Smoking and Shoe Shining Panda Bear (Alps 1950s) Battery Op Tin Litho Toy & Box

Description

Alps Smoking and Shoe Shining Panda Bear
Alps Shoji Ltd. Tokyo, Japan was founded in 1948 and specialized in toy vehicles and novelties. Alps manufactured some of the better quality Japanese battery operated mechanical toys, which featured multiple actions and ensured their popularity during post-WWII. The distinctive "ALPS" mountain peaks logo makes it easy to identify these sought after vintage toys.
This mechanical toy operates with two "D" batteries (not included) and features a shoe shining action. The bears lowers its head and raises its left leg, then rapidly buffs its shoes. It then lowers its leg, raises its head and takes a puff from its corn cob pipe, causing the "pretend tobacco" to glow bright red. Smoke is designed to drift out of the bear's mouth if a drop of mineral oil, spindle oil or machine oil is added.
The shoe shining action works fine. In order for the pipe to light up, the bear's left leg must be lifted by hand when the buffing action pauses. Adjusting the left leg might resolve the issue. I didn't test the smoking action.
The yellow overalls have some light smudges. The shoe brushes are a little worn from buffing so I adjusted the bear's arms to eliminate contact with the shoes. All painted metal surfaces are in extremely nice condition. The four raised mounds on the underside of the base have tiny paint rubs from sliding the toy. The battery compartment is pristine with no corrosion. No damaged pieces, no torn clothing, no rust anywhere. Still has original price tag.
Overall, this nearly 70-year-old toy is in very nice condition. Its box has some handling wear and has been torn. Two instruction cards are included. Bear is appx. 10" tall.
Will be carefully packaged and shipped fully insured.
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