novelty - Anything In Particular

Vintage 1950s Novelty Alka-Seltzer Powered Miniature Toy Boats

Jon Nix — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 22:32:41 +0000

A novelty item (well, items) from the 1950s which would probably have been a pocket-money toy, possibly even bought from a vending machine, these are a pair of alka-seltzer powered miniature toy boats. There's not much more to be said about them really, except that presumably they still work as per the instructions provided.

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Large Original 1970s Chrome Desktop Newton’s Cradle aka “Ballrace” – Loncraine Broxton

Jon Nix — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 11:46:59 +0000

A rare opportunity to purchase an original boxed chromed Newton's Cradle. This is the Loncraine Broxton "Ballrace" which made its first appearance in the late 1960s. This one probably dates from the 1970s and is a very good example. Whilst it was originally sold as a kind of novelty item for the executive desktop or the living room, it now has genuine appeal both as a decorative item in itself and as a design piece from its era. In many ways, it might almost be said to be iconic.

This one is in good order cosmetically - just a few signs of age and use and some very minor signs of pitting to the chrome. The box is in good shape too, with minimal wear, considering its age.

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Vintage Chromed Kinetic Balance Novelty Desk Toy – Horse Rider

Jon Nix — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 10:57:00 +0000

A commonplace item back in the 1970s and 1980s, these "executive" novelties have a certain charm to them even now. This one is the "horse rider" variant and rocks back and forth on its podium until it runs out of steam, and is of good weight and construction (unlike some contemporary wannabees).

Measures approximately 11cm (4¼ in.) in length (from back foot to nose), with a height of 7.5 cm (3 in.)
The podium measures approximately 5cm / 2 in. in height with a diameter of 2cm (¾ in.) Has some signs of both age and use but generally in very good condition.

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Vintage Novelty Heinz Baked Beans Pencil Case

Jon Nix — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 13:02:58 +0000

A true novely item, this is a vintage pencil case made of a flexible rubberised plastic in the form of a can of Heinz baked beans shaped into a pencil with a removal rubber top for the eraser. Immediately recognisable in terms of branding, it most likely dates from the late 1970s or early 1980s.
In good overall condition with some minor signs of age and wear, particularly to the "eraser", the pencil case measures approximately 23 cm (9 in.) in length with a diameter of approximately 4.5 cm (1¾ in.).

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Vintage “Space Wheel” Kinetic Perpetual Desktop Motion Toy made by Downpace Ltd.

Jon Nix — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 18:53:59 +0000

Very uncommon and very captivating, this is the "Space Wheel", made in Taiwan and sold by Downpace. It's a kinetic, perpetual motion toy which uses the power of a magnetic field to help propel a three-legged "wheel" back and forth across it. On a black plastic base with clear acrylic, the Space Wheel is a simple but elegant piece of desktop distraction. See it working here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkX7vkPIIMa/

This one is complete and boxed with only very minor signs of age and wear, and includes some intriguingly titled and worded "instructions". Assembling the Space Wheel requires no tools or glue - the runners simply slot into the base, a HP7/PP3 battery is inserted on the connectors on the inside of the base, and, with a gentle nudge from one end of the runners, the wheel will find momentum and keep going until removed.

When assembled, the Space Wheel measures approximately 33cm (11 in.) across, with a height of about 7.5cm (3 in.) and depth of 6.5cm (2½ in.).

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Novelty Robot Machine Bank Money Box by Everlasttoys, Hong Kong

Jon Nix — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:02:46 +0000

A novelty money box made by Everlast Toys of Hong Kong, the "Robot Machine Bank" which amusingly receives coins on its tray, spins around and then deposits the coin to its robot innards. The mechanism is wind-up and there's a certain satisfaction to the "deposit" of the coin inside. Access to the coins is via the underside, where the wind-up knob can also be found.

In good working condition with no chips or cracks to the plastics. The only minor flaws are the missing sticker on the tray upon which the coin is placed and discoloration of the robot's googly eyes, but otherwise it's in good shape with only minor cosmetic signs of age and use.

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1970s Papermate Mouse Novelty Pen Holder – desktop fun and kitsch!

Jon Nix — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:39:05 +0000

If this little thing doesn't bring a smile to your face, then, well... sorry. It's a pen holder from Papermate and made in F.R. Germany (that's West Germany to you and I) and dates from the latter part of the 1970s. It's a mouse. And it's on a spring. Which basically means when a pen is taken from or inserted into it, it bounces away in a very cheerful fashion. It's a simple bit of vintage fun for your desk... and an increasingly scarce item to encounter.

In good condition, without original box unfortunately. The mouse's tail does have a slight kink to it, but it's there - often they aren't, so let's be thankful. Pen not included in this sale - and the eagle-eyed might have noticed it's not a Papermate anyway ;)

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Vintage Novelty Sardines Fishy Puzzle Game 1970s Hong Kong

Jon Nix — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:26:56 +0000

"Packed in Pure Fun". The "Sardines" fishy puzzle is a novelty toy which is both an immediately pleasing concept and packaged in a colourful and interesting way. The aim of the puzzle is to get all of the little sardines back into the tin. It's a little harder than it might first appear - there is only one solution - but helpfully the answer is given on the underside of the "tin". In bright orange and blue, this is 1970s plastic fantastic at its finest. It's just a fun item and it would make for a gift that is certainly different from the norm.

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1970s novelty toy wind-up moving crab by ST Toys Hong Kong

Jon Nix — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:57:02 +0000

If this little chap doesn't make you smile, then I don't know what will. Made by ST Toys Hong Kong, this brightly coloured orange crab executes an amusing sideways movement with bobbling eyes and moving claws when wound up and released. It's an object of simple fun which also looks great when not on the move.

For a slice of the action see the following video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CE_pjRvnUAn/

The crab measures approximately 11cm long by 4cm deep by 8cm high (4¼ in. by 1½ in. by 3¼ in.). In good condition and fully working with only minor superficial signs of wear and use.

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“Rocking Fellow” 1970s Chromed Desktop Balancing Kinetic Toy

Jon Nix — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 19:46:36 +0000

As common as flares in the 1970s, figures such as this "Rocking Fellow" were found on many a desk or shelf as a novelty item. This one, most likely made by Mr. Man in Taiwan or Otagiri in Japan, is a balancing figure who rocks back and forth on a chromed podium via his weighted balance bar. The "Rocking Fellow" is one of a series of figures with varying balance and movement poses.

The figure is in good visual condition. The podium has some pitting but is generally good, whilst the box is in reasonable shape bar some surface loss where some ill-advisedly applied tape has been removed.

When assembled measures approximately 13cm high by 13cm wide.

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