Vintage Japanese Toys

For Christmas, Jeff's mom gave us a toy. {It hide some cash too... ca-ching!}

We got the Worried Mother Duck and Baby. I was quite impressed with the condition they were both in. The boxes were both in great condition too, with all the original packing inserts. Roy and Cindy got the Playful Puppy with Caterpillar.

Jeff's mom wasn't sure how old or valuable they were. She said they were Jeff's Grandpa's toys that he played with as a kid. But as I searched online, I learned they were both 1950-1960 era Japanese toys. So probably not something Jeff's grandpa played with as a kid.

Here's the full scoop on Worried Mother Duck and Baby {courtesy of someone on Ebay}.

"Battery operated Worried Mother Duck and baby with box. The three correct actions of this toy when operating follow: Mother duck waddles forward, stops and starts again. Mother duck make realistic duck-like sounds. Head moves intermittingly with mouth opening and closing. Very amusing. The small wheel on the base can be adjusted to allow the Mother duck to move in a straight line or in a circular pattern. This is a "MADE IN JAPAN" toy listed in Don Hultzman's book, COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO BATTERY TOYS, copyright 2002, second edition. It is listed and pictured on page 207. It is a 1950's era toy made by the Kosuge Co. It also has the familiar " T-N " in a diamond logo on the toy and the box.  It has a rarity of 4 on a scale to 10 being the rarest, and a value of $250.00 in C-10 condition without the box. The box is in very good-excellent condition. It is complete with a clear tape repair on the inside of the lid. Also incuded are the original packaging inserts. Colorful box. Nice for display or storage. Would make a nice addition to any mechanical toy collection. Not often seen in this condition."

And what I could find on the Playful Puppy with Caterpillar.

"Vintage 1950s battery operated tin litho mechanical toy animal novelty by TM Modern Toys. Japan in original box. Playful Puppy features a googly-eyed grey dog (looks like a Schnauzer) sniffing mistrustfully at a springy red worm; the figures are positioned on a brightly decorated tin litho base that looks like a grassy lawn. The box has a wonderful illustrated artwork in true mid-century style. It's hard to find this scarce toy in any condition, and no wonder, it's great-looking collectible with appeal to spare. It's especially rare to find them with their original packaging."

I liked both of them but am happy to report that Mother Duck and her Baby are happily sitting in our living room.