Collecting old tin toys has continued to be an exciting tradition thoughout history. Beginning as early as the 1800’s when many tinplate toys came from German companies. Bing (1863), Fleischman (1887), Lehmann (1881),Gunthermann (1880) and Marklin (1859). These companies developed and set the high standards for the Germany tinplate industry.
Companies in Europe began to surface. The Rossignol factory in France and the British Chad Valley, a Company first established in 1823 trading under the name of "Chad" and later, in 1919, "Chad Valley Toys". Louis Marx, an American Company with a British subsidiary (1932-1961) produced a huge variety of unusual novelty items, including some tinplate toys.
Japan also had been a major producer in tin toys for as long as the Europeans, but it was not until the late 1940's, 50's and 60's that production reached its height.
The United States is where mass produced tin toys began, opening the floodgates for an industry which thrived well into late 1950’s. American companies such as Marx Toys 1940s, J. Chein and Co. founded in 1903, Wolverine U.S.A. and the Ohio Art Company carried on the tradition and produced many of the highly sought after old tin toys found on the market today.
Now that you are familiar with the History of Tin Toys, please select a category from our store and sit back and enjoy the beauty of years ago.