Buffalo Dreamtop: part of the Tomahawk Toys range. Strongly influenced by my previously talked about love affair with cereal toys, as well as a particular present once given to me by an Auntie who resides in America.
I recount it now, having only just recalled this long forgotten memory.
At the age of around 10 my Auntie from America arrived back for a holiday to her home state of Tasmania, where I lived. It was a highly anticipated visit, partially because my cousin was also coming, only a few years older than me, partially because she was always very generous, and bought wonderful presents. But mostly because she usually stayed at the Wrest Point Casino, at the time (mid 1970s) one of the nicer hotels in Tasmania, home of the revolving restaurant, that, for someone my age, was akin to a real sized spaceship spinning in anticipation to take off, (as well as create its artificial gravity).
But I am wandering, this new found memory recalling so many wonderful icons from that time, and I think it is that very reason why my Aunties' present was so evocative to me in later years. Wrapped in plain brown paper, a curious long, thin 'stick' was presented to me amongst the other gifts, that I can now no longer recall. On opening I found a 'replica' Native American spear. Painted black, with feathers below a rubber spear tip, shaped a little like a flat Christmas tree, bright red, blue and white lines around its edge. Not an amazing relic, perhaps even a little politically incorrect nowadays, (heaven help us) but for some reason that floppy rubber tip, smooth black wooden rod and neon red and blue feathers seemed from another world, the same place the Six Million Dollar Man ran, where Apes ruled the planet, and cops drove Bright red, white striped Torino's.
