Horikawa (SH)Tin Lithographed Battery Op. “Dino-Robot” Japanese Toy in Box *SOLD*

Horikawa (SH)Tin Lithographed Battery Op. “Dino-Robot” Japanese Toy in Box

This toy stands out as one of the most innovative and groundbreaking creations of the 20th century. Designed to captivate kids, it features walking motion followed by a surprising head-splitting action, revealing a dinosaur head below. Manufactured by S.H. Horikawa, this Battery Operated Dino-Robot in Gray showcases a clean battery compartment and functions smoothly, with its walking legs halting as the body splits open to reveal the dino head, complete with sparkling and jaw-chomping action. After closing, the toy resumes walking. Standing at approximately 11.5 inches high, this toy is notoriously difficult to find, and our offering is in exceptional condition. It comes with its original box, which is in good condition.

A brief history of Horikawa Toy Industrial Co., Ltd. (SH) of Tokyo, Japan:

1959 – 1989

Founder: Unknown

Specialty: Horikawa Toy Industrial Co., Ltd. was founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1959 and operated until the late 1980s. Their trademark was an “SH” in a black diamond. They were a major Japanese wholesaler and one of the most successful post-WWII Japanese battery-operated toy makers. Horikawa specialized in battery-operated robots and space toys, as well as vintage-style vehicles. Their toys were popular and can be found in various unique variations. However, they didn’t receive the same level of respect from collectors as some other major toy makers of the time.

During the 1960s, Horikawa competed with successful Japanese toy manufacturers like Yoshiya, Nomura, and Yonezawa. Like many traditional toy manufacturers, Horikawa faced challenges in the 1970s due to the rise of plastic toys and changing market trends. Eventually, the company ceased production, and its original operation ended in the late 1980s.

In 1989, Metal House, which was established in 1943 as Marumiya and continues to this day, took over Horikawa and merged with the company. Many people mistakenly believed that Metal House manufactured the toys themselves, as Horikawa had produced a significant number of works for Metal House. Metal House replicated and reproduced many of Horikawa’s designs but in limited quantities.

Some of the designs carried over from Horikawa to Metal House include the Super Space Giant and the Star Strider, which are still produced today. The Star Strider is notable as Horikawa’s last all-tin toy robot design. During the transitional period between the closure of Horikawa and the establishment of Metal House, both companies’ names appeared on the boxes of some of their toys.