Once the object of a child's desire, tin toys now dance in the dreams of fun-loving collectors

It doesn't have to be Christmas for adults to display their collection of toys, old and new. However, by late November museums begin setting up toy collections and they show up at auctions - just in time for Christmas.

These days, 19th-century tin and iron toys, along with post World War II toys, are eagerly sought by adult collectors. What once sold for a few dollars is today out of the reach of children's piggy banks - and definitely not to be played with.

One such collection of 19th- and early 20th-century toys is now on display, on loan to Colonial Williams-burg's Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, as part of this year's annual Christmas exhibition by Joseph and June Hennage.

Their collection, which began with small tin penny toys, has grown to over 180 pieces made in Germany and America in the late 19th and early 20th century. Some of the toys are as small as three inches and originally sold for a penny. Made in Victorian England, they were available to even the poorest children. From the 1890s to World War I, they were made primarily in Germany - but later in America, France and Japan. Once sold on street corners and made by the hundreds, today they are scarce and collectors gladly pay several hundred dollars apiece.

For a bit of history, tin toys are made from sheet iron plated with a protective layer of tin to keep them from rusting. Before the Industrial Revolution they were stamped out and molded by hand-operated devices and hand-painted. By the 19th century with the development of powered machinery and the invention of chromolithography, it was possible to turn out thousands of tin toys inexpensively.



Toy makers often kept pace with changing technology. Flying toys became popular soon after the Wright Brothers' famous Kitty Hawk flight. This circa 1925 toy airplane and hangar probably originated in Germany.

Nuremberg, Germany, became the chief maker and exporter. However that changed after World War 1. By the 1920s and 1930s, with Germany recovering from defeat, the tin-plated toy market had shifted to other countries, as well as Japan and the United States. However, their products weren't as well made as Germany's earlier toys.

Just before World War II, Germany was once again making quality toys. Even after World War II, Germany again began producing tin-plated toys. Up to the 1950s they were marked "Made in the US Zone."

Those made in post-war Japan were marked "Occupied Japan." These toys are now considered serious collectibles since they were made with those marks for such a brief time.

As toy auctions the past few years have shown, it is the Japanese toys made in the post-war 1950s, marked "Made in Japan" that keep going up in price. What makes them so special were the innovations that included robot toys with flashing lights, loud noises and battery-operated or clock-work cartoon characters.

Collectors look for toys that came as sets, such as firemen, engines and firehouse. These were made in both 19th and 20th centuries.

Rarity plays a big part in value. Remember, a tin-plate toy can date to the 1950s or 1960s and be a rarity. After all, as toys they got rough treatment. Some with more delicate parts, such as a clockwork peacock and remote-controlled butterflies, have all but disappeared from the market place.

There are no-nos for toy collectors. Most important is to avoid reproductions. If the paint is too bright the piece is either a repro or has been touched up. Make it a point to visit a museum exhibit and get an "eye feel" for old toys.

Moveable toys should move. And, if key wind, have the key. However, if you are offered a rare old toy at a bargain price (and you know it is authentic) but it needs repairs, buy it. There are many tin toy restorers who have the proper parts.

Some 1950s toys have been re-issued. Among the makers are Paya of Spain and Schuco toys made under the German firm trademarked GAMA. These are racing cars.

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TERMS FOR TOY COLLECTORS

JAPANNING

Early American and European tin toys were decorated with several layers of paint finished with a coat of lacquer.

LITHOGRAPHED TIN

In the 1880s, various colors and designs were printed on flat sheets of metal using a lithographic press - after which the toys were fashioned by tools and dies.

CRAZING

Lines formed by age.

WINDUPS

A toy that moves either by clock-work or is spring-driven.

FAKE ANTIQUING

Often burnt umber and other artificial means are used to cover up a repainted toy and simulate aging.

MARRIED TOY

Adding new parts to a toy that didn't originally belong.

IN BOX

Sometimes it happens! A vintage toy turns up at auction with its original box. That automatically doubles the value. Aside from adding value, boxes furnish information about dating and manufacturer, among other data.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

There are dozens of books and price guides on the subject, toy auctions and collector's clubs. They are listed in "Warman's Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide," Krause Publications, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001.

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Buddy 'L' coach fetches $44,000 at auction Special to Coastal Antiques & Art

ALLENTOWN, PA. - An October auction marked the end of an era for Buddy 'L' Toy Co. as the balance of its mint toy archive went on the block.

The premium-quality Buddy 'L' construction, fire and delivery vehicles exceeded even the most expectations. A boxed Curtiss Candies advertising truck earned $13,200, while a boxed 1938 Pure Ice sit-n-ride truck, complete with canvas cover and ice tongs, fetched a cool $23,200.

But the show stopper, a pristine 1920s green motor coach with nickel plated headlights and bumper, opening doors, side-mounted spare tires and still-attached factory tag, led bidders on a chase that finally ended at $44,000.

Many other categories of toys were offered, each category with its own highlights. Of the robot group, a Masudaya Machine Man sold within estimate at $27,500; and a boxed Musical Drummer Robot in near-mint condition beat predictions at $16,500. A rare Bandai Super Cycle Space Patrol in its original box sold for $9,900.

Although the sale contained fewer lots from the archive than the $2.5 million Randy Inman sale held last March, $1.7 million was spent during the three-day event.