Top Web Links
(Back to the
)
Top Associations
International Top Spinners Association -- The "ITSA" is under new management, and from what I can tell, is in the process of revamping the web site and the Association. They are currently producing a newsletter and have put the May newsletter up on the site. I've always felt that the ITSA, and the web site, could have a great potential for being an excellent top resource. They do have some good top links and information. It seems many top Internet folk seem to visit this site's guestbook sooner or later.
The
Spinning Top's Friends Association (Associacio' Amics de la Badufa)
-- Based in Barcelona, this is the only major world association I know
of. Worth looking into. The site is in several languages, including
English.
Top Message Boards and Chat Rooms
Button and Strings -- As far as I can tell, this is the first top site I know of with a message board dedicated to spinning peg tops and performing spin top tricks. It also includes top reviews and more information. Includes postings from some of the "top" peg top throwers in the country. Excellent site!
TopSpinning.com -- Very similar to Button and String. Great Site.
Unidentified
Flying Tops -- A club for top collectors. It includes a message
board.
Top Commercial Sites
AB Art Glass & Beadwork -- Site for artists Ann and Alan Brodrick. They make artistic tops.
Toycrafter -- I started my collection with a Toycrafter top. You won't be disappointed with Don Olney's tops, plus, he's a great guy. He sells all sorts of tops, including a great wooden peg top. You've probably seen his tops in toy shops and musuem shops around the country.
ebay -- I was the last to know about this site. They auction off everything under the sun, including, yes, Tops! I bought a circa 1960s Duncan peg top through ebay and had no problems. I would advise caution, however. I'm sure dishonest people try to sell things over ebay. You really have to visit ebay to judge for yourself. I searched for "spin top" and "toy top" to find the one I bought. Good luck!
http://www.topnosis.com/ - Top-no-sis -- Top game developed by Ed Rubin, Hypnotherapist. Claims to help patients, and anyone, to relax. Hey, I've always maintained that tops were relaxing! Game includes a Tippe top that you spin so that it lands on its stem and a maze in which you maneuver the Tippe. (link dead 2/20/01)
Infinite Illusions -- Sells mostly yo-yos, but also sells tops under category, Spin Tops.
Les Tresors d'Agui -- Great site for buying French Tops!
Top Level -- Sells expensive aluminum and brass tops. They're out of my price range, but they are beautiful to look at.
The Source for Everything Jewish -- Sells beautiful, decorative dreidels.
Levitron -- The levitating top. Fascinations and Levitron Central .
Oriental Trading Company --- : Sells great, fun, small, party tops by the dozen! Great prices. Good place to go for cheap birthday party favors. Plan a Spinning Top party!
Spintastics : Makes plastic peg tops that are great for tricks. They also produce a video that demonstrates peg top spinning and tricks.
Duncan : The famous Duncan company is creating a new line of peg tops.
Watt's Tops -- Makes wooden spinning tops.
yoyoplay.com -- Sells yo-yos and tops.
onlytoys.com
-- You can find Darda and Brio plunger tops here.
Top Bibliography
Brian
Lemin's top bibliography
Top Magazines
Fiend
Magazine, The Magazine of Yo-Yos, Tops & Juggling -- From visiting
their web site, I'd guess that this quarterly focusing more on yo-yos than
on tops, however, I've never seen an issue and am willing to withhold judgement.
It looks to be a very promising magazine, especially if you have an infinity
for yo-yos.
Top Museums
Spinning
Top Museum -- Claims to exhibit 2,000 tops, yo-yo's, gyroscopes.
Never been, don't know anything about, but please let me know if you ever
go. I'd like to see it one day myself. For
an article that briefly describes the museum, click
here.
National Yoyo Musuem -- Although the Yoyo could at best be called a cousin of the top, it has been touted in the past as the "returning spin top". This site is very professional and attractive. I wish we had something equivalent in the Top world.
Top: Miscellaneous
How
to make a whirligig -- Whirligigs, or "Buzzers", are cousins to tops.
This site provides an easy way for children to make whirligigs.
How to make a top -- from the Science Museum of Minnesota. Provides classic top patterns and includes Quicktime movies of spinning tops.
Top Experiments -- MIT students study tops.
Some Spanish Tops -- This page is in Spanish (I believe it is instructions for a top game). Just provides a couple of pictures of Spanish peg tops (one looks homemade). I found the way in which the peg top is held interesting, different than the common American hold.
Hakata Tops -- Just a picture of a few Japanese tops. Like most top people, I'd really like to learn more about Japanese tops.
A Brief Time-Line of Western Spinning Tops
Yoyoing.com -- Includes links to spinning top sites.
Teetotum Site
and Dreidel Site
Please let me know if you have any questions or just want to talk about tops:
John Sandstrum at pegtop@sandstrum.com
Last Revised Dec. 10,
2001.