c.1950 Chein, No.39 Mechanical Aquaplane in Original Box
Exceptionally high grade example of the classic Chein transportation toy complete with beautifully illustrated original box. Manufactured completely of lithographed tinplate with long running clockwork motor. Its twin pontoons allowed the Aquaplane to skim across a water surface making it one Chein's most popular toys. It was sold for 30 years with only lithograph changes. Brilliant red, yellow, blue, white, and black litho showing portraits of passengers and pilot in the windows. Richly detailed with Army Air Corps wing insignias, multicolored engine with pistons and exhaust, and pinstriped fuselage. Wings and propeller were embossed to provide additional strength and prevent them from bending. Flared wing tips, "V-shaped" pontoon supports, and yellow propeller date its production to just after 1949. The awesome box features a text-free color illustration of the Aquaplane landing on a river in front of a U.S. outpost. Endflaps include the same drawing and add the name and catalog number of the toy. Side panels are all text, but the blue water theme was maintained. Size: 8" long, 7½" wingspan, 4½" tall. Sold: Jan. 2007
Price Sold: $ 431
