Vintage Wind Up Toys

Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE

Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE

Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE
This very rare tin toy is marked "KO MADE IN JAPAN" on the top left of the base. This is the mark for Yoshiya / Kobe Yoko Ltd. Also, there are six oriental characters in the marking on the top right of the base which we are not able to read. There are four baseball players printed in the design. One player is shown on the left end of the toy standing next to a brick building.

He holds a bat down at his side. That player what looks to be the word "Icrici" on his uniform.

But, we are not certain of the letters. That player is swinging a bat. He has a similar word on his uniform. But, we are not sure that it is exactly the same as the other word. Near the middle top of the base is printed another player who has just pitched the ball. We cannot read any word on his uniform as his throwing arm covers up the top of his uniform. On the right end of the top of the base there is another player. This player is in a running posture.

We are guessing that he is fielding. But, we cannot be sure as the upright structures on the toy cover up the litho of the upper part of his body. We cannot read a name on his uniform. The toy measures 6 7/16 inches long by 6 3/8 inches tall by 3 1/8 inches across the base.

The toy has inclined platforms which the balls or marbles would roll down & come out of one of the two arches numbered 3 & 4. The balls would then roll down into the central tin section where they would be propelled up in a sort of escalator mechanism. The balls or marbles would go back up to the top where they would roll out & then begin their journey down again. The windup mechanism winds up & does activate with a little coaxing.

Then it stops & requires more coaxing to run a bit more & then repeats the process again with more coaxing. The mechanism probably needs some oiling & a bit of cleaning to get it to work smoothly. The toy also has a bell that rings occasionally when the mechanism is running. Currently we do not know if the windup mechanism works properly in its original intended function which was to escalate the balls or marbles back up to the top platform area of the toy as we do not have any balls or marbles to test it with. So, some adjustment would be necessary for it to work properly.

There are a few minor bends to the tin here & there. The bottom edges of the platform have several bends. There is a little separation at one bottom corner of the tin on the platform that needs to be bent back slightly.

There are some areas of minor wear & minor signs of rust. But, the toy retains the vast majority of its very colorful, charming, & extremely pleasing litho designs. There is very little loss to the lithography. A charming & fascinating early Japanese toy well worth adding to even the most advanced collection of early Japanese tin. This item is inventory #6435.

Is an estimate and the actual cost may differ. International Buyers - Please Note.

This item is in the category "Toys & Hobbies\Vintage & Antique Toys\Wind-up Toys". The seller is "imajgin" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Brand: KO
  • Year: 1910-1930's
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
  • Vintage: Yes


Ca. 1910-1930's JAPAN KO TIN WINDUP TOY BALL ROLL with BASEBALL PLAYERS, RARE