How to Identify Pre-War Marx Toy Trains

Pre-war Marx toys are mainly lithographed, tin, wind-up toys. The early 1920s brought the popularity of trains, and Marx was a top producer. Marx and Ferdinand Strauss, another top producer, had been creating their toys and designs for the Girard Company, but in the 1930s Marx took over Girard. Before lithography was used, each toy was individually hand painted in bright colors. Lithographing tin allowed the company to change the art work on a toy and create a new line. Several Walt Disney characters were featured by Marx, such as Popeye, Wimpy and Sappo.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Determine what material the train is made from. Tin was used in earlier toys. Plastic did not become popular until the 1950s.

   • 2

     Determine how the toy operates. A Marx train from the 1920s will be a wind-up tin toy. Friction and battery operated toys were not created until after 1950.

   • 3

     Search the entire surface of the toy. Look for any markings or writing to indicate the toy maker. Most Marx toys are marked with the name Louis Marx.