THE WALTONS:
Memorabilia

While the show was screening, several types of Waltons merchandise appeared on the market, some of which is quite collectible today.

1. Books

Earl Hamner has had many books published, including The Homecoming, the book which the first Waltons movie was based on.

Bantam Books published several Waltons books, which were novelized episodes of the show. There are books based on the following episodes:

Whitman Books published a set of six novels based on the series in 1975. Each one seems to be an adventure revolving around one of the six younger Walton children and they are very much written in the same style as the series. The books are:



There is also a web site about a new book which features published books which were based on television shows, including The Waltons. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest books which tie in with their favorite television shows. Check it out at:

TV Tie-Ins: A Bibliography of American TV Tie-In Paperbacks

2. Record

The sound recording of The Waltons Christmas album was first published in 1974. The Christmas songs are performed by the Holiday Singers. Earl Hamner narrates some Christmas pieces and there is a special guest appearance by Will Geer. The recording includes the following: The Waltons Theme; The First Noel; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Silent Night; Joy to the World; Grandpa's Christmas Wish; O Come All Ye Faithful; Oh Little Town of Bethlehem and Spirit of Christmas.

My thanks to Shirley who supplied me with the information about this recording. I'm told that it is sometimes available via the Internet, so you might be lucky.

3. Dolls

There were several pairs of Waltons Dolls manufactured during the run of The Waltons. Marks on the back of the dolls says "Mego Corp. Lorimar Inc. 1974". There were John Boy and Mary Ellen; Olivia and John Walton; and Grandpa and Grandma Walton.

4. Other Toys

There is a metal replica of the Walton family's pick up truck; a board playset of the Walton home which includes the family members, the truck, a seesaw, a porch swing and a rocking chair as well as a Waltons game.

5. Other Collectibles

There was a set of cards which came with chewing gum, each one with a scene from The Waltons on one side and a small piece of a scene on the other . Once the entire set was collected, the cards could be put together like a jigsaw puzzle, to create a big picture of The Waltons. As with many other shows of the seventies, there was also a steel lunchbox and thermos set, with a photo of The Waltons on the front.