Original Vintage Toy, Wind up J.M.L. Car, Made in France, 1930s

Manufactured in the mid 1930s by J. Chein & Company in Harrison, New Jersey, this vintage wind-up toy depicts a boy riding an alligator. A wound-up clockwork key powers the alligator...

The "Milton Berle" car is one of a series of "Crazy Cars" manufactured by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; this one being one of the more prolific examples, owing to the ...

"COO COO CAR" is the name of this "crazy car"; one of a series manufactured by the Louis Marx & Company iconic toy designer circa 1932; the company having been established in New Yor...

Fabulous addition to the "crazy car" examples made famous by the iconic and "Louis Marx Toy Company" manufacturers of fine quality toys and established in New York City in 1919. This...

This is one of the more popular "crazy car" toys and was designed by the iconic New York City Louis Marx Toy Company, Circa 1935, with the fascination of the American West and the st...

This is an all tin vintage wind up toy and a very strong example of "Tumbling Monkey" by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; manufactured circa 1938. Quite remarkably, it in...

This is a very rare toy that I have not seen an example of before, and judging by it's action and appearance, I would venture to say it is post war, probably made in Japan for the American market (boy looks very American). I have called it "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" which resembles the clockwork movement. To operate: hold the toy in the left hand with thumb on chest and then; wind up attached original key with the right hand several times; and release. With a smiling face, the boy will roll his head back and forth, while diligently shining his black boots, using an up and down motion with his right hand. The toy works quite well and will go on for some time. It is made up of several materials. The head, hands, and shoes are made of composition; it has a tin body; the clothes jersey, hat, and "falling" trousers" are made of fabric. The toy is in good original condition; some wear to boy's hat and jersey in back (see images), a slight "bend" to tinplate in the rear; but for the most part, the toy is very sturdy, works well, has a nice appearance, and wonderful charisma. This is a charming rare toy that operates as it should, and is a "must have" for collectors of post-war vintage wind up toys...

Dancing rabbit wind up toy, "Uncle Wiggly", was made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938. It was designed, and the creation of foremost leading toy inventor Gene ...

"Dancing Sailor" by Ernest Paul Lehman of Brandenburg, Germany; patented in 1903 (see image of marking) appears in post turn of the century Lehman Toy catalogues as item #535. After ...

Listed as #431 in the Lehman catalogues this wonderful vintage children's wind up toy, manufactured by the prestigious and iconic Lehman Toy Company of Germany; was patented in 1895 (see image--markings under wing ). The toy was made for over 25 years and was quite popular. When wound up using the underside attached clockwork( key (see attached movie) the toy depicts the six legged beetle crawling across the floor by moving it's legs back and forth while flapping it's wings in the air. All the markings "Pat. U.S.A." "D.R.G.M." "Pat April 23, 1895" "Lehman" are clearly marked under the wing (see image). It is lithographed and hand painted in colors of bluish green wings, a red and white head, yellow and black under wings, with red and blackish green legs. This particular example is completely original ,which is highly unusual for this toy as a search of other examples would reveal that one or several of the legs are typically lacking, or repaired, as are the fragile wings as well. There is no restoration and no touch up paint of any kind. to this toy. It is original in every respect. The toy is catalogued as "EPL #431" and documented on page 129 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982. Dimensions: 4 1/4" long x 2" high x 4" wide Provenance: Recently acquired from a highly regarded West Coast collection of antique wind...