New TemplateToy Name:Tootsietoy\'s, Buck Rogers25th Century Rocket Ships in Original Box
Year: 1937 Description:Inmy humble opinion the \"Buck Rogers 25th Century RocketShips\" set by Tootsietoy\'s was/is oneof the most beautifully boxed toys ever produced. It\'s certainlyone of the scarcest. It took me a while, but I finally found one in unused, unplayed with condition!The set comes complete with all four ships,both die cast figures of Buck and Wilma, and original spool ofstring. Even more important it has it\'s rare original color box, bothdifferent die cut inserts, and a separate directions sheet. I\'veseen this particular box only three times. Twice it was the same onebeing sold. This example was not one of those. It\'s in the bestcondition I\'ve seen. An \"all-text\" version was also produced. Both aretough to find, but this color version is more difficult. I\'ve never seen theoriginal directions sheet before and could find no reference for it. The toys are all painted die cast metal. The rockets, which wereprimarilysold individually, include the Flash Blast Attack Ship (robin\'s eggblueand gold), Battlecruiser (yellow and blue), U.S.N. Los Angeles zeppelin(silver), and Venus Duo-Destroyer (gold and lime green). It also includes the figures of Buck Rogers (silver) and Wilma Deering(gold). Each is embossed with their name on the underside of the base. Tootsietoy\'sproduced them exclusively for this set. The string is included still wound on its original cardboard spool. WhenI purchased the toy some of it was laying loose so I wound it back ontothe spool.

The fabulous full color boxfeatures a large central portrait of Buck inside a black and yellowfuturistic looking diamond. His nameis printed just above. Along the top edge in large block art decolettering is themanufacturer\'s name. The four rocket ships are shown in perspective asdifferent sizes and colors along with orbital \"space debris\". The1937 copyright date andpatent information are printed in tiny black text above the word\"century\".\"25th Century Rocket Ships\" isprinted in black across the bottom edge enclosed byan orange slab of \"metal\" with rivet heads around the edges. *Small circular portraits ofthe 10 most popular characters from the original Buck Rogers comicstrip were printed on the front and rear box panels. Thetwo side panels repeat the toy name. Included as part of the original packaging are both original orangecardboard die cut inserts. Thesewere intentionally cut in two different patterns. When stackedon top of one another they create open spaces and cross-overs whichhold the pieces securely in place. No tape was necessary.To my knowledge the separate 5\" x 3\" directions sheet was unique to this set.An abbreviated version was printed on theside of the small packing box when sold separately. The set was originally given as a Christmas gift. A 1930\'s styleChristmas sticker was placed on the cover and insert. These takenothing away from the piece, yet confirm the originality of the toy. Inother words it wasintended as a gift to be played with, but for some reason (that willremain unknown) it never was. Size: Box 11½\" x 8\" x 1½\". Ships vary from 4½\" to 5\". Figures 2\". Condition: Again, the entire set looks like it was never played with ormishandled. This is very unusual especially for anyBuck Rogers toy because of the comic characters\' popularity. Threeof the four rockets are in museum quality mint condition without anysigns of wear, scratches, scrapes, or chipping. Only the Flash BlastAttack Ship grades nearmint+, due to a single tiny pinpoint fleck on each globe andtwo more on the nose. The figures of Buck and Wilma were affected todifferent degrees by time and temperature. Wilma isintact and complete, but has many tiny cracks. She hassome small rubs on the back and two wear points from laying inside thebox. Buck on the other hand literallywent topieces; again an affect of age and temperature. Fortunately every pieceno matter how small was still inside the box without any wear ormissing paint. It\'s beenreassembled, but still has noticeable cracks and somesmallgaps. And lastly the string is complete without anybreaks. The condition of the box and packaging materials is extraordinary! Thecolors are spectacular; strong, bold and without any fading. Nothinghas been replaced. Nothing is missing. Nothing has been repaintedor touched up. The cover is faintly concave because there was nothingin the center to support its weight over the years. Ithas two faint smallindentations above the letters \"E\" and \"T\" near the center edge, twofaint rubs above the letter \"u\"in Buck, and on the right side of the (Battlecruiser)rocket just above the Christmas sticker. It has only a single branchedtearabout ½\" long locatedbetween the letters \"R\" and \"O\" in rocket near the lower center edge.The upper andlower cover edges just have faint wear, as well as slight darkening dueto age or handling. The two side panels show aspeckling of wear as well. Both inserts are in mint condition without a single tear or crease. Thebox bottom has a single small perforation on the underside andyellowing from age. The string spool is perfect; no creasing or tears.And the direction sheet has only darkening due to age. It\'s never beencreased or torn. The overall condition of all the packing materials which include thecover,bottom, inserts, directions, and string spool is excellent+ to nearmint. You\'d be hard pressed to find another set of this quality, much lessfinding one at all. As nearly all space-toy and Tootsietoy collectorsknow it\'s a scare and expensive item. I\'ve put on it.*Front edge box panel fromleft to right; Mekkano Man, Depth Man, Wilma Deering,Tieko Man, and Killer Kane. Rear panel edge from left to right; TigerMan,Black Barney, Dr. Huer, Ardala, and Asterite Man.
MyItem No.14-0208

American Toys; Quality 19th and 20th Century Antique Toys

MYANTIQUE TOY GUARANTEE:
14 day money back guarantee for full purchase price minus shippingcosts, if you\'re not satisfied FOR ANY REASON. This guarantee is voidif your returned item is not in the same condition as originallyshipped. I do not charge \"restocking\" fees.

I donot sell reproduction toys. I guarantee to refund your purchase infull, if any toy I sell is found to be a reproduction for as long asyou own the toy. This offer applies only if the toy has not beenresold, and only to the original buyer.

REPAINTEDOR REPLACED PARTS:
Condition is everything! I always strive wheneverpossible to sell only toys that are complete and in originalcondition. However, I will always indicate in those rare instances whenparts have been replaced or when touch-ups have been made.

SHIPPING

• Mailinsurance is provided freethrough a contracted third party company forevery purchase made.
• SignatureConfirmation with tracking is required for all packages.
• Theshipping carrier, box size, and weight may vary depending on yourlocation.
• shipping calculator isfrequently wrong. Overestimatedshipping costs >$1 are always refunded through paypal.
• Ipersonally box everything after the sale ends. On occasion Iunderestimate shipping costs, or the shipping box size. When thisoccurs I\'ll send you an email requesting additional funds.
• Shippers; United States Post Office,UPS Ground, and FedEx Ground
  

International:
Global Express shipping is required. Typically it costs lessthan the estimated calculator. Any shipping cost over estimated bymore than $1 is refunded to you through Paypal.

PACKAGING: One thing you can besure of when you buy from American Toysis careful packaging. Check my response and see for yourself. Sturdy brand new shipping boxes arealways used. Just about every toy I sell is double boxed.

NEWTO E-BAY?: buyerswith five (5) positive response stars or less must contact me prior toofferding. buyers who do not comply will have their offer removed.

PAYMENT:

Localpick-up with pre-approval.
Additional payment types are available upon request.

NewJersey residents please add 7% sales tax, or supply valid NJ Tax IDnumber. CHECKOUT: I\'llsend a personal invoice directly to the high buyer once the salehas ended. You\'ll also receive a duplicate invoice through .QUESTIONS:
I encourage questions from any interested buyer. Drop me a lineand I\'ll get back to you as soon as possible. You\'ll always have allthe information you need from me before placing your offer....as long asyou ask.

Thanksand GOOD LUCK...................

Danny K.
American Toys & Grand Old Toys

Associate Member
InternationalSociety of Appraisers

AntiquesRoadshow Collectibles Book 2003 Workman Publishing
Contributing author & photographer

Over 1800toys at GrandOld Toys.com - freeantique toy database

Seller since 1997

_gsrx_vers_617 (GS 6.9.6b5 (617))