Jim Perrin, Prescot Kelly and Wayne Callaway are the men that joined forces 30 years ago to organise the LA Literature and Toy Show.What started back then as a rather small show, grew year after year into what it is now. The largest show worldwide, uniquely dedicatedto Porsche and vintage Volkswagen literature, toys , parts and memorabilia. Even more, Porsche shops and restorers in the wide LA region soon realised this was the ultimate occasion to put their company in the visor of hundreds of enthusiasts. This year that meant about a dozenrelated events could be counted in a sole weekend. Some of these events or open house on their own are even worth visiting LA.
2013 being a anniversary edition, with the LA Lit and Toy Show in it’s 30th year, the organisation had a lovely memorabilia made : a limited edtionPorsche 356A miniature, only available for 50 lucky people for a price of 30$, each with its unique number printed on it. The 2 giant ballrooms in the HiltonLAX hotel were completely booked out, and complete filled with an overwhelming variety of all kinds of goods, ranging from the most recent Porsche sales brochures up to the most unique factory posters and vintage sales brochures. And exactly as each year, by browsing through the goods on the tables or even the boxes underneath the tablesof the over 200 vendors, you might make yourself very lucky with a rare find.
The most remarkable sold stuff at the LA Lit and Toy Show this year was without any doubt a complete table, stacked with Vasek Polak related paperworks, documents and pictures.Vasek Polak was probably one of the dealers with the most influence on the evolution of Porsche on the American market, owning his own race team which was extreme successful for a long time.
So nobody should be surprised when I tell you that some good Vasek Pollak race stuff showed up at this table too. One lucky guy found between the piles of memorabilia even some handwritten correspondence (see pictures) between Vasek Pollak and Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Tripps, the famous german count and race-pilot who was killed in the early 60s when his Ferrari got involved in an accident at a race in Monza.As Vasek Polak related items are always very much sought after, some might think that it was not the real deal sold there. Vasek Polak Jr. visited the show and was buying lots of the memorabilia, stating that one way or anotherthe goods were sold in an auction buy an advocate before he could even lay his hands on it, which forced him to now buy this stuff back. While searching through the piles he told some stories and memories about the stuff on the table, sometimesin a very emotional way.
Tony Singer , Jim Perrin and Frank Barret all brought some great posters to the show, like the famous and ultra rare poster from the 50s with a drawing of a Porsche 356 steering wheel. This poster could change hands for a stunning amountof 8950$. Tony’s statement that he only has seen this poster 4 times in his entire career proves the rarity and explains the price.
The 30th edition was as great success again with over 1200 visitors and about 150 vendors. Among the 1200 visitors again a lot of non USA residents, with people from the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden…Prescot, Jim and Wayne : thanks again for this unique show and March 1st 2014 is marked in my agenda. I will be there!!!
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