Rare 1930's JAPAN Tin & Celluloid Prewar Wind Up Toy

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This auction is for a wonderful old marked MADE IN JAPAN tin and celluloid wind up toy. This toy’s action is quite amusing, depicting a dog chasing a cat around a dog house. When wound, the dog figure is set into motion traveling around the dog house to a point when the two arms supporting the cat and dog contact one another above the dog house causing the cat to run away from the dog. The cat stays just ahead of the dog and after a couple of turns around the dog house the dog will reverse direction and circle back behind the cat and the whole chase starts again in the opposite direction. Our research has lead us to believe that the name of this toy is KENNEL FROLICS and that the boxes these toys were packaged in were not marked with the maker’s name or logo, just MADE IN JAPAN. This auction does NOT include the box for the toy. The shape of the key and construction technique along with the celluloid figures and quality of the litho give us the impression of this possibly being made during the 1930’s. This is made very similarly to the Fox Hunt wind up toy made by ALPS in the 1930’s that we sold about three months ago. We could only find a couple of other examples of this Kennel Frolics toy, neither of which gave any date or manufacturers names, but one was in its' original box and titled "KENNEL FROLICS". The toy is in excellent condition except for the area at the connection between the wire that holds them up and the celluloid figures, at this point the figures, while still firmly attached to the wheels, are split (see close-up photos). This does not affect the operation of the toy as the figures are NOT loose on their mounts, they are still safely attached. The toy measures almost 12” across when the dog and cat are on opposite sides of the dog house and the dog house is about 3” tall. The toy works best with only a light winding of the key; this will send the toy into action for a few trips around the dog house! With the clean and bright litho and excellent color on the celluloid this amusing and rare Japan wind up toy will make an excellent addition to your wind up toy collection! Please see our other auctions this week for more nice old tin wind up toys! Please look at all pictures and email any questions you may have prior to bidding, as all sales are final. If you would like additional photos, we would be more than happy to email them to you. Buyers must pay through Paypal only & payment must be made within 3 days of the end of the auction. International buyers, we will not lie about the value on customs forms nor say that the item is a "Gift". International buyers are responsible for knowing their customs regulations and whether or not this item is allowed to be imported. You are also responsible for all duties and/or fees that your country charges for importing. Please do not bid if you do not agree with the above terms. Winning bidder to pay shipping based on their location. This item will be shipped U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail within the U.S. and First Class Mail International outside the U.S. Insurance is optional on this item (U.S. buyers only), however, if you choose not to purchase insurance, we will not be responsible if the item is lost or damaged in the mail. Insurance is not available via First Class Mail International, so if you are an international bidder and would like to have the item insured, please ask for a quote for Priority Mail International. We DO NOT charge any handling or packaging fees. Buyer pays only ACTUAL shipping cost, and if the Ebay calculator overestimates the cost, we will refund the overcharge to you. Thanks for looking!!! read more

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