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San Francisco Trolley Toy Friction Car. Japan, circa 1950s

Offered by: Clive Devenish Antiques

Description
San Francisco trolley toy Friction cable car; made of all tin; important to note because this was the first of it's kind having been made in the 1950s. They were all tin (no plastic); 7 1/4" long (not shorter); green (not red or multi-clored); "Bay and Taylor St" placard; #504" and most importantly the figures are actual FIGURES made of formed pressed steel and then hand painted and lithographed. Cheaper later models were simply lithographed into the flat sheet steel. Also, my example works (see video). It is a friction toy, while others are simply free rolling. A friction toy worked by rubbing the wheels along the floor a few times while holding the toy in your hand; then placing it on the floor and releasing it. Watch it go. (Request 8 second video). So, this is an ORIGINAL while many others out there are later versions.
Though unmarked, this particular example was made by the Hishimo Sangyou Toy Company, left unlabeled probably because of the anti Japanese sentiment early on after the war.
This cable car toy is in excellent and all original condition. There is no repaint or touch-up of any kind and no restoration. If you want a San Francisco toy cable car for your collection; this is the one you want.

Dimensions: 7 1/4" long x 2 1/4" wide x 3 3/8" high
Provenance: Recently acquired from an esteemed collection of tin toys in Los Angeles.

More Information

Origin:	Japan
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	Tin,Metalwork
Condition:	Good.
Styles / Movements:	Asian, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	629587

Dimensions

W.	2.25 in;	H.	3.38 in;	D.	7.25 in;
W.	5.72 cm;	H.	8.59 cm;	D.	18.42 cm;

Message from Seller:

We are specialists in the field of antique mechanical coin banks. These rare and unique items were sold during the late 1800's and early 1900's to encourage and educate young children on the importance of saving money, with the majority of them having been made in America. We are leading experts in this field and one of the foremost dealers, having traded in mechanical banks since 1976.