Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year from Chat Noir!


That's it, we finally ran out of year! Thanks everyone for seeing us through another one. Tons of new projects and stuff planned for for 2012.

Happy New Year!

(Chat Noir will be closed Jan 1 + 2, back Tuesday, January 3, 2012!)

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Guelph Mercury Readers' Choice Award


Thanks to all our customers and fans for voting in the Guelph Mercury Readers' Choice Awards! Chat Noir won the Bronze Award for favourite Antique Store. Not bad for our tiny new-ish shop!

Thanks again!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Boxing Week Sale at Chat Noir



50 % off all Christmas ornaments

20 % off everything else, including new toys, gifts, and vintage/antiques

SALE STARTS 12PM TUESDAY DEC 27 AND GOES ALL WEEK

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Happy Holidays from Chat Noir!



Holiday Hours:

Dec 25th ------closed
Dec 26th ------closed
Dec 27th ------open 12-6 poST-Christmas SALE BEGINS
Dec 31st ------open 11-4
Jan 1st ------closed
Jan 2nd ------open 12-6

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Reason for the Season



Star Wars action figure nativity scene with manger (mixed media, artist unknown).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The 12 Toys of Christmas at Chat Noir: Sky Streak Glider



The Twelve Toys of Xmas

Learn about aerodynamics and aviation the same way kids in the 1950s did with this classic toy, the Sky Streak airplane by Guillow's.

* Made of genuine balsa wood
* Rubber powered
* Easy to fly
* Not suitable for children under 36 months
* One wood glider included, some assembly required

$5.95



The Paul K Guillow Company

“They don’t make them like they used to” ... an often heard lament about most everything produced today, including toys. But there is a notable exception in the RTF glider world … the Paul K Guillow Co. Many of the Guillow gliders you can buy today look amazingly similar to those made in the 1950’s. Not too surprising when you consider that some of the company’s balsa cutting and slicing machines are half a century old.

Paul Guillow, a WW1 naval aviator, founded the original business in the city of Wakefield (MA) in 1926, with a line of balsa shelf model kits of WW1 aircraft. He also wrote several books in the 1930’s and 40’s about model-building techniques. During WW2, the company was forced to substitute cardboard and pine wood for balsa (a strategic material) … with somewhat unsatisfying results. Guillow also produced a series of target drones for the War effort. With the end of hostilities, balsa once again became Guillow’s material of choice for its gliders and kits.

Paul Guillow passed away in 1951, and his wife Gertrude took over the reins of the company. By 1953, Guillow introduced its market-changing Jetfire glider … the first packaged with high speed equipment. The Jetfire and other Guillow RTF airplanes were highly successful in the fiercely competitive toy glider market because of their combination of quality, low cost, good flight performance and ability to be easily “trimmed” and modified. These factors have kept Guillow continuously producing a wide range of wood RTF gliders, ROG’s and “stick & tissue” aircraft to this day.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The 12 Toys of Christmas at Chat Noir: Pinhole Camera


Now you can experience the science and fun of photography just like the first photographers did over 100 years ago. This simple toy works as a real camera and gives a basic object lesson in light and optics in a classy retro package.

A cool gift for anyone young or old with an interest in Photography. The 25 piece kit is made from pre-printed die cut card and we include full instructions. When finished you take real pictures with it using standard 35mm film. Glue and Film and not included.

Makes a great stocking stuffer!

$14.95

Friday, December 16, 2011

The 12 Toys of Christmas at Chat Noir: Magic Kit


Magic Kits in Guelph!

Magic is a classic in party entertainment and a fun icebreaker. his set is your introduction to several perennial favourite tricks that even a 6-year-old can learn. Perfect for the budding magician or seasoned partygoer.

Retro Magic Kit featuring 5 Amazing Tricks from the Ridley's House of Novelties range. The kit includes: Secret Taper Cards, Magic Rope Trio, Multiplying Balls, Thumb Tip Trick, and Miracle Dice. The magic kit comes in a classic styled card box with old illustrations; the classic games are a great way to enjoy good old fashioned fun.

5 Classic Magic Tricks Retro Set. Includes 5 classic tricks that kids and grown ups alike will love. Included in this set is:

* Thumb Tip Trick

* Miracle Dice

* Multiplying Balls

* Rope Trick

* Magic Taper Cards



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Lava Lamps in Guelph


We now have Lava Lamps at Royal Cat Records!

Lava is the core of the light. Our lamp is filled with our hypnotizing mesmerizing lava blob-atude. Lava Lamp measures 16 1/4 with a silver/aluminum base, blue liquid with yellow/green wax (or red/purple liquid with yellow wax). Stands 16 1/4-Inches tall. Includes bulb. Cool oozing motion. Great conversation piece!! $39.95

(Also available: 14.5 inch versions in pink, blue, green, and red for $29.95!)

Hypnotizing and Invigorating
The original shape of cool, the Premiere-Class Lava Lamp from Lava is just as stylish today as it was fifty years ago. With the slow rise and fall of lava-like blobs of various sizes and shapes, this funky blast from the past can hypnotize and invigorate. Use it to rev up or wind down, depending on your mood.

Lighting Effects Make the Space
Lava Lamp can add special effects to your study, den, office, living room, family room, dorm room, party room, or hang-out space. Jump start a party with the cool look of yellow wax globules floating in purple liquid, or use the slow motions of the lava to relax and quiet down after a long day of work. The eye-catching Royal Lava Lamp can also add a unique accent to built-ins, reading nooks, and dark corners.

Fun For Everyone
The well-known shape and trademark look of the Lava Lamp is bound to get adults reminiscing. Once you turn it on, this lava lamp will have your friends sharing their fond lava lamp memories.

How It Works
Measuring 16.3 inches tall, this lava lamp heats up with the help of a pre-installed 25-watt incandescent light bulb. Once hot, the yellow wax will slowly rise and fall, gradually turning orange in the purple liquid, creating the familiar retro lava effect.

What's in the Box
Premiere 16.3-Inch Lava Lamp with coloured wax and liquid, aluminum base and cap, and 25-watt incandescent light bulb. The technology is simple, the effect timeless.

Friday, December 9, 2011

The 12 Toys of Christmas at Chat Noir


The Twelve Toys of Christmas.

#1. Classic Sock Monkey!

The Sock Monkey is king of toyland, an impish beast with a loving heart of woolly goodness.

$19.95 at Chat Noir, Guelph.