Non-exhaustive inventory of China tin toys
Non-commercial site. No sales, only information
Toys designed in China since 1958
Friction MF - Spring MS - Battery ME
More than 1000 China tin toys created in the 60s, 70s, 80s
indexed by mode of operation, number, category, estimated price and rarity.
Focus on OIL TANKERS, typical Chinese friction trucks designed in the 60s
MF 188
MF 201
Toy exported a lot
and therefore not very rare.
3 successive editions:
RED very rare model, only sold in China
BLUE all metal, exported a lot
BLUE with plastic, a more modern version from the 80s
MF 963
MF 189
MF 751
MF 907
MF 214
MF 744
Classification
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Alpha-numeric code : MF, MS, ME and a number (from 1 to 999)
Some codes are not identified, they are replaced by a UN code (unknown) and a number
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Category : toys are classified by groupe in 19 categories
Type : it specifies the kind, especially in Animal
Name : name indicated on the box
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Rarity and Price : estimated price range based on online sales,auction sites and personal blogs in many countries over the last 10 years.
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A little history
In China
1920's to 1950's : In Shanghai, Kang Yuan Toy Factory, China Can Toy Factory...
1949 : People's Republic of China
Since 1958 : tin toys have been produced whith no brand, and no reference to dates or locations.
Only a code, 2 letters 3 numbers assigned without any specific rule.
In 1962, the largest factory of tin toys in Shanghai produced 3.5 million toys mainly for export.
For 25 years, Mr. Marvin Chan (Chen Guotai) has been the main collector
and historian of Chinese toys.
He has published 4 reference books and created the Saint John brand.
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Elsewhere in the world
1860's : First tin toy factory in Germany : Bing, Marklin, Ester Lehmann
1889 : In France Charles Rossignol invents the stapling system of the tinplate
which replaces tin welding.
1890's : Development of lithographic printing of tinplates, before stamping,
less costly than painting.
Invention of the electric battery in the USA.
From 1905, the tin toy industry develops all over the world, especially in :
Germany : Schuco, Marklin, Blomer & Schuller, Kohler, Ester Lehmann, Arnold...
Japan : Ichiko, T.Nomura, Bandaî, Yonezawa, Yoshiya...
U.S.A. : Lineman Toy, Louis Marx & Co...
France : Joustra, Rossignol...
Spain : Rico, Paya...
Czech Republic : Kovap...
...
From the 1980s, plastic has replaced metal, and tin toys have become collector's items.
