c.1949 Masudaya, Diamona Electric Car in Original Box
Superb Japanese built tin litho Diamona Electric Car. Friction powered trolley train car never played with complete with original box. Despite this originally being an inexpensive toy it was elegantly designed and detailed. Both sides, front and back, are heavily embossed. Windows, doors, siding, wheel housings, and even the roof vents are all embossed. Only four colors, blue, yellow, red, and green were used to create the multicolored symmetrical lithography. It has its original accordion-type electric roof conductor and three separately tabbed roof vents. Polished tin headlamps were included on both ends. Seven of its eight wheels are metal with embossed spokes. The remaining eighth wheel provides the friction power and has a rubber perimeter. "Diamona Electric Car" was lithoed on both sides of the roof edges. The Masudaya trademark and "Japan" appears on both ends. The simple two piece box features an applied color print of the Diamona in perspective speeding along. It still has its original Japanese quality export sticker on one end. The original paper packing is inside the box. This is the last of a collection of late 1940's Japanese electric friction trains I purchased. Size: 9" x 4" x 2¼". Sold: Jan. 2007
Price Sold: $ 148
