Marx ca. 1963 Tin Lithographed Battery Op. Remote Controlled Mr. Mercury Boxed *SOLD*

Marx ca. 1963 Tin Lithographed Battery Op. Remote Controlled Mr. Mercury Boxed

This is a battery-operated gold variation of Mr. Mercury tin robot manufactured by Marx. It features a pewter and red color variation. The arms move up and down, and the hands press together. The cockpit is well-designed, with twin drivers serving as the “eyes” of the toy. The remote insides are in good condition, showing light aging. Additionally, there is a nice reel-to-reel tape drive lithographed on the chest. The box is in good condition, with inserts and slight edge wear. This fun toy dates back to circa 1963.

A brief history of Louis Marx & Company of New York City, New York:              

1919 – 1979

Founder: Louis Marx

Specialty: Louis Marx and Company was an American toy manufacturer in business from about 1919 to 1980 founded in New York City by Louis & David Marx. Its products were often imprinted with the slogan, “One of the many Marx toys, have you all of them?” Arguably, Marx was the most well-known toy company through the late mid-20th century. Best known for their lithographed tin windup toys Marx was also one of the big four among American electric train manufacturers. Interestingly, Marx also successfully revived the Yo-Yo in 1928; it sold well even through the Depression.

Linemar Co. Inc. or more simply Linemar Toys was the trade name under which Marx toys were manufactured in Japan, then sold in the United States and other countries. The reason to make Linemar Toys in Japan was to keep costs down. Under the Linemar name, Marx produced The Flintstones and other licensed toy vehicles (Linemar Tin Toys 2015). The Linemar line also included airplanes that were produced in the colors of KLM, Pan Am, and other airlines.