1936 Marx, Popeye (Honeymoon) Express in Original Box
Magnificent mechanical tin litho circular toy with all original parts, no restoration, and spectacular complete original box. Definitely the highest grade example toy and box I've seen in 30 years. Purchased from the Oklahoma estate of the original owner. Of the possible 40+ variations of the "honeymoon express" circular toys produced by the Marx Company the Popeye Express version is by far the most scarce and most desirable. That's especially true when a high grade example like this one surfaces for the first time. Even more irrefutable is when you consider its completeness having its extraordinarily rare box. The high grade condition is incomparable. Of the scant few boxes I've seen, I know of none better. The design of the Popeye Express is more elaborate than any of the other "express" toys. The outer edge was lithoed red and shows several head illustrations of Popeye. Concentric blue and white rings of "track" lead to the green pasture and forest in the center. Olive, several children, and a nearby cow look skyward. Dead center lies Popeye's three dimensional "Blow Me Down Airport" hanger which houses the spring wound motor. The wind-up key pokes through the roof along with the removable extension rod which holds the Popeye airplane. Unlike most of the "express" toys which use a flat airplane, Popeye's lithoed plane has a wide semi-circular fuselage. A two-sided flat Popeye waves from the cockpit. The propeller is chrome plated. The M-10000 style train has character portraits along with their corresponding names on the roof. It speeds through a camouflaged bridge and two tunnels marked "Hamburgers" with Wimpy and cook Sappo on the sides. A lever on one of the tunnels starts and stops the train. Also unique to this toy is a two sided, circular, full color illustrated cardboard insert fastened to the base and bridge. It shows an angry motorcycle cop "chasing" the train, Olive Oil and Swee'Pea, Wimpy and Sappo. The insert, which is typically missing, is original to this toy. The beautifully box is "busy" with illustrations. The cover features Popeye whizzing past several houses. He waves as he passes over the train. His airplane is marked "Spinachovia". An angry Olive with her head stuck out one window shakes her fist at him. A motorcycle cop racing alongside the train also looks up as Popeye flies by. The four side panels have the name of the toy flanked by repeating illustrations of Olive, Wimpy and Sappo on one end, and Popeye slamming another guy with a right to the jaw on the other. The back side of the box is blank. One of the side panels still has the partial remains of its original price sticker. Size: 9¼" diameter. Sold: Jun. 2005
Price Sold: $ 3550
