Tinplate clockwork toys for collectors
WARNING. The clockwork toys on this page are not children's
playthings and do not comply with Toy Safety legislation.
 CZECH
REPUBLIC
TURNING
CLOCKWORK
LADYBIRD
Moves in a circle, and cleverly will not fall off the table. The keyhole is
subtly disguised as one of the spots. Clockwork, 10cm.
XXXX-TX495
TRACTOR
AND TRAILER
Long-run motor with three forward gears, reverse, brake and steering-wheel
operated steering. Heavy-duty, robust and well finished. The remarkable, in fact
perhaps unique, feature is the gearing. The tractor can reverse, of course, and
not only does it travel at different speeds in each of the three forward gears,
but its load-pulling ability also really changes. This must be by far the most
ingenious piece of precision engineering in any tin-plate toy in current
production. Clockwork, 33cm overall.
XXXX-TX460
 Josef
Wagner / Germany
Josef Wagner operates in a village near Nuremberg, the original clockwork toy-making
centre of Europe. It's a real family business: two generations, both living on
the premises. From outside it looks like the smithy, and perhaps was. Inside,
improbable machines clank and whirr. One cannot believe that anything complies
with current regulations concerning Health and Safety, but the staff seem happy
enough, with all their limbs in place, as does the cat. "All is how it
was," says Herr Wagner, and we believe him.
CLOCKWORK CATCHING
ELEPHANT
The long-running motor spins the propeller on the elephant's head and turns
the augur which carries the balls upward. At the top they roll down the chute,
drop through the elephant's basket, and run down the slope back into
circulation. It is particularly colourful and interestingly-printed, a
decorative ornament even for non-collectors. Clockwork, 9" tall.
XXXX-TX400
 DUCK
ON TRICYCLE
This is a re-make of an old German original and is of the same high quality
as the rest of the range. Although use of plastic for its legs is regrettable,
the mechanism is exceptionally efficient allowing several revolutions.
Clockwork, 20cm.
XXXX-TX418
TINPLATE
GLOBE
CAROUSEL
The Globe Carousel is a good example of one of the few high-quality tin toys
being made in Germany. The powerful pull-and-release mechanism gives a long,
quiet run making the boats fly out horizontally as in the real thing. Sturdy
with excellent print detail and finish, they are an attractive ornament even
when not in motion. 18cm tall.
XXXX-TX413  RUSSIA
There is a tradition of tin toy making in several parts of the former Soviet
Union, and their products are distinctively old-fashioned in both design and
construction (and therefore often passed off as 'antiques'). Recent political
and economic reform make this a precarious source, and many fine models are no
longer obtainable.
 DANCING
DOLL
The Dancing Doll is some 6" tall, made in Russia, well finished and
finely printed. Propelled by an unusual and long-running motor, she glides
gracefully on hidden wheels, doing pirouettes in both directions and moving her
head gently from side to side as she goes, all very pretty. Clockwork.
Now also available in two different colours!
A predominately green version (TX552), and the 'Ice Maiden' (TX551) pictured
right.
XXXX-TX550
XXXX-TX552
XXXX-TX551

MINI BUS TRACK
The raised tray has two revolving circles on each of which travel three
miniature buses which spin round passing in and out of the tunnels. Delightfully
old-fashioned with evocative and detailed printing. Well-finished and solid. A
small lever controls the starting and stopping of the mechanism. Clockwork,
23x10cm.
XXXX-TX561
Tinplate collectors model toys from
Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
An outline of the range from Paya of Spain.
Tinplate clockwork toys from India, Japan,
Korea, and USA.
* New range of Indian Pop-Pop Boats now
available *
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