Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Vintage Wind-Up Toy, Circa 1950 "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" Rare

$495
£374.59
€432.02
CA$691.23
A$774.40
CHF 403.08
MX$9,430.76
NOK 5,134.66
SEK 4,835.40
DKK 3,224.95
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This is a very rare toy that I have not seen an example of before, and judging by it's action and appearance, I would venture to say it is post war, probably made in Japan for the American market (boy looks very American). I have called it "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" which resembles the clockwork movement. To operate: hold the toy in the left hand with thumb on chest and then; wind up attached original key with the right hand several times; and release. With a smiling face, the boy will roll his head back and forth, while diligently shining his black boots, using an up and down motion with his right hand. The toy works quite well and will go on for some time. It is made up of several materials. The head, hands, and shoes are made of composition; it has a tin body; the clothes jersey, hat, and "falling" trousers" are made of fabric. The toy is in good original condition; some wear to boy's hat and jersey in back (see images), a slight "bend" to tinplate in the rear; but for the most part, the toy is very sturdy, works well, has a nice appearance, and wonderful charisma. This is a charming rare toy that operates as it should, and is a "must have" for collectors of post-war vintage wind up toys; mainly because of it's rarity, action and shelf appeal. Dimensions: 3 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" deep x 7" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys. See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1950
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973224430772

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy Attributed Schoenhut Company, Germany Circa 1920
By Schoenhut
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy possibly by The Schoenhut Toy Company, Germany, circa 1920; capitalizing on the popularity of the circus clown during t...
Category

Vintage 1920s German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Composition

Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy by Lindstrom, "Dancing Katinka" American, Circa 1930
By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique toys like this (wind ups) are difficult to find in outstanding operating condition as this one (see the video attached) because of the rough play they would have received from the children who owned them. In very good and all original condition and paint in green, white, yellow, and flesh tone; the paint and lithography has no touch up or repaint of any kind; there is zero restoration. To operate, just turn clockwise the attached clockwork wind up key on the back of the girl and the she dances around in a circular motion for quite some time. "Dancing Katinka" is an all tin wind up toy...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Vintage "Dapper Clown" Roly Poly Toy; Scarce. Germany Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Toy; unknown German maker, circa 1915; I have named "Dapper Clown"; this is one of the more rare "Rolly Dolly's" (really rare in this condition). Today we call these toys "Roly Poly's". You knock them over and they always "right" themselves and get upright; probably after the 17th C. Japanese "Daruma Dolls" at some level. I'm not sure of the actual thematic genesis of this character, but the excellent condition, very simply, separates this from any other similar Roly Poly's, Watch the attached video to see how it was played with to better appreciate the condition. 8" high puts it in the "taller" category for this toy. Made of paper mache, makers of these roly poly's were produced quite prolifically by the same type of German cottage industry that produced Noah...
Category

Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Composition

Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy "BoBo The Clown". German, Circa 1927
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy, of German manufacture, circa 1927; depicts a clown by the nickname of "BoBo"; named after a famous clown during that period ----BoBo ...
Category

Vintage 1920s German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Composition

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Johnny" The Dancing Clown by Lindstrom Toy Co., Circa 1930
By Lindstrom Tool & Toy Company 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a hard to find pre war vintage, Made in America wind up tin toy by The Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, circa 1928-1932. The action is fabulous; when wound ...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"Drummer Boy" Tin-wind-up Toy by Louis Marx, New York City, circa 1940's
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
This 1940's "Drummer Boy" brightly colored lithographed tin wind-up toy capitalizes on the popularity of marching bands, spawned from World War II and the preponderance of patriotism...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

You May Also Like

Vintage Toy, Wind Up Boy on Tricycle, Made in Germany, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
This wind up boy on tricycle is a vintage mechanical toy. Vintage wind up mechanical toy representing a boy riding his tricycle. Made in ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Toys

Materials

Metal

Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure Toy
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France during the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Papier Mache Rocking Toy Clown Figure. 1920's.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely toy clown A bell rings when it rocks Hand painted papier mache. Marked " foreign ". Most likely by Schoenhut, Germany Good condition / condition commensurate with the age ...
Category

Vintage 1920s German Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood, Paper

Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure Toy French
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage working condition. Features porcelain head, hands and feet. Made in France circa...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

20th C Folk Art Carved Boy Doll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C folk art carved boy doll with original clothes. Hand painted face and shoes.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Adirondack Toys

Materials

Wood

20th C Folk Art Carved Boy Doll
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With brilliantly shaped shoes, moustache and top hat. Stood on a wire stand...
Category

Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Toys

Materials

Pine