even adding layering to ensure the contents were stable inside the box - magnificent! 

And beyond that, it was all those little touches. . . from the handwritten note - to the wrapping of the books with crepe paper and little stickers, delightful touches  little touches   which made even mundane things, like opening the box, something that brought a smile to our faces. 

Well, rest assured I will be checking in very soon with another order. Because, not only are your books and DVDs amazing in their own right, but the care and creativity in your shipping made this a true pleasure in doing business with you!  - All Best!   Anthony

I just wanted to contact you and say how much I appreciate the playset books I purchased.  I purchased your Fort Apache, Civil War and Battleground books.  They are fantastic and have brought up a lot of great memories.  Playsets were one of my favorite toys growing up.  I had several sets - Roy Rogers, Fort Apache, Civil War and Battleground.  Like many of my generation, my mother got rid of all of my playsets while I was gone to college.  I have always wanted to replace them and have collected several sets and soldiers over the years.  But I couldn't remember exactly which playsets I had.

Your books provide so much insight into the Marx playsets and will help me identify the sets I had. I can tell a lot of work and effort went into those books. – Thanks!

Since I purchased the books through Ebay, my comments were limited to 80 characters.  That wasn't enough which is why I am writing this note. Take care and thanks a lot. Rich Schaeffer

 I am enjoying your new Battleground book I bought from you..  I look forward to part 2 of your book! Great Read M. Fredericks

I could fill a book the size of War and Peace with how much I loved your book, the great photos and detailed lists.  I had never really seen a Marine Beachhead set that came alive like your artwork.  Would make a fascinating photo of the four LCVPs heading towards the Vacuform that really does look like an island from a distance. The thing I really loved was getting to see what standing firing Marines would've looked like (wonder why they used Army buckle top boots instead of leggings or late 50s boots?) - James Peter Young

 Received it fine today. Your books, DVDs and magazines have really put a professional touch on our hobby. Thanks very much. Kerry

 I received my Battleground and Combat sets book - I can only say it is absolutely wondrous! You guys are amazing! The hobby is goin' strong because of all your work and efforts. We all truly appreciate it! And also, thank you Kathy for sending another copy to replace my AWOL book. You guys are the best! - Terry Isbell 

The new book is over the top packed with so much information that it is still unbelievable, You have truly out done yourselves.  - Dan McLean (Toymiester) sends.

You've outdone yourself- the book is spectacular! Also please let Rick know that I was very impressed with all his contributions- truly a labor of love.-        Jim McGough

I have all of your books, but this one is by far the BEST ONE you have done.  The information and the photo are great, and the subject has now been covered perfectly.  This is my main interest in Marx collecting, so I must say, that this book is a must have for anyone interested in the WWII era of Marx playsets. Congratulations on a supreme effort on your part for finally putting all this in a well documented and highly informative book - Ron Angleton 

I’ve been a serious collector of original Civil War artifacts for over 45 years, and have learned how to tell good relics from items that were repaired or reproduced. Although the monetary stakes are lower in playset collecting, the authentication challenge is just as daunting.  Your books and videos have been invaluable in verifying the claims of the eBay sellers on the three playsets that I have acquired to date. I plan to subscribe to your magazine so I can learn the good dealers, as well! Mike

 

EBay asked me for a review of your Fort Apache book.  I sent them the following 5-star rating: Rusty and Kathy Kern have produced an outstanding reference that all collectors of playsets, and all Baby Boomers, will want to buy and study!  Lavishly illustrated with color photos of the many varieties of the Marx Fort Apache playset, the book also includes copies of vintage advertisements and descriptions in the Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs. The book catalogs all known variations, noting when changes were first introduced in the figures depicting Cavalry defenders and Native American attackers, as well as the building, stockade, block houses and accessories. Of particular value, the book includes an inventory of the contents of mint playsets and even the original Marx parts lists. This information is particularly important to those shopping to buy a playset, because unscrupulous eBay sellers routinely try to "complete" the playsets they acquire in estate and garage sales by adding components that do not belong, in a misguided effort to enhance their sales prospect. But a reader of the Kern Fort Apache book will be appropriately warned about details to watch for.  For example, a crooked horseshoe on the front door of a lithographed Fort Apache cabin indicates the metal building was produced in 1960 and later; it is an incorrect replacement for a missing cabin in a 1952-59 playset. Reading the Kern Marx Fort Apache book is necessary preparation for forays into this danger-laden market place. Your fan, Mike