My Tin Toys

This is a Wolverine Snap N Score from the late 1940s. This was my fathers and was at my grandmother’s house when I was growing up. I spent many hours lying on the floor while my grandparents watched TV shooting marbles.

This is more challenging than it looks. This was made before carpal tunnel syndrome became a problem.

Made by The Wolverine Supply and Manufacturing company in Pittsburgh PA. These come in blue with either yellow (as shown) or red trays.

Here’s a link to see what this is worth on eBay.

Wolverine Snap N Score Marble Game Tin Toy

US $49.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Dec-05-2008 18:05:01 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

This is one of the first tin toys I purchased. I found this at a flea market in Lambertville NJ back when I was in Jr High school. I think I have most of the box, but it’s packed away.

This basketball game was made by Ranger Steel Products of Brookllyn NY in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

It’s a simple game. The object it to get the wood ball through the hoop. The ball is on a string so the child doesn’t have to chase it down between tosses.

The man pivots on a post making it more difficult to line up the shot.

The man, and the backboard and pole come off the base. The hoop comes off the backboard. And the parts are packed into the box. This makes the boxed toy occupy less space in the store and when not in use.

Compare this Ranger toy with the Marx All Star Basketball Game shown else where on this site.

The Marx was more expensive, and was shipped assembled.

Here’s a link to see Ranger toys on eBay

This is a cool toy. Made by Marx in the late 1950s or early 1960s. I think this later because of the plastic used on the man and the hoop. The Steel logo also gives a clue to the date of manufacture.

You can move the player around to shoot from different positions. When the basketball goes through the hoop, it hits a tab that advances the scoring. Louis Marx was a genius when it came to marketing so this is called “All Star Basketball with Automatic Score.”

I have a Ranger basketball game that is much simpler than this. These “ball in cup” games tend to get boring after a few minutes of play. Maybe that’s just me. I have some marble shooting games that hold my interest quite well. I’ll post pictures of the Ranger basketball, and some of the marble games in the future.

Link to eBay so you can see more Marx Basketball games and find out what these are worth.

Vintage Marx Basketball Pinball Ship Puzzle TOY LOT

US $8.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Dec-03-2008 20:27:02 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Dec-05-2008 15:10:50 PST Bid now | Add to watch list