1961 Linemar, Mechanical Hopping The Three Little Pigs (Violin) in Original Box
The actual name of Linemar's mechanical tin litho three little pigs toys can be found inside the box, underneath the last layer of folded cardboard used to make up the roof. "Mechanical Hopping Big Bad Wolf and The Three Little Pigs" as it was titled was printed on this layer along side one of the pigs. The panel folds up straight against the back of the roof. but I left it in place for the photo. In Greenberg's Guide to Marx Toys, Volume III, the word "rare" was actually used to describe the frequency with which this toy is found. The boxes are even more difficult to locate. This example of the violin playing Pig is in spectacular mint condition. The magnificent box is in an excellent+ condition. Surely one of the highest grading toy and box combinations I've seen. The Pig dressed in green shirt and cap with red bow tie, rosy red cheeks and salmon colored feet carries a violin under one arm and a violin bow in the other. As with many other Linemar clockwork toys of this type he'll hop around in different directions while making a clicking sound. He works beautifully. The box is unique in that the four panels fold up to make an apex slate roof. The four boxes from the series (three pigs plus one wolf) all fit together to form sort of a "condo pig house". The full color side panels show 1) the playful pigs inside their house of brick with the wolf trying to get in through the window, 2) the wolf blowing down the house of wood (sticks), and 3) the wolf huffing and puffing down the house of straw. A clear cellophane window makes up the fourth box panel. One roof panel still has the original price sticker. Size: 4½". Sold: May 2006
Price Sold: $ 383
