1933 Marx, Mechanical Monkey Cyclist in Original Box
Neat tin litho mechanical toy featuring a monkey critter peddling a large tricycle. Comes complete with original illustrated box. Colorful toy activated with push-down mechanism. Pushing down on the lever stretches an internal spring which is attached to several gears. When you let go of the spring it pulls the gears which rotate the rear axle. Simple, yet ingenious. This all tin litho toy was produced in two variations. This example is the earlier version. The later version had fiber board legs. A nearly identical toy called the Bear Cyclist was also manufactured by Marx. Neither the monkey or the bear look like the animal they're supposed to represent, but that's what makes them so attractive. The original box shows the speeding Monkey Cyclist illustrated on three panels. The facial features look more simian on the box, but are still a long way off from reality. The fourth box panel has a simple portrait schematic of the toy and includes numbered instructions. Size: 5¾" long x 5¾" tall. Sold: Apr. 2006
Price Sold: $ 418
