Manufactured circa 1935 by The J. Chein Company in Harrison, New Jersey, this vintage tin toy, when wound up, depicts a young boy in islander garb, trying to ride an alligator who dashes across the floor opening and closing his mouth.
Unlike most examples of this toy, my “Boy Riding An Alligator” is in near mint condition and the best example of this toy that I have ever had, thus it is from my own collection. It is in completely all original condition, with bright crisp colors of, yellow, red, and green, to the surface, and complete coverage to the lithography. The boy is complete, and there are no missing parts or any paint loss, and the toy works great (see video upon request to the listing). It looks like it has hardly been played with.
To operate: wind up the attached clockwork key; place the toy on the floor. The alligator races across the surface, as the boy riding him bounces up and down, while holding the original string reins controlling the alligator’s mouth opening and closing.
Dimensions: 15″ long x 3 1/4″ wide x 3 1/2″ high
Provenance: From my own personal Clive Devenish Collection since 1985 when acquired from a prominent American tin toy collection
See my other listings of vintage toys.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children’s playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described.
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys that I have listed for sale; it would create an immediate quality collection, as most of these toys came, either from a long time premium California collection or from my own shelves. It would take quite some time and effort to accumulate toys this clean, authentic, original, operable and in excellent condition.