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Marx Merry Makers Vintage Wind-Up Toy 1930s

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,600.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Marx Merry Makers Vintage Wind-Up Toy 1930s
This is an original Marx Merry Makers tin wind-up toy, produced in the early 1930's. It is in very good, complete and working condition, and comes in the original box.
Just wind it up, slide the lever to ON, and you'll be entertained by the musical antics of this merry band of mice. The conductor sways his baton and arm up and down, the pianist moves to an imaginary rhythm, and the dancer bops around. The drummer's lever moves, but he apparently needs some slight adjustment to get his arms to keep the beat.
The litho is very good, with some light wear to the front edges of the piano, on the back of the chairs, and to the drum from normal play. The drummer's chair has a slight dent in back, and the pianist's chair has a dent in front, but neither is noticeable when the toy is set up and viewed from the front.
The box has wear and tears, and some taping, but just to have the original box makes this extra special. The back side of the box is actually in very good condition, and it will be great to display.
The dimensions of the toy altogether are 5 x 9 x 9 inches.
This toy is well loved by collectors for its original mechanical design, and its terrific Art Deco styling. There is also interest in the way Mickey Mouse may have inspired these musical mice. The resemblance to Mickey from this period is obvious. Louis Marx, however, decided not to get his toy licensed by Disney, and instead created his own versions of the popular character.
This Marx Merry Makers toy with the original box will be welcome in any toy collection.