Miniature Tin Toy & Candy Shop

I found this antique miniature tin shop on display with a whole town full of other buildings, including a movie theater (with a marquee that read "Moving Pictures"), a drug store, and a red schoolhouse. Sadly I could only afford one, and this was my favorite, of course. Dating from 1914 and measuring just under 3 inches tall, the lithographed tin shop was originally a candy container.

The detail is remarkable
for such a tiny piece.
In the toy window,
you can just make out
a teddy bear, doll,
and red wagon:

Fisher Price Pop-Up Kritter: Tailspin Tabby

Fisher Price Pop-Up Kritters were a line of inexpensive, novelty type toys introduced in the company's first year, 1931. They were constructed of a series of wooden beads, strung together with heavy line, and mounted on wooden paddles. Metal rings on the underside of the paddle gathered the strings together, and by pulling on the rings, the Kritter could be made to move, rather like a marionette, wiggling, flopping down, and springing up.

This cat Kritter was known as Tailspin Tabby, and was part of the first series. The earliest versions of the Kritters came with poems, and Tabby's read:

"Tailspin Tabby is my name --
Action is my claim to fame.
Who can resist my tail to twist?
To pass me up would be a shame."

The first version of Tabby dates from 1931-1939, and featured a yellow painted face with oilcloth ears (now often missing). It came on a round or long guitar shaped paddle, stamped with the Fisher Price logo. This Tabby stands just under 5 inches to the top of her head.

This later version of Tabby is from 1948-1950, and was much redesigned, with a cuter face, big feet, and more diminutive proportions. Instead of a stamped Fisher Price logo, it has a colorful label.

Meow!

 

Their low price (.75-$1.00), pocket-sized portability, and comical movement made the Kritters a huge hit with both children and adults, and they were mainstays of the Fisher Price line for decades. The most popular Pop Up Kritter was Disney's Pluto Pup, but the range included giraffes, storks, donkeys, elephants, geese, a dinosaur, Donald Duck, and a mouse that looked suspiciously like Mickey.

Silly Billy: Vintage Mr. Potato Head Knock-Off

Vintage Mr. Potato Head toys are some of my favorite collectibles. Besides Mr. P-head himself, there are lots of related items to search for, including many knock-offs made during the early years of the craze. This set, Silly Billy, was particularly bold, even including the manufacturer's name and address on the box.

The contents appear to have been molded right from the originals, and the illustrations are virtually identical. Naughty, naughty. I can't imagine they got away with this for very long.

You can see lots more Mr. Potato Head knock-offs (and rare vintage Potato Head stuff) at www.mrpotatohead.net.

Fisher Price Coaster Boy

The Coaster Boy, made for only one year, 1941, is one of Fisher Price's rarest and most sought-after lithographed wooden pull toys. 15 inches long, the coaster features an attached, jointed wooden boy. As the wagon is pulled, the boy pushes it along, then he hops up onto the wagon, and coasts! After a bit, he hops off and pushes it again. All the while, a bell rings, so you know he's coming. You can imagine the kind of hard play these would have gotten outside, which, combined with their brief production run, makes them so rare. Just an amazing and beautiful toy.

 Pushing.

 Coasting!

Fisher Price Donald Duck Toys

Fisher Price made an incredible variety of lithographed paper and wood pull toys in its first few decades, and Donald Duck was one of its most popular licensed characters.

My earliest such toy was made between 1936 and 1938: Dapper Donald Duck. Eight inches tall, it features "flapping" wings held in place by a piece of rubber. Dapper Donald was one of Fisher Price's earliest bestsellers, and it's easy to see why.

One in a series of character driven train engines, 1940-1942's Donald Choo Choo was a fun entry in the line, measuring 9 1/2 inches long.

Next, from 1946-1948 comes Donald Duck Drum Major, 10 inches tall. The baton spins as the toy is pulled.

The Donald Duck Xylophone from 1946-1953 is one of my favorites. At a whopping 13 inches tall, this was a big pull toy. As it is pulled, Donald actually plays the xylophone.

 Lastly, from 1949-1951, the 8 inch Donald Duck Drummer cheerfully pounds away on his tin drum as he's pulled along. What a difference in style between this and the 1936 Dapper Donald, with his long bill and manic expression!