Early 20th Century Toys and Dolls

This antique figural telephone child's baby rattle is presumed to have been made in the United States in circa 1930 in the period Art Deco style. The toy rattle is composed of a mold...

This antique handmade cloth doll dates to the early 20th century and features a charming hand-painted face with blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and short brown hair. The doll is dressed in i...

ABOUT Jointed wooden giraffe manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the Humpty Dumpty Circus collection. Made from c...

A lovely baby gift or wedding gift. A sterling silver teddy beat with a wonderful teething ring with a rattler inside the bear. Could, of course, be practical or as a decorative piece. A sophisticated addition to any baby room, as a small collection of sterling and books. We have found the price...

This is both a still bank and a biscuit tin. It would originally have been sold, filled with biscuits. After all of the cookies would have been consumed, the tin (rather than been thrown away) would have been used as a bank to save money. There is a slot for deposits at the back of the neck at the top (see image). Coins would have been removed by lifting or twisting the snug fitting lid. Toby is nicely hand-painted in pleasing colors of green, blue, gold, and white, with realistic flesh tones to the hands and face. The total height is 6 1/2" while the total width is 6" (includes handle). Diameter at the base is 5". This Toby figured tin was manufactured circa 1911 by the biscuit tin company of Hudson Scott located in Carlisle, England. It is marked at the bottom "Hudson Scott & Sons Ltd. Carlisle, England." It has crossover appeal into three categories of collectors. It would be a welcome addition to both the still bank collector and the biscuit tin collector...

English Jigger Doll We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved folk art English jigger doll example. Carved from pine and joined with brass supports. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate ‘toys’ for adults or children. Obtained from a private collection in London and untouched in form with all its original featured intact. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...

This mechanical bank "Saluting Sailor" was manufactured in the 1920s by Saalheimer & Strauss Company in Germany. It is in excellent all original condition and brightly hand painted in colors of red, white, blue, yellow, and grey. There is an ever so slight crease to the left on dial. The bank operates as follows: Press down on the lever in front just beneath the steering wheel. The sailor raises his right arm and lowers his left arm revealing a slot on the right side of the bank where the sailor's left arm was, inviting the deposit of a coin (see image). Release the lever, and the arms return to their original position (see image). Coins are removed via the original key lock trap. The bank measures: 6 3/4" high 4 7/8" wide 2" deep I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...

Dressed in fine silks trimmed with embroidered bands and tassels, this puppet brought the glory of the imperial court to the small stage as part of an early 20th-century puppet opera. Complete with songs, acrobatics, farce, and drama, Chinese puppet...

All four toys cars are being sold for one price; as a lot. Please see descriptions below. Videos available on request (they display operation). 1) Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930 This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930. This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly lithographed and painted in red and yellow, with grey and red balloon wheels. All tin, this car is quite scarce and well proportioned and stream lined with a visor over the windshield, a fancy checkered, red and yellow running board, and three cut out windows to each side of the car; very luxurious and cool looking. Markings consist of "N.J.-44"; the word "Stop" in a logo of some kind; and Chein logo attesting to "Made in U.S.A." manufacture. (see image). Also "marked" and of note are the tires "Chein Balloon Cord" "U.S.A." and "33 x 6 00.6 Ply" Car is from my own collection and is in very good and all original condition with no touch-up paint or repaint, and no restoration of any kind; fabulous colors and presence. The car works fine; see video for operation of the limousine (on request).. Dimensions: 7 1/4" long x 3 1/2" wide x 3" high 2) Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted. The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories. This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images). The action and friction functionality works well (see video on request). Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window. Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows. Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high. Note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work. 3) Vintage Free Wheeling Green Lithographed All Tin Racing Car. French, Circa 1930 Circa 1930's free wheeling green lithographed all tin racing car, with attached pressed steel driver; it is probably of French manufacturer (the only time I have seen for sale was from a French toy dealer). This scarce toy has markings resembling early racing cars with the streamlined style graphics in yellow and green; standard grill; exhaust four manifolds to each side, and a spare tire attached to the rear; looks like an early Le Mans type car with the spare (see images). Other markings include the number "3:" on each side; "510 x 1" on the rear tire"; and probably the makers mark and logo, which I can't identify, on the top right behind the driver (see images). Not being a wind-up or a friction toy, this racing car was pushed across the floor by hand or/and used as an accessory in a toy train layout setup. The car is in excellent and all original condition (remarkable for a nearly 100 year old floor toy), with no dents, no touch-up paint and absolutely no restoration.. Provenance: From my own collection of toys and banks, having been purchased 33 years ago in 1990. Dimensions: 8 1/4" long x 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" high 4) Lehman Auto "Ito" Sedan, Germany, circa 1913 This hand-painted German tin toy was manufactured by the "Lehman Toy Company" in Brandenburg, Germany beginning in 1913. It was made for a number of years after that, enjoying about a 20 year run. Entitled "Ito" it operates by winding up the attached key wind mechanism, placing it on the floor, and watching it go. The car is in very good all original condition with no repairs and no repaint. It runs well. There are a number of markings on the car including "Lehman" with the corresponding logo and the number 679 on the rear. The side of the has the patent information "Pat'd 12 May 1903; 13 Sept. 1904; and U.S.A. 2 Dec. 1913". Hand-painted nicely in red and black with black and gold trim; the hand-painted driver is in blue with flesh tones to the face. Dimensions: 7" long x 3" wide x 3 1/2" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and banks; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...

Wicker duck from with an intricate woven wicker structure and highlighted with wood wings and a sculpted bill and feet.

ABOUT Jointed wooden lion manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the "Humpty Dumpty Circus" collection. Made from ca...

Very rare, highly sought after and collectable Father Tuck's mechanical animals The St. Bernard dog (Canis familiaris) No 1 and The calf of the comm...

This doorstop, also known as "Overhead Swinging Golfer," is more difficult to find than it's "Putting Golfer" counterpart doorstop; which is also made by Hubley. Manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1920, this cast iron doorstop is in outstanding all original bright paint with no touch up or restoration of any kind, and in wonderful patina. It depicts an older, grey haired man, with typical knicker golf garb, taking a wild swing at a golf ball resting on the grass. It has a semi "hollow" rear with a "238" factory marking, indicating that it is, in fact, by Hubley and original. It is noted in Jeanne Bertoia's 1985 book on doorstops page 60; and referenced on page 211 of the Smith book on doorstops. A must for the doorstop or golfing memorabilia...

Early 20th century Auntie Sally English parlour game A rare early 20th Century example of an English hand-crafted Aunt Sally parlour game. Made from pine wood this item has 22 wooden throwing sticks, 1 aunt sally figure, several clay pipes...

Very interesting wooden still bank with lots going on. All hand-carved of wood with four small circular risers elevating the base. There is a water pump with a bucket hanging from it and a metal pumper attached to the top. A hand-carved and painted brown pine tree is attached at the opposite corner with a large water well to the other corner. A lady with outstretched arms and a "King Cole" type headdress seems to be reaching out to her baby dressed in green who is lying down on top of the well, next to the coin slot. Perhaps she is about to bathe her. A bird looks on from atop the perch protruding from the pump. Dominant hand painted colors are different shades of brown and all original with no repaint. Very nice all original paint and condition with a small chip missing here and there to this handmade, kind of "folksy", and very well done bank (see images). A round circular key lock trap for releasing the coins is on the underneath, along with "Wishing Well German" handwritten on the opposite corner (see image). Whether written by an earlier collector or maker is not known. Dimensions: 4" square x 3 5/8" high. A unique one of a kind piece to add to a collection of still banks and a nice addition to a Folk Art collection (from my own collection). I am a leading specialist in the field of antique coin...

This child's toy set of nesting blocks or boxes was m fade by Lungers Hausen of Germany in approximately 1920 in the period Art Deco style. The blocks or boxes are constructed of wood which has been covered with vibrant and colorful lithographed paper images of nursery rhymes, animals and children playing. The graduated set can be configured in numerous ways, but when stacked reach over fifty inches in height. The nesting boxes...

Large iron and copper mold used to make a children's toy depicting a soldier. United States of America, early 20th century.

The term "spelter" refers to a zinc/lead metal compound used to pour and make castings. Because of the thinness of the castings there is great detail to the subject matter of these banks. Spelter banks...

1930s hand painted tinplate car.

Impressive, large scale metal model of a red lorry truck. France, circa late 1920s.

A beautiful and rare antique rocking horse. Hand carved and painted with intricate details. There are elements on this rocking horse such as the hand forged nails that lead us to bel...

This Chinese opera hand puppet is dress in an elegant, embroidered silk dragon robe. The puppet head is of painted wood. The white face usually represents a villain. Puppetry is a major entertainment performance art in Chinese traditional theatre. This traditional performance art was widely used in religious and rural events to exorcise evil spirits. Puppets are also used in festivals such as the Chinese Ghost Festival to scare away ghosts, as well as significant events including births or marriage or to entertain audiences. The puppet theatre has developed into several different genres amongst different areas in China including rod puppets, glove puppets, shadow puppets and string puppets...

Windmill Hammermill Steam Engine Tin Toy manufactured by Doll & Co. We have for you unique decoration this unusual tin Windmill Hammermill Steam Engine Tin Toy, that was manufactured in Nuremburg, Germany by Doll & Co., back in the early 1900. This piece is in all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, some fading, chips, some surface rust, scratches and wear that is to be expected from age and play. This is a very interesting and unique decorative piece and should be a great conversation item. Weight: About 2 pounds (0.91 Kg). Measurements: 260 mm by 165 mm by 114 mm (10.25 x 6.5 x 4.5 Inches). Hallmarks: Signed DC for DOLL & CO. Doll & Co. The company was founded in 1898 in Nuremburg, Germany by tinsmith Peter Doll & John Sondheim with Max Bein (Sondheim’s nephew) joining as a third partner just before WWI. Doll & Co. specialized in steam toys and steam engines. The company made and sold model steam engines...

Decorate a kid's room with this antique Art Deco child chair. Crafted in France circa 1920 in the matter of Michael Thonet, and made of bentwood, the baby chair...

Art Deco vintage ball from stitched leather, 1920s with beautiful details like stitched leather parts and a beautiful leather patina. The original condition of the leather punchball...

Hand puppets, like this one from China’s Zhejiang region, have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries. In the late 19th early-20th century this tiny robed gentleman proba...

This gigantic - nearly man high - steel hoisting crane will give a dull corner the right Industrial look and feel you are looking for. The fully operational toy dates from the firs...

Japanese Art Deco Showa Period Hakata Ningyô of a Boy Holding a Fish, Ca. 1920 Signed on the bottom. DIMENSIONS 8” high x 7.5” wide ...

Old bronze kewpie doll car Mascot / hood ornament. 1912-1920´s. Mounted over a wings radiator cap. Perfect gift for any Car Fan / Automobilia. Can be used...

The rocking horse was made in the first half of the 20th century in the United Kingdom. The ears and the reigns are in light brown leather. The main and the tail of the horse are mad...

Antique Hand Carved Turkish Wood Camel Rocker with Leather Cushion Seat One of a kind and unique carved wood rocking camel. It’s a child’s size, hand made and very cool and very old...

We are delighted to offer for sale this one of a kind scratch built circa 1910 children’s pull along Flying Scotsman LNER 4472 train sold at Christies ...

Carved wood miniature settee with very fine quality carving and a needlepoint cushion. French, early 20th century.

A large model of a lorry made in the second quarter of the 20th century. The cab is red, the body and flatbed maroon, above four spoked wheels. After an American Brockway truck. ...