Japanese Toys: Amusing Playthings from the Past (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

By William C. Gallagher

In the 1950s and '60s, fine-quality Japanese-made toys flooded the market and sold popularly at five and dime stores worldwide. A top-notch Japanese manufacturer of these toys was Toplay Ltd., recognized by their T.P.S. trademark, who also made toys for importers like LINEMAR, Cragstan, Frankonia, Rosko, and Mego. Over 265 motorized, wind-up, battery-operated, tin, plastic, animal, and platform base toys are featured, including authorized editions based on Popeye and Walt Disney*r characters. Information on manufacturers, the trading and import companies, dates of production, patent drawings, dimensions, descriptions, and original packaging are included. A price guide and identification of over 200 Japanese trademarks complete this useful guide.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764311298
• ISBN13: 9780764311291
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 3.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.5" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

I love this Book!

One of the best books ever written on Post war toys from Japan. Beautiful color photos of toys and their boxes, along with production dates and quantities, dimensions, description of actions, scarcity ratings and values. Patent drawings and illustrations are included for many toys. This book contains the most extensive listing of Japanese toy trademarks I have ever seen. I have been collecting Japanese tin toys for 35 years and this listing alone makes this book invaluable.