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Tim has never had a last name. We wonder why and we'd like you to mull it over with us.

See, in 1929, this curiously mono-monikered icon began to crop up on all kinds of merchandise marketed toward child collectors--code books, stamp albums, Pie Eater pinbacks. And despite his bland brunette pate, half-cocked smile and otherwise indistinguishable image, kids bought Tim merchandise in mass quantity.

But why was he selling? Who did he work for? Where did he come from?

Tim was the original creation of Baltimore native and advertiser Kay Kamen. Kamen marketed Tim as a brand for hire, outsourced to represent the All-American boy. Tim, along with his sidekick dog, Pup, boosted local store revenue whenever sellers carried Tim code books and club patches.

Kamen's work with the Tim campaign ended when Kamen exclusively signed with Walt Disney Enterprises in 1933. But it wasn't until the early 1940s, when Tim teamed him up with the world's most recognizable superhero that Tim's real selling potential shone through.

When Superman adopted Tim, forming the successful joint venture, the Superman-Tim Store, local sellers turned their focus from the nickel-and-dime code book revenue to a more radical notion: they produced more premiums--pennants, newsletters and secret code merchandise--at absolutely no cost to kids.

Instead, they went after the parents' pockets, using Tim to promote for-sale products, primary clothing, in each club newsletter and mass marketed The Boys Outfitter mail order catalog.

Many sellers even offered Superman-Tim currency to promote family spending.


While you're pondering these lofty riddles, check our recent coverage on the eBay sale of a 1946 Superman Tim Club patch here: http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=4692&si=123.
e consumer interest in the properties all over the world," said Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles Marketing and Sales Coordinator Scott Braden. "It's for that reason we're creating high-quality collectibles based on <i>Alien vs. Predator</i>, because this long-awaited first meeting between these two iconic movie monsters deserves high-end collectibles that fans can treasure for years to come." <br><br>Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles' first monster offering based on the film will be the <i>Alien vs. Predator</i> Eight-Inch Plush Toys, which are made out of 100% soft materials, and include cute-and-cuddly versions of the menacing Alien (which comes with the creature's deadly second mouth), the battle-ready Predator, and the deadly Alien Queen. At the same time, the toy manufacturer is also offering the <i>Alien vs. Predator</i> <i>Previews</i> Exclusive Alien Egg, which includes a plush version of the Alien's deadly Facehugger.<br><br><br>Look for more updates in future issues of Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles' online magazine, <i>e-Spectrum Monthly</i>, which can be accessed online at &lt;A HREF="http://www.diamondselecttoys.com"&gt;www.diamondselecttoys.com&lt;/A&gt;.<br><br><br></div> </body> </html> proven immensely successful with moviegoers, garnering considerable