J. Chein ca. 1960s Tin Lithographed Windup No. 270 “Chipper Chipmunk” in Box for Sale

J. Chein ca. 1960s Tin Lithographed Windup No. 270 “Chipper Chipmunk” in Box

We have for you a ca. 1960s tin, lithographed, windup “Mechanical Chipper Chipmunk” in box that was manufactured by J. Chein & Co. of Harrison/Burlington, New Jersey.     

When wound with its key and switched on our working Chipper Chipmunk shoots into the plastic treadmill, spins, exits, then turns and repeats the motion. The box is in fair to good condition.

This piece is in excellent all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 19″ L x 4 ¾” W x 7” H.  We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.       

A brief history of J. Chein and Company of Harrison/Burlington, New Jersey: 

1903-1979 (toy producing years)

Founder: Julius Chein

Specialty: J. Chein & Co. was founded in a loft in New York City, New York by Julius Chein. They produced toys from 1903 until about 1979. Chein specialized in tin mechanical toys, banks, drums, and tea sets. The company’s tin toys were mostly lithographed. Chein’s line of comic and circus tin toys received wide acceptance in the 1930s and leading up to World War II.

In 1907, Chein moved its full production plant to Harrison, New Jersey. In the 1920s and early 1930s, Chein produced a popular line of toys under the “Hercules name, rather than their own name. In the 1940s as the war came to a close Chein moved to a larger factory in Burlington, New Jersey to become more competitive with Japanese manufacturers.

In the 1970’s Chen became known as Chen Industries, Inc., and in 1979, toy manufacturing was phased out entirely.

Then in the late 1980s, Chein Industries, Inc. was sold to the Atlantic Can Company, which then changed its name to Atlantic Cheinco Corporation. The company was beset with problems with manufacturing resulting from environmental issues. Due to their issues, in 1992 they filed for bankruptcy protection. Atlantic Cheinco Corporation’s assets were then purchased by Ellisco, In. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was a division of CSS Industries, Inc. In 1994, CSS then sold Ellisco to the U.S. Can Company of Baltimore, Maryland, who continues to produce stamped metal products.