San Francisco Trolley toy Friction cable car; made of ALL TIN; important to note because this was the first of it’s kind having been made in the 1950’s—they were all tin (no plastic); 7 1/4″ long (not shorter); green (not red or multi-clored); “Bay and Taylor St” placard; #504″ and most importantly—-the figures are actual FIGURES made of formed pressed steel and then hand painted and lithographed. Cheaper later models were simply lithographed into the flat sheet steel. Also, my example works (request short 8 second video)—it is a friction toy, while others are simply free rolling. A friction toy worked by rubbing the wheels along the floor a few times while holding the toy in your hand; then placing it on the floor and releasing it—-watch it go. So, ——this is an ORIGINAL while many others out there are later versions.
Though unmarked, this particular example was made by the Hishimo Sangyou Toy Company, left unlabeled probably because of the anti Japanese sentiment early on after the war.
This cable car toy is in excellent and all original condition. There is no repaint or touch-up of any kind and no restoration. If you want a San Francisco toy cable car for your collection; this is the one you want.
Dimensions: 7 1/4″ long x 2 1/4″ wide x 3 3/8″ high
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 banks; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace