1928 Marx, The Big Parade in Original Box
The Big Parade was one of four toys produced by Marx that were known as "Traffic Simulating Toys". It's a wind-up, spring driven mechanical tin litho toy, built in appreciation of the gallant soldiers who fought and died in WWI. This outstanding example is in excellent+ to near mint condition. It's still has its original circling Aeroplane and it works beautifully. Most importantly it comes complete with its exceptionally scarce original box. The parade street measure 2 feet long. A Red Cross Ambulance and six pairs of two-dimensional soldiers, marching or on horseback, traverse from one end to the other. They march past two groups of skyscrapers, through two arches decorated in red, white and blue drapery, and past a reviewing grandstand packed with onlookers. On either end are two, three dimensional buildings decorated with marching soldiers. The procession turns as they pass through them. One of these buildings houses the motor. The attached key protrudes through its roof. The start/stop switch is located on the side of this building. A tin litho Aeroplane connects to this same building and rotates overhead while the cavalcade passes below. The plane is attached separately and is frequently missing or reproduced. The box features an awesome full length panel illustration depicting the Big Marching marching through a city street. It accurately echoes every scene from the toy. Thousands of onlookers crowd the sidewalks as the troops on horseback and on foot march in procession through two gigantic arches draped with U.S. flags. A building stands on either end draped in U.S. regalia. Lastly, three Aeroplanes circle overhead. One feature I found interesting is a small ¼", perfectly circular hole punched through one end of the box cover. When the toy is placed inside the box the keyhole which connects the Aeroplane becomes centered directly under this hole. This allows the plane to attach to the toy while it's still inside the box and proved to be an excellent marketing strategy (see photo's that are three up from the bottom). A second factory made circular hole on the opposite end remains unpunched with the original cardboard still intact. The toy originally sold at Sears for $1.00 Size: 24" x 3½" x 3". Sold: Dec. 2005
Price Sold: $ 3150
