TOY STORY

The discovery of a 1967 GI Joe lunchbox at a Sioux City, Iowa flea market more than 20 years ago set in motion an entire career reconnecting people with their vintage toys and memorabilia.

“I remember the moment I picked it up, like a video camera going off in my head, I was transported back to the lunchroom at Crescent Park Elementary school surrounded by my friends, eating the ham and cheese sandwich that my mother refused to add pickles to,” recounts Joel Magee, 61 (toyscout.com).“She said the pickles would make the sandwich too soggy by lunchtime!”

Not only did that event trigger Magee’s pursuit of other forgotten treasures, but it signaled the launch of a career that has become his life’s passion: buying, selling and collecting vintage toys and memorabilia valued at nearly $10 million.

Magee also has the world’s largest private collection of Disneyland and Disney World vintage memorabilia and props spanning decades of Disney history. The collection includes items from Disneyland’s opening day in 1955 and two iconic park rides: Peter Pan’s Pirate Ship and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride vehicle.

Now living in West Palm Beach, Magee travels the country 100-plus days a year staging road shows for people to buy and sell their prized collectibles. He also manages the FXToys! eBay store (https:// www.ebay.com/str/fxtoys) selling a range of collectibles, from board games and Barbie dolls to posters and model cars.

Magee’s personal favorites? “Mr. Magoo, Bat Masterson, a rare Samantha doll from ‘Bewitched,’ a ‘Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ rifle set; there are many.”

In his spare time, from April through October, he races stock cars with the biggest amateur dirt track-sanctioning body in the country.“I guess you could say I’ve never really left my childhood,” he laughs.“I love toys and doing fun things.”