Mr Punchs Shop : Novelty Toys : Wind-Up : Wind-Up - Tinplate
| | |  | Pre-War German Blomer & Schüler Tinplate W/U 'Jumbo' Elephant(Reference #09-12-18)
 Blomer & Schüler started making mechanical tinplate toys in 1930, and the first item they introduced was a walking elephant named 'Jumbo'. Such was the runaway success of the toy that the company decided to use 'Jumbo' as its trademark. This is an absolutely classic tinplate toy, and this example is in excellent condition. 'Jumbo' stands 3.5" tall, and his lithography is still bright and shiny. He even still has his plaited cord tail - a feature that is often missing. Wind him up (a key is provided) and he lumbers along in a most elephant-like way. The patent marks on both the toy and the box indicate that he was made before WWII. The box is complete and intact, but does suffer from slight tearing, scuffing and paper loss. However, it's in pretty remarkable condition for its age. If you could only acquire one German tinplate mechanical toy, then this would be the one you'd choose.
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| Pre-war German Tinplate W/U Negro Porter(Reference #8-11-46)
Standing an impressive 7.5" tall, this unusual and extremely attractive toy is marked MADE IN GERMANY. It represents a very nattily dressed negro porter carrying four bunches of bananas. The toy is equipped with a strong clockwork motor which is in full working order (but please note that a key is not provided). When wound, the porter moves along at an impressive pace. As you would expect of a toy of this age, it does show some signs of wear which are probably most evident to the arms and the feet. Overall, though, the toy is best described as having an attractive patina of age. This porter would make an absolutely stunning addition to any collection of negro memorabilia.
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|  | 1950s Japanese Tin W/U Rollover Cat(Reference #8-11-15)
Made in Japan in the 1950s, this attractively lithographed tinplate and wind-up cat is a direct copy of a toy made by Kohler of Germany and Joustra of France. That probably explains why the quality of the lithography is so superb. Measuring 4" long, the cat is in very good condition and full working order. When wound (but please note that a key is not supplied), the cat moves round in a circle, rolls over, and then rights itself in the same way as a cat playing with a ball in real life would. In fact, mechanically, this version is far more effective than either the German or the French one, perhaps because the ball is made of wood and is significantly smaller and lighter than in the other versions. The lithography is particularly attractive and is in good order, with just minor scuffing, marking, and print loss, and slight scuffing to the tail. Whether you're a fan of cats or of novelty toys, this could well be the item for you.
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| 1970s Boxed Japanese Yone Tin/Plastic W/U Fishing Boy(Reference #6-6-55)
Made by Yone in Japan in the 1970s, this is a toy with serious historical antecedents, examples of it having been made by Georg Fischer in the 1920s, and Joustra and Mettoy in the 1950s. This Yone version is made of plastic and tinplate, and stands 4" tall. It is in full working order, but please note that a key is not provided. It works in the same way as all the other versions ie the fishing line with the fish on the end of it keeps getting caught on the pole with the NO FISHING sign on it as the boy revolves. The line winds and unwinds until the clockwork motor runs down. Both the toy and the box are in absolutely excellent condition - without any defects to report. (J) US$44.00
Price: £22.00 |  | |
|  | 1960s Japanese TN Box for Santa Claus Tin W/U Toy(Reference #4-11-27)
On offer here is an original cardboard box for a tinplate and wind-up Santa Claus toy made by Nomura Toys (TN) of Japan in the 1960s. The box measures 3" x 4.75" x 2" and is very attractively printed with an illustration of Santa ringing his bell and holding a sign that proclaims MERRY CHRISTMAS. It is in very good condition, with only very slight scuffing to the edges and corners. If you already own this Santa Claus toy without the box, then here's an opportunity to significantly upgrade the toy and its value. (WR) US$50.00
Price: £25.00 | |
| 1940s US Zone German Tin W/U Hopping Frog(Reference #12-7-3xx)
Kohler of Germany made this tinplate and wind-up hopping frog in the US zone between 1948 and 1952. The frog measures 2" long, is brightly lithographed, and in full working order (but please note that a key is not provided). When wound, he hops about energetically. The frog has some surface scuffing to both the top and bottom of his body, and print loss to the underside of his legs, but this is not visible when the toy is in action. Overall, the frog is in very acceptable condition for a toy of this vintage. (#) US$44.00
Price: £22.00 |  | |
|  | 1948 Arnold Germany Tin W/U Bobby Cyclist(Reference #8-2-18)
Arnold made this tinplate Bobby cyclist in the US zone of Germany during the period 1948 to 1952. The monkey is exquisitely printed, and unusually has both his two ears (one or both are often missing). He measures 3.5 inches long, and when wound should pedal furiously round, changing direction as he goes (please note that a key is not supplied). Unfortunately he does not currently work, as he will not wind up, and we have not tried to identify the exact nature of the problem. However, it is a very nice toy, and even not working is an attractive display piece. He could also be a useful source of spares for a working version missing ears, arms or wheels etc, and is priced accordingly. The lithography is generally good except for some wear to the fez and wheel rims. (WR) US$210.00
Price: £105.00 | |
| 1950s French Tin W/U Rollover Cat(Reference #03-2-15)
Made by Joustra of France in the 1950s, this attractively lithographed tinplate and wind-up cat is a direct copy of a toy made by Kohler of Germany. That probably explains why the quality of the lithography is so superb. Measuring 4 inches long, the cat is in very good condition and full working order. When wound (but please note that a key is not supplied), the cat moves round in a circle, rolls over, and then rights itself in the same way as a cat playing with a ball in real life would. Whether you're a fan of cats or of novelty toys, this could well be the item for you. (#) US$118.00
Price: £59.00 |  | |
|  | 1970s Chinese Tin/Plastic W/U Swan and Boy(Reference #01-7-6q)
Made in China in the 1970s and not being reproduced currently, this delightful toy consists of a lithographed tinplate and wind-up swan being ridden by a plastic boy doll with jointed arms. The toy stands 5.5 inches high in total. It is in very good condition and full working order (but please note that a key is not supplied). The swan just suffers from very minor scratching and print loss. (#) US$58.00
Price: £29.00 | |
| 1970 Chinese Tin W/U Xylophone Girl - Adapted(Reference #01-7-6xx)
Now here's a toy that really is unique as it has been adapted from a 1970s Chinese toy that has a doll with a vinyl head and legs. In this version, the head and legs are made of bisque (or some other form of china), and have clearly been taken from an antique doll. The head has blue glass set eyes, an open mouth with teeth, and a mohair wig. The legs have painted socks and shoes. Measuring eight and a half inches tall, the toy is in full working order. Use the integral key to wind her up, and she sways from side to side, tilting her head and playing the xylophone as she goes. The toy is brightly lithographed and, apart from the inevitable wear to the xylophone where it has been struck over the years, some fading to the front of the dress, and some paper damage to the front of the base, is in very acceptable condition for its age. Adapted as it is, this toy would make a delightful addition either to a collection of novelty toys or of vintage dolls.
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|  | 1930s Marx Tin and Wood W/U G-Man Machine Gun(Reference #01-12-17)
Made by Louis Marx of the US in the 1930s, this 24 inch G-man machine gun has a wooden stock handle and a fully functioning wind-up motor. Use the integral key to wind the gun up and it produces a very satisfying - and very realistic - machine gun sound. Sadly, the sparking mechanism no longer works, but this might be remedied by the simple expedient of inserting a new flint. The gun features the most delightful lithography of tough-looking G-men brandishing their machine guns. The toy suffers from some overall wear and marking to the lithography and barrel, but is nevertheless still in very acceptable condition for its age. The only other defect to report is the fact that it lacks the small tinplate section that sits on top of the barrel over the sparking mechanism. If you're a fan of J Edgar Hoover and his G-men, then don't miss this chance to acquire a must-have accessory. (J) US$270.00
Price: £135.00 | |
| 1930s Tin W/U Distler Ladybug(Reference #7-5-89)
Made by the German toy company, Distler, in the 1930s, this tinplate and wind-up ladybug is typical of the insect novelty toys made by the company. If you're an insect lover, then this is the toy for you: what a lovely mover and beautifully printed in vibrant reds and yellows. She measures 5" long by 3" wide. When wound with the concealed integral key, she 'beetles' along in search of grubs, pausing occasionally to smell for scent on the wind. This toy is very detailed with antennae and hairy legs. In full working order, the ladybug is also in good condition. The litho is still bright and shiny, and although there is some creasing and minor print loss to the edges, this is undoubtedly as a result of the original pressing. The only slight defect to report is that the rear section of the left-hand back leg has become detached at some stage and has been soldered back on. However, this has been done so skilfully that the restoration does not detract from the overall appeal or attractiveness of this wonderful insect novelty toy. (50 #) US$350.00
Price: £175.00 |  | |
|  | 1950s Tin W/U Aeroplane Merry-Go-Round(Reference #4-12-480)
This colourful aeroplane carousel was made by an unknown maker in England in the 1930s. We know it is English because the two planes are marked MADE IN ENGLAND on their rear fuselage. The planes are 3.75 inches long, and the toy stands 5.75 inches high. The brightly printed planes are particularly attractive, as is the art deco style roof of the carousel. The lithography is in generally good condition, except for some loss of paint to the base plate. Unfortunately the toy is not in working order (and no key is supplied) because it is missing at least one and possibly two cogs from the motor. It may be possible to replace these with similar cogs from another toy, so that the planes will fly again. In other respects the motor seems to be intact, with an unbroken spring, although one lug to the housing has also broken off. Nevertheless, even if it doesn't work, this is a very decorative item to add to any collection of carousel toys. (WR) US$100.00
Price: £50.00 | |
| 1950s Tin W/U Musical Nursery Mobile(Reference #01-6-3p)
This very unusual tinplate and wind-up musical nursery mobile was made in Japan in the 1950s. It is clearly marked MADE IN JAPAN and PAT NO 105609. Attractively lithographed in red, white, blue and yellow, it can be suspended from a cot or a ceiling by means of the yellow hook on the top. Wind the toy up and the plastic ball on the bent axle rotates, hitting the bells as it does so and causing them to tinkle and the tinplate ball to vibrate at the same time. It is therefore a very ingenious toy. In terms of condition, the tinplate has some slight scuffing and scratching, but there is nothing else to report. This is a delightful and unusual toy that would enhance any collection of musical or nursery toys. (#) US$36.00
Price: £18.00 |  | |
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