Archie Davis, an International Toy Collectors Association senior representative, holds a 1950s hook and ladder fire engine that he purchased for $300 Monday during the Toy Roadshow at Ramada Inn. Photo by Joe Imel

Shirley Saddler has never wanted to part with the tiny metal statue that held her late husbands coins when he was a child in the 1920s. But when the Toy Roadshow came to the Ramada Inn on Scottsville Road in Bowling Green on Monday, Saddler thought shed travel from Glasgow to find out how much a collector would be willing to pay for the bank. Ive got antiques galore in my house, she said. Saddler wasnt fazed when Toy Roadshow representative Archie Davis told her the that none of the toy collectors affiliated with the International Toy Association, which sponsors the Roadshow, were looking for such a toy because it did not have any movable parts. Theyre going to stay with me, she said of the bank and another keepsake, a tiny horse. Shed thought the horse was a toy, but soon learned it was a figurine made of pot metal. Saddler was more excited when she spoke to Davis about her late husband, Harry Saddler, who years ago made the first dunk shot at Western Kentucky University, she said. The family story about the toy and its previous owner seemed like an outtake from The Antiques Roadshow, which airs nationally on public television and features people who have brought old furniture, porcelain and other items to the show for appraisal. But make no mistake, the Toy Roadshow is much different. For one thing, the Toy Roadshow only deals with antique toys. And some of the toys can help regular folks make big money. When we say we have a collector willing to pay $500, well issue a check on the spot, said Toy Roadshow media representative Frank Ross. The experts at the Roadshow can purchase the toys because they have a database that tells them which toy collectors are willing to buy what. On Monday, a local Toy Roadshow visitor made $225 selling a toy Mobilegas truck and an old Pacific Intermountain Express toy truck, according to Roadshow representative Randee Harbert. Thats small potatoes compared to what Davis has seen some people gain. Davis once saw a collector pay $14,200 for a toy robot that someone had brought in its original box. He once had the pleasure of telling a woman that her cast-iron, toy horse-drawn carriage was worth $17,000.But there are a few things people should know before they bring their toys in to see what a collector is willing to pay. We recommend that people do not clean them, Davis said, because doing so can damage the toy and diminish its value. Also, Davis said people shouldnt worry if the toys they are considering bringing are not perfect. Collectors often will buy damaged toys in order to complete collections. But that doesnt mean you should throw caution to the wind when bringing a toy in for experts to see. According to Davis, a toy in its original box may be worth much more than the same toy without its packaging. While such guidelines are suggested by those associated with the Roadshow, they are not set in stone when it comes to old toys. We have guidelines, but when in doubt, bring it in, Ross emphasized. Davis said highly collectible toys often include movie, radio, television and comic characters. Hot Wheels cars, space toys and Barbie and G.I. Joe dolls are also a few of the toys collectors often want. The Toy Roadshow is being held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Thursday at the Ramada Inn at 4767 Scottsville Road. Roadshow representatives recommend bringing only toys made before 1970.