1952 Chein, No.172 Disneyland Mechanical Ferris Wheel in Original Box
Magnificent excellent++ to near mint in box example of the classic Disneyland Mechanical Ferris wheel built by J. Chein & Co. All tin litho construction with long running spring wound motor. Comes complete with outstanding original box. It was purchased from the estate of the original owner. Six spoke Ferris wheel features most of the Disney characters that were popular during the mid-1950's. My research indicated that the sale of this toy was to coincide with the opening of the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, CA. Although it may have been built for that purpose it was released several years prior to the park opening. All six cars are identical featuring Mickey, Donald, and Pluto. A large Mickey portrait replaced the winking smiling face hub found on the Chein Hercules Ferris wheel toys. Structurally the Disneyland and Smiling Face Hercules Ferris wheels are identical. The toy revolves for a fairly long time with just one winding. As it turns a rotating red, white, and blue disk on the front above Mickey's portrait strikes an adjacent bell. The toy works great! The base has two illustrations showing several different Disney characters in a carnival fair setting. It was repeated on the opposite side panels. I can't recall another toy that included Dweedledee and Dweeledum from Alice in Wonderland. The corrugated box has an amusing portrait of the smiling face hub on both sides. The same illustration and product number was used for both the Disney and Smiling Face Hercules toys. The boxes are identical although some of the Disney boxes have a hinged lid. In this case the box has the standard two opening endflaps. The top flap is also lightly penciled "1952 Xmas Grandma". Size: 17" x 12" x 5". Sold: Mar. 2007
Price Sold: $ 1225
