Tinplate toys, tin toys or tin lithograph toys, are toys made out of tinplate that are made to be mechanical, either by clockwork or battery operated. They are usually colourfully painted and made to resemble vehicles or characters which children find aesthetically pleasing. Tinplate toys became increasingly popular in the early 20th century as their light weight enabled them to be easily shipped at a lower price than the heavier cast iron toys of the time. Around this time, Germany was the major producer of Tinplate toys; the most famous names being Lehmann and Marklin - CIJ French Alfa Romeo P Twos are always popular. Following the Second World War, Japan became a major manufacturer of Tinplate toys and began producing many classics; most notably, Robots.
Nice examples of Tinplate toys command very good prices at auction, and we are always looking for consignments to be added to our sales. If you have a collection of tinplate toys or a single item which you wish to have valued, please do not hesitate to contact us!
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Recently sold

Gunthermann Tinplate Clockwork Bluebird Record Car

Sold for £220
Rock Valley Toys Battery Operated Circus Lion

Sold for £800
Lehmann Tinplate Clockwork Delivery Van & Driver

Sold for £1,250
Scarce Kico Clockwork Twin Cylinder Motorcyclist

Sold for £900
A Lehmann (Germany) Tinplate Clockwork Mandarin

Sold for £540
Lehmann Tinplate Clockwork Paddy Dancing Pig

Sold for £620
L Artiste Capillaire The Hair Artist French C.1905

Sold for £620
L.Revon & Co Paris Mechanical Dispenser/Bank

Sold for £420
Scarce Fernand Martin Tinplate Clockwork

Sold for £190
Lehmann(Germany) Tinplate Clockwork Motor Carriage

Sold for £240
Linemar Japanese Battery Operated Mickey Mouse

Sold for £3,200
1930’s CIJ Alfa Romeo P2 Clockwork Racing Car
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