Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

"George The Drummer Boy" Tin windup Toy by Louis Marx, New York City. Circa 1930

$550
£417.63
€477.59
CA$768.43
A$854.66
CHF 446.28
MX$10,400.32
NOK 5,699.65
SEK 5,345.26
DKK 3,564.43
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This circa 1930 "George, Drummer Boy" brightly colored lithographed tin wind-up toy capitalizes on the popularity of marching bands, spawned from the military and World War I victory, in addition to the preponderance of patriotism taking place in America at that time. The operation is simple and it works great; simply wind-up the attached key; release, and "George, The Drummer Boy" raises and lowers his left arm alternately smashing two symbols together; one in his left hand and one attached to the drum; all this, while beating the bass drum with his right hand; the sounds are simulated by the wind up mechanism (please see attached short video with this listing). There is also a subtle sound of a bell. It is in excellent and all original condition with no restoration and no touch-up paint; symbols are original; factory original surface has a nice patina and minimal wear. It is brightly colored with no fading. Very collectible and depicting traditional Americana, this toy was manufactured by the "Louis Marx Toy Company" in New York City, as indicated by the circular logo with "MAR" in the middle located on the back of the drummer's uniform (see image). "George The Drummer Boy" is brightly lithographed to both sides of the large bass drum. This is a more difficult to find and larger, more pronounced version of Marx's later made "Drummer Boy". It also has the blue movable eyes rather than fixed eyes. This bass drum version with "George The Drummer boy on the drum is the rarer version than the drummer boy with the snare drum; especially when found in this excellent original condition. To further validate and authenticate this toy please note that I have located the cover and end flap to the original packaging box (photographed and included) describing the genesis of "George, The Drummer Boy". Dimensions: 3 3/4" wide x 4" deep x 9" high Provenance: Recently acquired from an esteemed collection of tin toys in Los Angeles 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 and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys that I have listed for sale; it would create an immediate quality collection, as most of these toys came, either from a long time premium California collection or from my own shelves. It would take quite some time and effort to accumulate toys this clean, authentic, original, operable and in excellent condition. See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose.
  • Creator:
    Louis Marx and Company (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 3.75 in (9.53 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Tin,Metalwork
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1930
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973232970832

More From This Seller

View All
"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

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 Tin Wind Up Toy by Louis Marx Toy Co. "Motorcycle Cop" American, C.1938
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Colorful, great looking, wonderful action, and well made vintage toy in fabulous original condition; everything wanted in an antique toy. The toy is the larger size 8 1/2" version an...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys

Materials

Tin

"Joe Penner" Vintage Clockwork Windup Toy by Louis Marx Co American Circa 1930's
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fabulous American vintage all tin wind-up toy with attached key and clockwork mechanism, whereby upon winding it up, the character (Joe Penner) waddles aimlessly across the floor, hat flying in the air with notorious cigar in motion (see attached video with listing). The toy is in wonderful and complete original condition with all original parts and authentic factory paint. It is often found incomplete (cigar or hat missing more often than not); and usually doesn't work properly. My example works great and is in nice bright original paint and lithography, in multiple colors of a black and white checkered suit...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Clown in A Barrel" by J Chein & Co. American Circa 1935
By J. Chein & Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made by J. Chein & Company Circa 1935 in New York City; originally inventoried as #258 (same number as similar looking Popeye toy dated 1932) and was named "Mechanical Clown Barrel Walker". The name of the maker "Chein" is stamped as a logo to the rear of the barrel (see image). This is one of the earlier toys that Chein made. The lithography and hand paint are in gorgeous original condition with bright colors of red and gold to the barrel, flesh tones to the clown, who sports a multi colorful smiling face. The toy works great; simply wind the attached key wind in the back 1/2 revolution; place on the hard surface----the clown waddles across the floor, back and forth, while shaking his head to and fro (see accompanying video with this listing to see it work) In addition to being quite a scarce toy it is even more difficult to find in this fine condition. Often times the head is lacking or replaced from rough usage and surface rarely maintains this beautiful finish. This particular example is completely original with no restorations, repairs, or touch up paint of any kind. There is a small 5/8" superficial indentation to the front top of barrel (see image). This would make a proud addition to any collection of vintage toys or Americana. Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide x 4" deep See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose. Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys. 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 and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage...
Category

Vintage 1930s Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Antique Tin Toy Wind-Up Toy Cowboy "Whoopee Car" by Louis Marx Co N.Y.C. C.1935
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is one of the more popular "crazy car" toys and was designed by the iconic New York City Louis Marx Toy Company, Circa 1935, with the fascination of the American West and the st...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys

Materials

Tin

You May Also Like

Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Arts and Crafts More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Original Vintage Toy, Wind Up Circus Performer, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
This Wind up Circus Performer is an original vintage toy. Vintage wind up mechanical toy representing a circus performer. Made in tin by th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Toys

Materials

Metal

Vintage Kings Guardsman Wood Toy by Kay Bojesen, 1970s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Wooden kings guardsman in lacquered beech. It was designed by Kay Bojesen in 1942. It features movable head, arms and legs and it still has it original riffle. This example was manuf...
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beech

Vintage Christmas Big Nutcracker, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been their ho...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys

Materials

Wood

Manuel Felguérez Mid-Century Mexican Metal Toy Soldier (1 of 7)
By Manuel Felguérez
Located in Countryside, IL
Manuel Felguérez Mid-Century Mexican Metal Toy Soldier (1 of 7) This figurine measures: 5.5 wide x 5.75 deep x 18 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to ...
Category

Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Christmas Small Red Nutcracker, Wood, Erzgebirge, Germany, 1970
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutcrackers, where intricate carving has been their ho...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys

Materials

Wood