Featured is an unusual project that was issued under the trade name Built-Rite and was produced by the Warren Paper Products Company of Lafayette, Ind. The patent dates accompanying the buildings indicate a probably issue date in 1952. However, Warren Paper was founded in 1921 and began production of "paperboard" buildings in the 1930s.

Included with the Model Stock Farm set are two pieces of literature. One is a large four-page, bi-folded set of assembly instructions accompanied by background information and photos of other Built-Rite products. An introductory statement reads: "This illustration shows your Model Stock Farm as it will appear when set up complete, including the Chicken House, Brooder House, Corn Crib and Granary, Barn, Feed Room, Silo, Sheep Shed and Hog House." Thereafter, the complete set as pictured is identified as being constructed from two Montgomery Ward items - the No. 48-3129 Model Stock Farm and the No. 48-3128 Model Chicken and Brooder House.

It seems a bit confusing to have the items issued in two sets. More confusing is that all the items come in five boxes, plus one for the windmill, and were packaged inside one large box. It appears that the brooder house was packaged together with the chicken house and not as a separate item. The confusion is not yet over because more regaring issue dates will follow later. Anyway, the whole deal may have been a Montgomery Ward exclusive.

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James Balk started collecting farm toys in 1960, when he purchased an International Harvester Farmall 450 toy tractor for $2.75 for his newborn son. More purchases over six decades led to an immeasurable collection neatly stored in pristine boxes for future generations to enjoy.

And the retired farmer from Waucoma, Iowa, has become a fixture in the hobby. Many recognize him at the entrance to the National Farm Toy Sho in Dyersville, Iowa, where he's been a familiar volunteer for the last 34 years.

"Dad collected because he loves toys," says Jim's  oldest son, Roger Balk, who received that first tractor. "Whatever was made in the farm boy business, Dad had. He had everything."

A LOVE FOR TOYS
Jim was born in 1937, so by the time he was old enough to play with toys, World War II had created a shortage of materials to manufacture farm toys.

"After the war was over, my younger brothers got the toys for Christmas and birthdays. I do remember I got a Judy's farm set, a dump track and a sand shovel that I wore out. However, I got the softballs, baseballs,, footballs and basketballs. I never cared for sports. I was more interested in the toys they got, like the plastic Farmall M and wagon, New Idea corn picker and other toys," Jim describes.

After he graduated from high school in 1955, Jim joined the U.S. Navy, spending 15 months with the Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.D., then becoming a Navy Seabee. Seabees are member of the U.S. Naval Construction Forces.

"I spent most of my time driving dump trucks and transit mixers. That made my interest in construction toys when I got out of the Navy in May 1959," he says.

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