Dana Kenneth Johnson is a freelance writer, columnist, photographer, magazine editor, book and magazine publisher, and a longtime die-cast toy collector. Originally from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, he has lived in Central Oregon since 1985. Besides holding down a regular job, Johnson has found the time to compile several collector's guides for Collector Books, a division of Schroeder Publishing, Paducah, Kentucky. Books to his credit include Matchbox Toys 1948 To 1993, Matchbox Toys 1947 To 1996 - 2nd Edition, Matchbox Toys 1947 to 1998 - 3rd Edition, Matchbox Toys 1947-2003 - 4th Edition (2005), The Other Matchbox Toys (2005), Matchbox Toys 1947-2008 - Fifth Edition (2008), Collectors Guide to Diecast Toys and Scale Models (1996), Collectors Guide to Diecast Toys and Scale Models, 2nd Edition (1998), Toy Car Collector's Guide (2001), and Toy Car Collector's Guide 2nd Edition (2006).
He also produced Toy Car Collector Magazine, the official publication of the Toy Car Collectors Association, of which he is chairman. The club was founded in April 1993, originally as the Majorette Diecast Toy Collectors Association. Although no longer a fee-based club with a printed publication, some 550 subscribers still interact via e-mail and online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toy-car-collectors/.
Says Mr. Johnson, "I started collecting Matchbox toys in Lansing, Michigan, in 1962. I didn't care for Hot Wheels when they first came out. The wheel wells were too big, the colors weren't realistic, and I objected to the idea of hurling them down a slippery track to their imminent destruction. I was at first disappointed when Matchbox started copying such foolishness (Superfast, 1969) in order to compete with Hot Wheels."
After 1972, Mr. Johnson stopped collecting altogether. His interest in toy cars was revitalized in 1985 when he found and purchased some intriguing Majorettes from a Hatfield's department store, (now out of business,) in Madras, Oregon.
Mr. Johnson says, "My toy car collection now includes Hot Wheels, Tomica, Siku, Road Champs, Johnny Lightning and several dozen other brands."
In the past few years, Mr. Johnson's interest has turned from toy cars and to photography. His web now includes pages devoted to this growing interest. Begin your exploration of his photographic skills at toynutz.com/photography.html.
PHOTOS
Top left: Mr. Johnson poses on Skyliner Road west of Bend with Broken Top in the background.
Above left: Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), Mayfield Pond, BLM* land northwest of Alfalfa, Oregon, June 8th, 2010
Left: Independence Day fireworks 2009
Below: Cascades Panorama, September 7th, 2008 - From right to left (north to south), North Sister (Faith), Middle Sister (Hope), South Sister (Charity) and Broken Top
*Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are federal lands generally accessible to hikers, horses, motor vehicles and sometimes all-terrain /off-highway vehicles. Check regulations and restrictions (usually posted at the entrance to such lands) before entering.
He also produced Toy Car Collector Magazine, the official publication of the Toy Car Collectors Association, of which he is chairman. The club was founded in April 1993, originally as the Majorette Diecast Toy Collectors Association. Although no longer a fee-based club with a printed publication, some 550 subscribers still interact via e-mail and online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toy-car-collectors/.
Says Mr. Johnson, "I started collecting Matchbox toys in Lansing, Michigan, in 1962. I didn't care for Hot Wheels when they first came out. The wheel wells were too big, the colors weren't realistic, and I objected to the idea of hurling them down a slippery track to their imminent destruction. I was at first disappointed when Matchbox started copying such foolishness (Superfast, 1969) in order to compete with Hot Wheels."
After 1972, Mr. Johnson stopped collecting altogether. His interest in toy cars was revitalized in 1985 when he found and purchased some intriguing Majorettes from a Hatfield's department store, (now out of business,) in Madras, Oregon.
Mr. Johnson says, "My toy car collection now includes Hot Wheels, Tomica, Siku, Road Champs, Johnny Lightning and several dozen other brands."
In the past few years, Mr. Johnson's interest has turned from toy cars and to photography. His web now includes pages devoted to this growing interest. Begin your exploration of his photographic skills at toynutz.com/photography.html.
PHOTOS
Top left: Mr. Johnson poses on Skyliner Road west of Bend with Broken Top in the background.
Above left: Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), Mayfield Pond, BLM* land northwest of Alfalfa, Oregon, June 8th, 2010
Left: Independence Day fireworks 2009
Below: Cascades Panorama, September 7th, 2008 - From right to left (north to south), North Sister (Faith), Middle Sister (Hope), South Sister (Charity) and Broken Top
*Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands are federal lands generally accessible to hikers, horses, motor vehicles and sometimes all-terrain /off-highway vehicles. Check regulations and restrictions (usually posted at the entrance to such lands) before entering.
Dana Kenneth Johnson Photography and Graphics
Dana Kenneth Johnson, Independent Freelance Photographer
P O Box 1824
Bend, Oregon 97709-1824
541-419-6491
Email: DanaKennethJohnson@gmail.com
Primary website: www.toynutz.com/Photography.html
Alternate website: www.DanaKennethJohnson.com
Dreamstime: www.dreamstime.com/Toynutz_info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanaKennethJohnson
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DanaKennethJohnson?ob=0&feature=results_main
Web page created 03-27-2011, Updated 09-04-2012
Dana Kenneth Johnson, Independent Freelance Photographer
P O Box 1824
Bend, Oregon 97709-1824
541-419-6491
Email: DanaKennethJohnson@gmail.com
Primary website: www.toynutz.com/Photography.html
Alternate website: www.DanaKennethJohnson.com
Dreamstime: www.dreamstime.com/Toynutz_info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanaKennethJohnson
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DanaKennethJohnson?ob=0&feature=results_main
Web page created 03-27-2011, Updated 09-04-2012
