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toymaker for over 20 years. During this period, one. Of course, prices usually increase along the
Japan made 95% of the world’s battery-operated same scale. Rare toys tend to be those that were
toys. These years were considered the “golden made in very limited numbers, were very fragile,
age” of these innovative toys. or became so popular with collectors that they are
The toymakers of Japan included: Alps, all in private collections.
EC, MM, M-T Co., MS, MS-Co. (different Most of the tin battery/wind-up toys were
companies), HTC, TM, and TN. One well- sold at five-and-dime stores, such as F.W.
known company was Alps Shoji, Ltd. of Tokyo, Woolworth, Grants, Ben Franklin, J. J.
which was founded in 1948. Their toys are Newberry, G.C. Murphy, and McCrory’s, and at
generally well-marked. However, many toys were hardware and grocery stores. They were cheap,
unmarked, and on some, only the boxes were usually retailing for around $1.95 - $3.95. Now,
marked. On others, marks do not indicate the some I have are valued up to $500 with the box.
maker, but the distributor or marketing Generally, these toys are an affordable
company. Boxes often carry only the name of the collectible, with prices ranging from $30 - $300.
U.S. importer, such as Franconia and the Illfelder Most of the Christmas forms are of Santa Claus,
Toy Company (founded in 1856). some with his sleigh and reindeer, but there are
The Japanese tin toy industry declined due to also snowmen and Rudolph, as well as more
the advent of plastics, rising labor costs, and generic reindeer.
increasing safety restrictions. Many Japanese toy Vintage old toy, tin & celluloid, wind-up A large part of the appeal of tin wind-up and
manufacturers used their miniaturized electric Tumbling Fido Dog, Occupied Japan Box, battery-operated toys is the wide variety of
motors to diversify into the electronics field. Toy for sale on ebay for $299. actions available. Usually, the more actions
making began to popularize in Taiwan performed, the more valuable the toy.
and Hong Kong, and later in China, Actions include walking, rolling, turn-
where many manufacturers used ing/changing direction, spinning,
plastic. Within the realm of collecting, smoking, and blowing air (bubbles,
some tin toy collectors do not collect balloons, smoke, projectiles). These
toys that have any plastic included actions are also found: pouring or
while others consider up to 15% drinking liquid, lighting (static or
plastic acceptable. flashing), sounds, bump and go,
bouncing, and moving individual
Tin Toy Provenance parts, including facial movement. The
Elsass admits that determining the possibilities were limited only by the
provenance of specific toys can be creator’s imagination and mechanical
challenging. Many toys are unmarked ability.
or are marked only with a few letters. “Major” action toys have three or
Many manufacturers used different more movements and toys with fewer
marks depending on the production than three movements are referred to
location. Moreover, the marks on as “minor” action toys.
many toys conflicted with the name
on the box (usually the importer), Storage, Maintenance,
which makes determining the manu- and Display
facturer even more difficult. Original It is important to store or display
boxes, important for all toys, are even toys with tinplate lithographs out of
more critical for battery-operated direct sunlight and in a low-humidity
tin toys. Many times, the instructions Two mechanical Santa on Sled figures: Top sled by EC, bottom sled by environment, as they can fade and
for inserting the batteries properly, NM. These roll forward and bells ring. Wind-up. rust. Many collectors use humidity-
operating the toy, the name of the toy The Collection of Bruce Elsass absorbing materials in their toy storage
and maker, and lists of parts and acces- bins, not touching the actual toys to prevent erosive damage. Of course,
sories are only found on the box. As with most popular vintage items, tin never store toys with batteries installed. Toys should be run occasionally
toys, including Santas, have been reproduced, so examine the items with to keep them loosened up and periodically lubricated with a lightweight
care before buying. To spot a reproduction, look for the brightness of spray lubricant. Using good quality car wax can add shine to most
the paint and tin, and the lack of normal wear patterns. Reproductions metal parts: the wax should be tested in an inconspicuous area to ensure
are also often stamped with “China.” it does not damage the paint. Valuable non-operating toys can
sometimes be repaired by an expert, but Elsass cautioned they can
Value be hard to fix when the wiring has worn out, but light bulbs
Although many collectibles markets are currently “soft,” toys have can be replaced.
maintained their value. The Christmas-themed toys are also a cross
collectible and are sought by more than one type of collector
(Christmas collectors as well as toy collectors). As is true with collecting About Bruce Elsass
any kind of toy, condition is paramount when it comes to determining An avid collector of vintage and antique Christmas items, Elsass is a
value. Many toys were well-used and did not survive their juvenile proud member of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past collectors’
owners, so a piece in good working order with good paint and in the organization and has been collecting Made In Japan tin toys for over 40
original box may command much more than a similar model that is years. He even developed his own line of Christmas products under the
non-working or with notable signs of wear, and without the box. In name “Hobgoblins by Bruce Elsass.” Elsass’ Christmas ornaments have been
some cases, a box in good condition is worth twice the price of the displayed on the White House Christmas tree, sold at The Smithsonian
actual toy. Battery-operated toys faced the additional hazard of leaking Museum as well as the Folk Art Museum in New York City. Many of his
corrosive battery acid, so even though many of the toys were made, a products have been sold in boutiques, folk art, and gift stores around the
large proportion did not survive. Repainting diminishes the value of the country. But, times have changed. Today, he is creating for the big box
toy so collectors should pay special attention to touch-ups. stores. The cost of goods and retail prices have become so high that customers
Battery-operated toys can be assigned a number on a scale to can no longer afford handmade items. The type of work he is doing now is
indicate rarity, with #1 being a very common toy and #10 a very scarce not nearly as much fun for him.

36 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles