Early 20th Century Toys and Dolls

Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling very closely, buses of that era...

Early 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...

A Skookum doll was a Native American-themed doll, sold as a souvenir item in the early 20th century. They are all in different sizes. The last photo shows the dimensions (inch) of ea...

"Kadi" is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large t...

Children's Savings Coin Bank "U.S. Mail" bank , also known as a "still bank"; was American made, circa 1920. This is well made, sturdy, and all original. It is made of cast iron and ...

Americana Toy This is a tin, lithographed, windup Ham and Sam “The Minstrel Team” manufactured by the Ferdinand Strauss Company/Strauss Mfg. Co. of New York ...

Step into a time when craftsmanship was king with our beautifully handmade Hawaiian Doll from the early 20th century. This ceremonial gem is a rare find, embodying the true spirit of...

"Dancing Dog" is a fairly scarce toy to acquire, especially in this excellent condition and working order. Windup toy is lithographed and hand painted in colors of black and greenish grey, and the name "Spot" is printed in bold letters on the red collar. This is American made in the 1920's having been manufactured by the Lindstrom Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut; established in 1913. Markings to each side of the dog reveal its genesis; "The Lindstrom Tool and Toy Co.; Made in U.S.A." "Patent Applied For"; on the other side is "Dancing Dog". "Dancing Dog" is in excellent condition and is completely original with no repairs or repaint. It works perfectly and is quite amusing. To operate; wind up the attached key on the side, a couple of times; with front legs in the air, place down by his hind legs on a hard surface and watch "Spot" dance. He carries on for quite some time, dancing around in a circle and then side to side. (see attached video accompanying the listing). Dimensions: 5 1/4" wide x 4" high x 2 1/4" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired discerning West Coast Collection of tin toys. See my other listings of vintage 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 tin toys...

ABOUT This metal, mechanical bank includes a red plane mechanism for launching coins from the rocket into the moon. Works properly. Includes key to unlock the bottom to retrieve the ...

ABOUT A 1957 vintage mechanical bank by Astro, Model 1957-A. The trigger to launch the coin works well. You cock it by pulling it down, place t...

Founded in 1886, the A.C. Williams Toy Company in Ravenna, Ohio, manufactured this toy circa 1930. This cast iron truck car carrier loaded with three blue "Austin" sedans ("Austin" embossed on the side of each car) is completely original with no restoration of any kind, and is in original paint with no touch-up or repaint. I have black lighted everything to insure originality of paint. A red Mack truck hitched to a green trailer pulls the car carrier with it's three original cars; all nickel plated wheels on all vehicles are original. Other markings include #5, #11, and #1 on the inside of each car by rear axle; and #5 on the green trailer; #5 on the red truck. Wonderful piece of Americana in very nice condition; one or several of the cars usually are missing and/or typically repainted due to rough floor play. See my other listings of vintage toys. Dimensions: 12 1/2" long x 2" wide x 4 1/4" high. Each cast iron car...

This oddly beautiful, in a tragic way, puppet was made somewhere in the 20th century, as we are uncertain of their specific creation date. The plexiglass case around them was custom made for them specially, and has kept them safe all these years. You are able to take the puppet out of the case and maneuver it around like any other string puppet. They are dressed in a white, silk suit with black pom poms decorating the gown. Their expression is dramatic in a way that you almost cannot tell what emotion they are expressing; it is up to your interpretation. Great as a collectors item. PLEXIGLASS BOX Dimensions: 32.5"H x 10.5"W x 10.5"D We do local delivery close or in Los Angeles for fee. Will calculate shipping...

Liberty of London "King Henry the VIII" historical doll . Hand-sewn by two sisters, Ada and Kathleen Peat, from their Brighton, England home for the Liberty of London Department Store. This historical doll has a needle sculpted face with hand painted facial features and mohair wig, mustache and beard. He is almost 11" tall with a very portly cloth body and black felt shoes. A wonderful authentic period costume of felt, cloth, jewels, beading and metallic trim. Unfortunately he is missing his cloth hands. He comes with a gray metal doll stand...

A porcelain little girl doll pin cushion, circa early-20th century. This porcelain doll, with pin cushion dress, is shown with beautiful face, rosey ...

All four toys cars are being sold for one price; as a lot. Please see descriptions below. Videos available on request (they display operation). 1) Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930 This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930. This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly lithographed and painted in red and yellow, with grey and red balloon wheels. All tin, this car is quite scarce and well proportioned and stream lined with a visor over the windshield, a fancy checkered, red and yellow running board, and three cut out windows to each side of the car; very luxurious and cool looking. Markings consist of "N.J.-44"; the word "Stop" in a logo of some kind; and Chein logo attesting to "Made in U.S.A." manufacture. (see image). Also "marked" and of note are the tires "Chein Balloon Cord" "U.S.A." and "33 x 6 00.6 Ply" Car is from my own collection and is in very good and all original condition with no touch-up paint or repaint, and no restoration of any kind; fabulous colors and presence. The car works fine; see video for operation of the limousine (on request).. Dimensions: 7 1/4" long x 3 1/2" wide x 3" high 2) Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted. The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories. This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images). The action and friction functionality works well (see video on request). Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window. Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows. Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high. Note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work. 3) Vintage Free Wheeling Green Lithographed All Tin Racing Car. French, Circa 1930 Circa 1930's free wheeling green lithographed all tin racing car, with attached pressed steel driver; it is probably of French manufacturer (the only time I have seen for sale was from a French toy dealer). This scarce toy has markings resembling early racing cars with the streamlined style graphics in yellow and green; standard grill; exhaust four manifolds to each side, and a spare tire attached to the rear; looks like an early Le Mans type car with the spare (see images). Other markings include the number "3:" on each side; "510 x 1" on the rear tire"; and probably the makers mark and logo, which I can't identify, on the top right behind the driver (see images). Not being a wind-up or a friction toy, this racing car was pushed across the floor by hand or/and used as an accessory in a toy train layout setup. The car is in excellent and all original condition (remarkable for a nearly 100 year old floor toy), with no dents, no touch-up paint and absolutely no restoration.. Provenance: From my own collection of toys and banks, having been purchased 33 years ago in 1990. Dimensions: 8 1/4" long x 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" high 4) Lehman Auto "Ito" Sedan, Germany, circa 1913 This hand-painted German tin toy was manufactured by the "Lehman Toy Company" in Brandenburg, Germany beginning in 1913. It was made for a number of years after that, enjoying about a 20 year run. Entitled "Ito" it operates by winding up the attached key wind mechanism, placing it on the floor, and watching it go. The car is in very good all original condition with no repairs and no repaint. It runs well. There are a number of markings on the car including "Lehman" with the corresponding logo and the number 679 on the rear. The side of the has the patent information "Pat'd 12 May 1903; 13 Sept. 1904; and U.S.A. 2 Dec. 1913". Hand-painted nicely in red and black with black and gold trim; the hand-painted driver is in blue with flesh tones to the face. Dimensions: 7" long x 3" wide x 3 1/2" 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 and banks; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...

ABOUT An early 20th century French elephant pull-toy covered in fabric with glass eyes mounted on a steel platform with steel and rubber wheels. CREATOR Unknown. Made in Franc...

ABOUT Jointed wooden giraffe manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the Humpty Dumpty Circus collection. Made from c...

This wooden horse from 20th century France sheds a playful light on the stories of daily life that antiques tell. The timeworn aesthetic shows both the nature of the wood and the rus...

Early 20th century child’s miniature / dollhouse porcelain tea set featuring gently scalloped edges with gilded foliate accents and a printed patter...

ABOUT Jointed wooden lion manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the "Humpty Dumpty Circus" collection. Made from ca...

ABOUT Jointed wooden Tiger manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the "Humpty Dumpty Circus" collection. Made from c...

ABOUT Jointed wooden lion manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the "Humpty Dumpty Circus" collection. Made from ca...

ABOUT Jointed wooden lion manufactured in the 1900s by the Schoenhut Piano Company as part of the "Humpty Dumpty Circus" collection. Made from ca...

An original Armand Marseille doll, with a Bisque head and hands. Her feet wear red socks. Beautiful blue glass-fixed eyes and her parted lips show her...

Beautiful Armand Marseille 14" bent knee baby in her factory original clothing and mohair wig. Her bisque socket head is good with no evidence of mish...

Antique Hertel Schwab baby doll. Measures approximately 13.5 inches in height. Beautiful blue glass sleep eyes with painted upper and lower lashes. Painted eyebrows. Open mouth with ...

ABOUT Contact us for more shipping options: S16 Home San Francisco. An early 20th century carved wooden horse pull-toy covered in fabric with glass eyes, leatherette ears, leather...

An original Armand Marseille doll, etched into the bisque at her nape with a Bisque head and hands. Her feet wear perfect little red leather shoes wit...

Perhaps the wildest action of all the Lehman toys, said to resemble Ernest Paul Lehman's temperament (founder of the company), "Balky Mule" was first manufactured in 1897 in Berlin (Brandenburg), and had a multi decade run; this example is from around 1909 (see image with markings to the rear of the carriage). The toy is catalogued as "EPL #425" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982. To operate the toy; wind up the attached clockwork key on the underneath of the carriage and place the toy on the floor. Do not over-wind and be gentle, as the toy is aggressive and over 100 years old. The toy will go backwards and forward, and the clown will pop up and down as the cart goes in several different directions across the floor until it winds down (see video accompanying the listing for guidance). The toy is found broken and/or inoperable, more often than not, because of the rough action, and typical abuse by children (after all, it was a toy). This example is in very nice original condition and works well. The lithography and hand paint is bright and original with no touch up or repaint. The hand paint is; flesh tones to the face of the clown, red trousers, orange hair, and grey paint to the seat of the carriage. The clothing to the clown figure is still intact and all original. The lithography to the wheels features brightly colored clowns and a German marking logo. What is really unusual is the fact that the donkey still has all four of its loosely attached original legs, considering the aggressive action of the toy. The metal on the donkey is actually treated with "fabric like" paint, to simulate fur. All in all this is a really cool toy and a "must have" for the collector of tin toys, or someone who simply wants a wonderful example of an early, "turn of the century" iconic wind up toy. Provenance: Recently acquired from a prominent toy collection in Los Angeles, California Dimensions: 7 1/2" long x 3" wide x 5" 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 and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...

An original Armand Marseille doll, etched into the bisque at her nape is her edition number “370 AM-2/0X-DEP”. Bisque head and hands. Her feet wear pe...

Antique Hertel Schwab baby doll. Measures approximately 13.5 inches in height. Beautiful blue glass sleep eyes with painted upper and lower lashes. Painted eyebrows. Open mouth with ...

Antique Hertel Schwab baby doll 152/6 for Louis Wolf & Company. Measures approximately 15 inches in height. Beautiful blue glass sleep eyes with painted upper and lower lashes. Paint...

A wooden and metal horse tricycle created in France circa 1900. Vibrant yet seasoned and matured, this sprung horse glides on metal wheels that roll it gracefully into modernity. Thr...

Antique mid century model of a wooden and metal horse carriage in 18th century style.

Antique 18 piece child’s miniature / doll sized porcelain tea set, hand painted with pink roses on a cream border with gilded accents. Set includes ...

An Eastlake period carved rocking horse made of fruitwood. Beautifully carved throughout with attentive backward facing ears, round eyes and a cur...

A Japanese doll with a powdered face and silk clothing and tall headdress from the early 1900s, during the Taisho period. Introducing a Japanese treasure from the early 20th century,...

Fabulous and a survivor of almost 100 years old. A very decorative piece to lighten a room and inject some fun. Very chic. In excellent antique condition with lots of patina. Door fo...

This is a collection of 5 early sand toys. The look is very graphic. The are makers are McDowell, Chein, Wolverine and Ohio Art. They date from the 1920s. Con...

1900s Antique Terracotta Majestic Horse on Wheeled Platform San Luis Potosí Mexico Collectible Toy Sculpture 9 long x 8 h x 3 w Terracotta horse. Mounte...

Beautiful 1930s Austrian horse toy. Wonderful patina.

Early 20th century doll furniture miniature wardrobe featuring a bamboo frame, mirrored door and lower drawer for accessories.

A vintage composition Pinocchio doll by Knickerbocker Toy company, likely from the 1930s. The doll’s back is embossed with “Pinocchio - W.D. PR KNT CO -...

Antique wooden doll sized high chair with foot rest and swing arm tray. Measure: 26"

Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book. The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind. This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item. Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...

Antique Welsh costume cloth doll of a man in a brown formal tux style suit, reminiscent of 17th century Pilgrims, with delicately painted face and wool clot...

Antique Topazio sterling silver 925 baby rattle in the shape of a chicken / rooster / farm animal on a stick; made in Portugal. Measures: 2” x 0.75” x 4.25” / 19.3 g (Width x Dept...

Antique carved Thai Burmese Ramayana Warrior marionette string puppet. Hand made from wood featuring ornate beaded clothing / attire.  

Antique child’s bicycle, the Mobo Tot-Cycle by Sebel Products of England. Features a well worn steel frame with red and white paint job, rubber tires a...

A charming and whimsical hand carved and painted wooden and fur fabric rocking horse with untouched, unrestored, elegantly aged patina. Very unique pattern and beautiful complime...

Nostalgic opportunity. A pair (2) of hard to find America's Santa sleighs with bird head finials. Rare early hand cast iron sculptures remarkably stil...

"Antique early 20th century Wiefel & Company doll with bisque head by Armand Marseille, sleep eyes, composite hands, wood lengs, and soft body, marked “1908 DEP W & Co 121 AM” on back of head and dressed in a lace edged dress and floppy hat. “In 1912 Erste Steinbacher Porzellanfabrik was sold to Hugo Wiefel and renamed Wiefel & Company, thus a new doll mark was used of W & Co or W & C with or without a doll mold number. By 1914 Wiefel's manufacturing was shut down because of World War I and restarted up again in 1918, although it doesn't appear that bisque doll...

1900S Hand painted Pierrot the cast iron mechanical penny bank clown. Very colorful mechanical bank known as the Humpty Dumpty Bank and shows a clow...

Rare antique German paper mache composition bobble head mule / donkey / horse pull toy figure standing with a small feed manger on a platform rollin...

Large antique German spun cotton wool Santa Claus Christmas ornament doll with hand painted composition face. Measure: 9".

This Chinese opera hand puppet is dress in an elegant, embroidered silk dragon robe. The puppet head is of painted wood. The white face usually represents a villain. Puppetry is a major entertainment performance art in Chinese traditional theatre. This traditional performance art was widely used in religious and rural events to exorcise evil spirits. Puppets are also used in festivals such as the Chinese Ghost Festival to scare away ghosts, as well as significant events including births or marriage or to entertain audiences. The puppet theatre has developed into several different genres amongst different areas in China including rod puppets, glove puppets, shadow puppets and string puppets...

A French papier-mâché growler bulldog with pull chain which makes a growler noise when pulled. Circa 1900, France.

Antique toy mohair horse with primitive milk wagon. Wagon has metal cans and original wood wheels. Wheels on front are 4.5" and back 6.5". Great original pa...