Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Marx "Wonder Cyclist" American Circa 1930

About the Item

Marx "Wonder Cyclist" is the earlier version of this wind-up "Boy on a Tricycle" toy; and not to be confused with the later version by Unique Art called "Kiddy Cyclist". This toy featured is MUCH more rare and more sought after by collectors of early tin wind up toys. Rather than lithographed wheels these are metal spoke wheels; all three wheels are "spoked" and the arms and legs of the boy figure are uniquely and individually attached to both the metal handlebars and the bike pedals. It rarely operates properly, but this particular example works quite well (see the attached video) albeit, it might need some coaxing. The lever below the bell in the metal casing should be in the "stop" position; then wind up the attached clockwork key. aim the front wheel straight ahead. Release the lever to the start position and the "Wonder Cyclist" takes the bike for a nice arbitrary ride across a wooden floor with the attached bell ringing faintly; as in the video. Do not operate on a table as there is no telling which direction the toy will go in and it could fall off. One of the reasons for the toy's scarcity is that the figure sits in his seat solely and loosely by a pin attached to the underneath, which with rough play, would make the figure fall out. The piece is all original; with all original paint and no touch up; the boy is hand painted and the torso and head of the boy are aluminum (very unusual); so this toy maintains most of it's original paint; not common as paint did not adhere as well to aluminum as it did to metal. It is American, made by Louis Marx and Company in New York City circa 1930. Provenance: Recently acquired from a premier collection of tin toys in Los Angeles Dimensions: 9" high x 8 1/4" long x 4 3/4" wide 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:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Depth: 8.25 in (20.96 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1930
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973235804622

More From This Seller

View All
"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

"B.O. Plenty" Vintage Wind-Up Tin Toy by Marx Original Box. American, Circa 1935
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
"B.O. Plenty (printed on the back) is the name of this American made tin wind-up toy; named after the classic Dick Tracy comic book and radio character of the 1930's. In his hand he is holding his daughter, Baby Sparkle. Markings include the Marx logo to the rear "Made in The United States of America" in logo as well as location of manufacture, "New York, N,Y.". Vertically in small print on back of pants "By Permission of Famous Artists Syndicated Copyright By Chicago Tribune" (see images for markings), Markings on the box contribute to validating the genesis and name of the toy, and 200 fifth Avenue, New York address of the Marx Company, which was founded in 1919. Highly lithographed (comes with the very hard to find nice condition original box as well) this example is in excellent and all original condition with no restoration or touch up of any kind.Colors include; yellow shirt and hat. blue vest, brown striped pants, white and flesh tones to face and baby. The toy features B.O. Plenty with a "wise guy" look on his face, while holding his baby. When wound up he waddles back and forth, with his hat flying up in the air and back down again (see movie attached to this listing). The toy works great! Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 2 3/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys. See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose. 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...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"George The Drummer Boy" Tin windup Toy by Louis Marx, New York City. Circa 1930
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
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...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
By Marx Toy Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This original vintage friction activated toy sedan" Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not se...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin, Steel

"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 Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by Marx
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity. Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing). The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings. This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana. Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category

Vintage 1930s Folk Art Toys

Materials

Tin

You May Also Like

1930's Marx Marcrest Pressed Steel Pure Milk Dairy Toy Truck
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Van Nuys, CA
We have A white Marx Marcrest Pure Milk Dairy Truck modeled truck produced by Marx Toys, a prominent American toy company known for manufacturing a wide ra...
Category

Vintage 1920s Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Tin Litho Windup Toy by Louis Marx "Jumpin Jeep" C 1950
By Louis Marx and Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous colorful and full of unpredictable moves when fully wound. Louis Marx toy company was prolific during the mid century era producing a full array of tin windups. In excellent...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Industrial Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

A Kollel America Charity Container, New York Circa 1930
Located in New York, NY
A Kollel America Tiferet Jerusalem Charity Container from New York circa 1930 is tied to the charitable activities of Jewish immigrant communities in America raising donations for ca...
Category

Early 20th Century American Religious Items

Materials

Tin

Wonder Stories Calendar 1930s Covers by Gernsback-Frank R Paul Collectible
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mystery, Adventure, Romance, the magazine of prophetic fiction. Wonder Stories Calendar 1930s Covers by Gernsback-Frank R Paul Collectible. The Tragedy Of Spi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Books

Materials

Paper

Antique American Sterling Silver and Warthog Tusk Cigar Cutter, Circa 1920-1930.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American sterling silver and warthog tusk cigar cutter, circa 1920-1930.
Category

Early 20th Century American Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

American Brass Telegraph Mounted on Circular Mahogany Base Bendix NY, Circa 1930
By Bendix Corporation
Located in Charleston, SC
American brass ship's double engine order telegraph mounted on circular mahogany base. E. O. T. has been electrified and has a faint bell ring when changing positions. Bendix Corpor...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Mid-Century Modern Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass, Wire

Recently Viewed

View All