Nikko Gangu Kogyo ca.1950s Tin Lithographed Windup Bird in Box *SOLD*

Nikko Gangu Kogyo ca.1950s Tin Lithographed Windup Bird in Box

Date: Early Japan, 1950’s

Material: Tin

Company:  Nikko Gangu Kogyo (Nikko Toy Industry), Japan

Size: Over 5” Long approximately

Country of Origin: Japan

Condition: Excellent with box.  Bird’s beak has a slight flat spot at the tip.  Box is original with the flaps barely holding on, one with tape, and another with glue.  The original key is included and the feathers are original.

Notes:  The toy winds up, hops, then lowers to get a worm, then hops.  The action is quite incredible.  Box is original and near new, yet is quote old.

History: At the time this toy was made, prewar and occupied Japanese toy makers were looking towards Germany.  Here we have a very complex mechanism– The toy hops a few times, the head then turns back and forth, then the body lowers to “get the worm.”  We were fascinated to see such a complex mechanism without historical documentation (that we can find).