Cragstan/ALPS Tin Lithographed Battery Operated #774 “The Drumming Clown Charlie” Melody Band in Box *SOLD*

Cragstan/ALPS Tin Lithographed Battery Operated #774 “The Drumming Clown Charlie” Melody Band in Box 

This piece is a tin, lithographed, battery-operated #774 “The Drumming Clown Charlie” Melody Band in box manufactured for Cragstan of New York by ALPS/Alps Shoji Ltd. of Japan.   

Cragstan was a marketing and distribution firm from New York and imported post-war Japanese battery-operated and mechanical friction toys. The company’s main focus was on toys with multiple mechanical actions, for example, robots. They made sure the company name and logo appeared on their packaging in which they were sold.    

When the switch is turned into the on position, Charlie’s nose lights up, he begins to bang on the drums and cymbals and pound the bass with his foot. This is a working example of this toy. The battery compartment is clean and free of corrosion. There is a heart sticker on the drum, more than likely placed there by the kid who took such great care of this toy over the years. The box is in very good condition. 

This piece is in great all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 7 ½” L x 4” W x 9” H. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.   

A brief history of Cragstan Industries Inc.  of New York City, New York:

1954-1988

Founder: Craig Stanton

Cragstan Industries Inc. or more simply Cragstan was an importing, marketing, and distribution firm from New York that imported post-war Japanese battery-operated and mechanical friction toys. The company’s main focus was on toys with multiple mechanical actions, for example, robots.

In the 1960s Cragstan had branches in New Jersey and California and they then began distributing diecast toys. By the 1980’s they specialized in distributing several types of toys such as tin toys, diecast toys, automotive vehicles, airplanes, trains, rockets, machines, xylophones, walkie-talkies, telescopes, microscopes, film projectors, toy guns, tricycles, space toys, mechanical toys, novelty toys, pull toys, windup toys, water toys, dolls, simulated drag racing sets, toy rocket game sets, toy track sets automobiles, Christmas tree decorations, banks, and water and pool toys. Cragstan made sure the company name and logo appeared on the packaging in which they were sold no matter which manufacturer made them.

A brief history of ALPS/Alps Shoji Ltd. of Japan: 

ALPS made battery-operated mechanical toys (robots, cars, musical chimps, clowns, wind-up animals) and produced some of the better-quality Japanese toys throughout the post-war years. Alps Shoji Ltd. Tokyo, Japan was founded in 1948 and was specialized in toy vehicles and novelties.