COLLECTOR LOVES SHOWING HIS TOYS.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

For the past 38 years, Les Reed has been carrying on a family toy-collecting tradition that was started by his grandfather more than a century ago.

``I still have fun playing with these toys,'' admits Reed, who, at 70 knows a good toy when he sees one. ``I'm really delighted to share them - it would be dull not to show them to others . . . These toys need attention.''

At his mother's suggestion, Reed began collecting the toys after his grandfather, Art Church, passed away. He has more than 500 toys in his care, ranging from cymbal-clapping monkeys to eight-legged camels.

``Every toy has a story behind it,'' said Reed, a Simi Valley resident since 1961 who said he doesn't have one particularly favorite toy. ``When I take them out for display, I wind up with a lot of memories.''

Today at the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley, Reed will share his collection and will even demonstrate some of his more unusual exhibits.

``I heard about Les' toy collection through mutual friends, so I thought this would be a good chance to get ready for the holidays,'' Pat Havens, Strathearn Historical Park Museum director, said of Reed's program presentation. ``We have a broad spectrum of programs - I think people will really enjoy this one, too.''

Reed said he looks forward to bringing some toys to the museum for people to see - especially the younger audience members.

``The kids go ape when I bring these out,'' said Reed, who has done other programs around the county, including one at the Fitzgerald Center in Thousand Oaks for seniors. ``Some are more popular than others.''

Reed said he has toys from all over the world, including France, Germany, England, Russia and even China. Each toy was a gift from local residents and family members who have ventured into his toy wonderland home over the years.

``I have examples of children who used to come and see my collection who now bring their own children over to see the toys,'' said Reed, who hopes to pass his toys down to one of his sons, Dan, 38, or Jim, 41. ``I expect between 150 and 200 people to come over here during the holidays.''

As Reed says, each toy has a unique story behind it, including one toy from Europe - the Aerodome - a control tower replica with three planes flying around it in a circular manner.

``One day I was here at home and I heard my doorbell ring,'' said Reed, a smile spreading across his face. ``It took me about a minute to get to the door . . . When I opened the door, nobody was there - except this toy . . . That's all that was left, just the toy.''

Reed spends a lot of time these days doing his best to make repairs to his many toys - which have grown old over the years and have lost their mechanical energy.

``I think I'm going to have to give brain surgery,'' said Reed, studying his cymbal-clapping monkey. ``He just doesn't clap like he used to.''

Les Reed's program, ``Toys,'' will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Simi Valley Strathearn Historical Park and Museum visitors center at 137 Strathearn Place in Simi Valley. For information, call [phone].

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) ``Every toy has a story behind it. When I take them out for display, I wind up with a lot of memories.''

- Les Reed

Simi Valley toy collector

(2--Color) Les Reed of Simi Valley has more than 500 toys in his collection, which is a family tradition he has carried on for the past 38 years.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News