Non-exhaustive inventory of China tin toys
Non-commercial site. No sales, only information
Toys designed in China since 1958
Friction MF - Spring MS - Battery ME
More than 1000 China tin toys created in the 60s, 70s, 80s
indexed by mode of operation, number, category, estimated price and rarity.
Beautiful American cars
Buick, Dodge, Cadillac, Ford, Oldsmobile, Chrysler, Chevrolet
​As in all toy-producing countries, real car models inspire the creation of tin toys. In China, some real and iconic models from 50s and 60s have been reproduced as toys. These models are Chinese, European, and American.
Sometimes they are similar, and sometimes they are approximate. It’s likely that these toys were created for export, to appeal to foreigners. Since the 60s, China has organized its tin toy industry, particularly for export.
Very old catalog presenting the new export models
ME 009, ME 011, ME 012
DODGE custom Royal. 1957
MF 748, MF 786, MF 788, MF 830
OLDSMOBILE 68. 1961
MF 777, MF 778
CADILLAC Coupé DeVille. 1959
MF 704, MF 049
CHRYSLER Diablo Ghia. 1957
ME 084
CHEVROLET Corvette Sting Ray. 1963
MF 318, MF 345, MF 346
FORD Thunderbird. 1956
MF 316, MF 317
CHEVROLET Corvette. 1954
MF 329
CHEVROLET Corvette. 1956
BUICK Spécial DeLuxe. 1950
MF 321, MF 322
MF 330
CADILLAC Série 62. 1950
MF 333, MF 203
FORD Thunderbird. 1963
Classification
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Alpha-numeric code : MF, MS, ME and a number (from 1 to 999)
Some codes are not identified, they are replaced by a UN code (unknown) and a number
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Category : toys are classified by groupe in 19 categories
Type : it specifies the kind, especially in Animal
Name : name indicated on the box
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Rarity and Price : estimated price range based on online sales,auction sites and personal blogs in many countries over the last 10 years.
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A little history
In China
1920's to 1950's : In Shanghai, Kang Yuan Toy Factory, China Can Toy Factory...
1949 : People's Republic of China
Since 1958 : tin toys have been produced whith no brand, and no reference to dates or locations.
Only a code, 2 letters 3 numbers assigned without any specific rule.
In 1962, the largest factory of tin toys in Shanghai produced 3.5 million toys mainly for export.
For 25 years, Mr. Marvin Chan (Chen Guotai) has been the main collector
and historian of Chinese toys.
He has published 4 reference books and created the Saint John brand.
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Elsewhere in the world
1860's : First tin toy factory in Germany : Bing, Marklin, Ester Lehmann
1889 : In France Charles Rossignol invents the stapling system of the tinplate
which replaces tin welding.
1890's : Development of lithographic printing of tinplates, before stamping,
less costly than painting.
Invention of the electric battery in the USA.
From 1905, the tin toy industry develops all over the world, especially in :
Germany : Schuco, Marklin, Blomer & Schuller, Kohler, Ester Lehmann, Arnold...
Japan : Ichiko, T.Nomura, Bandaî, Yonezawa, Yoshiya...
U.S.A. : Lineman Toy, Louis Marx & Co...
France : Joustra, Rossignol...
Spain : Rico, Paya...
Czech Republic : Kovap...
...
From the 1980s, plastic has replaced metal, and tin toys have become collector's items.
