c.1958 Linemar, Mechanical Donald Duck Climbing Fireman in Original Box
Awesome mechanical tin litho toy featuring Donald as a climbing fireman complete with its scarce original box. This four part toy includes the climbing Donald, a two section ladder and a lithographed base. Similar to other climbing toys the feet move up and down in opposite directions, while the hands fit around the ladder poles. This realistically gives the impression of walking while causing the figure to move upwards. The base shows several Disney characters dressed in fire gear. They're in various stages of fighting the fire. This is one of the more difficult Linemar Donald Duck toys to find especially with the original box. Although there are no known variations of the toy apparently there are two versions of the box. I could find no reference to the box design that's in this auction. The catalog number it is #J-5177. Instead, Pinsky's Volume 3, book on Marx toys lists it as Linemar catalog number #J-5137. It features a smiling Donald climbing a ladder leaning against a brick building. He's holding a fire hose and is shooting water through an open window. The side panels have a happy Donald portrait in his fire hat. The endflaps duplicate this happy smile. In contrast my box shows a rather stern looking Donald climbing his ladder, but minus the fire hose and smile. The side panels show him falling in midair against a yellow, orange, and red back ground. His fire hat hovers several feet above him. The endflaps show a down-right, mean looking Donald. Most likely the angry looking Donald design without a hose was replaced by the more benevolent, helpful version. Size: Donald 5" tall. Ladder: 13-1/2". Sold: Aug. 2005
Price Sold: $ 736
