The PopCulteer
August 24, 2012
The Marx Toy Museum
Photo Essay Part Two
Part Two–Marxism In The Toy World
In this part of our photo essay, we will look at the historical high points from the story of The Marx Toy Company. We’ll begin with a look at some of the classic tin toys and early licensed items featuring Popeye, Mickey Mouse and others, and we’ll follow the trail of toys all the way to the huge riding toy successes of the 1970s.
We’re also going to explore the prototype room at The Marx Toy Museum, which is filled with one-of-a-kind sample figures, original hand-carved models, original art that was used on the packaging and unreleased playsets and toys.
This photo essay is broken into five parts, so that the graphics don’t overwhelm your browsers. Convenient links will be posted at the top and bottom of each essay, so that you can jump around at will.
The Marx Toy Museum Photo Essay
Part One–Meet The Museum
Part Two–Marxism In The Toy World (You’re reading this one now)
Part Three–Playsets And Plastic People
Part Four–Girl’s Toys
Part Five–Johnny West And The Cowboys
In the 1930s, Popeye was one of the first major toy hits to be licensed from cartoons or comic strips. Marx released a ton of cool tin toys based on the Sailor Man
At his peak popularity, Popeye sold more toys than any other character, even Mickey Mouse
Popeye’s face could sell anything
Marx did let Mickey get inon the act, thoo
Smokey Stover was a hot commodity back in the 1940s
The 1950s and 1960s were pretty cool, too
More classics from the Depression era
As we move to later eras, you see plastic replacing metal on kid’s toys
I know, I’ve posted photos of The Great Garloo in this blog many times before…
…but have you ever seen THE BOX?
Likewise, every chance I get, I post a photo of Big Loo…
…but I never thought I’d see the box he came in. That thing is HUGE!
We can’t leave out one of Marx’s biggest successes, Rock ‘Em, Sock “Em Robots, designed by Marvin Glass Associates
Marx sold some pretty nifty vehicles, too
Y’know, not all toys are made for kids. The semi-nude “Bathing Beauties” were given out by Louis Marx to his buddies, not sold to the public
You will see more of the legendary Marx Playsets in part three
During WWII, the Marx factories shut down their toy production to make munitions, like this big honkin’ shell
Firemen hold a very special place in toyland
Marx also sold scientific and educational toys, like this kit
Meanwhile on the licensing front, it’s Dick Tracy to the rescue
Dinosaurs and popguns…two great tastes that taste great together
Back in the Prototype Room, we find literally hundreds of hand-carved original figures
I’m not entirely sure what all this is, but it sure looks cool
Another shot of the science toys
Yeah, it’s Chief Cherokee, Thunderbolt, and Johnny West, but you still have to wait until part five to see more
One of the riding toys that carried Marx Toys through the 1970s
This was the one that really took off…The Big Wheel
This photo essay is broken into five parts, so that the graphics don’t overwhelm your browsers. Convenient links will be posted at the top and bottom of each essay, so that you can jump around at will.
The Marx Toy Museum Photo Essay
Part One–Meet The Museum
Part Two–Marxism In The Toy World (You just saw this one)
Part Three–Playsets And Plastic People
Part Four–Girl’s Toys
Part Five–Johnny West And The Cowboys
Still have that jeep in the box.