Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Johnny" The Dancing Clown by Lindstrom Toy Co., Circa 1930

$435
£322.79
€376
CA$605.52
A$674.30
CHF 350.94
MX$8,314.09
NOK 4,469.47
SEK 4,200.87
DKK 2,805.44
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

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 up and released on a flat surface, it depicts "Johnny" the clown aggressively dancing around in circles (see the attached video with this listing). The condition is very good and completely original with zero repairs. The red paint to the front of the clown is a little bit faded; albeit, there is no paint touch up anywhere and no additions to the lithography. The toy is pretty scarce. Markings include "Johnny" on his back; "Lindstrom Made in U.S.A" and "Pat. Applied For" lower legs (see images). Dimensions: 8" high x 3" deep x 3 1/4" wide 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 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: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 3.13 in (7.96 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Tin,Metalwork
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1930
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973238589542

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 "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 "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 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

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 "Happy Hooligan" "Rolly Dolly" By Schoenhut Toy Co. German, Circa 1901
By Schoenhut
Located in Incline Village, NV
Proverbial comic character toy of the era "Happy Hooligan" was recreated by the Schoenhut Toy Company at the turn of the century calling them a "Rolly Do...
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Folk Art Toys

Materials

Composition

You May Also Like

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

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

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

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

Whimsical Italian ceramic Clown Coin Saver Signed Italy
By Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical Italian ceramic Clown Coin Saver Signed Italy , circa 1950's unique collectible piece charming hand painted .
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Handmade Clown Ceramic by Titorini Siade 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Hand made Italian clown ceramic
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic