1957 Linemar Popeye Olive Oyl Playing Ball with Original Box
Unusual dual wind-up mechanical tin litho toy featuring Popeye and Olive Oyl. Rare toy in incredible near mint condition. Comes complete with beautifully illustrated original box which is also in near mint condition! Even the original insert is still inside the box. The toy is all tin litho including the large yellow and red ball, and fold-out base. On either end of the 19" long platform are 3-dimensional figures of Popeye and Olive; he with his full original pipe, and she with her full original rubber hair-bob. It's a very unusual toy in that each figure has its own internal clockwork mechanism. In other words they wind-up separately using their own attached key. The ball strikes the arms pushing them downwards. This activates the motor which clicks the arms, upwards, back into place forcing the ball to the opposite side. The Popeye box is triangular shape. It's seldom seen. The toy folds in half at the center to fit securely inside without moving. Every panel has a different, brilliantly colored illustration. Only the bottom is blank white. It still has its original "2/$1.00" Montgomery Ward price sticker on the front. TPS made an identical toy called Bear Playing Ball. The size and actions are identical as well as the very unusual shape of the box. They may have manufactured this toy for Linemar. Size: 19" long. Figures 4" tall. Ball 1½" diameter. Sold: Nov. 2010
Price Sold: $ 1280
