Marx Tin Lithographed Windup No. 630 “Mammy’s Boy” in Box Black Americana for Sale *SOLD*

Marx Tin Lithographed Windup No. 630 “Mammy’s Boy in Box Black Americana

Our Black Americana tin windup was new to us.  Louis Marx did this in the style of Harold Lloyd’s tin toys, circa the mid-1920s.  Few survive.  Fewer have their original box.

Size approx. 10 3/4″ tall

Tin litho toy with w/built-in key on the back. Designed by Marx with a separate tin litho faceplate and pair of arms, one of which holds a wire cane.

The toy works and rocks back and forth as it moves about. The separate face panel moves up and down so it appears as if he is smiling. Toy mimics white men performing “black-faced”, and we believe it based on Al Jolson’s character “Mammy”. Detailed outfit includes carnation in lapel.

Obituary on Al Jolson, LA Times:

“Al Jolson was considered one of the really great entertainers of his time [although his use of blackface later became the subject of criticism].

The blackface jazz singer, known for his full-throated, bouncy rendition of such tunes as “Swanee”, “Sonny Boy” and “Mammy,” died in a hotel room in San Francisco at 54, after abruptly leaving a gin rummy game with friends to rest.

Jolson, who was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, was only a boy when the family immigrated to America and settled in Washington, D.C. The son of a Jewish cantor, he broke with his father’s wishes to also become a cantor in order to pursue a stage career.

After being discovered by the Shubert’s, Jolson appeared in Winter Garden productions and later had parts in several Broadway plays including “Dancing Around,” “Robinson Crusoe Jr.,” “Sinbad,” “Wonder Bar” and “Hold On to Your Hats.”

His singing of “Mammy” brought him more fame and led to the leading role in “The Jazz Singer,” generally credited with introducing the talking motion picture in 1927.”