Mickey and Minnie Riding a Motorcycle, A mythical 1930s Toy by Tippco Signed T.C.O.
An extraordinary mechanical toy that any antique toy collector addict dreams to own in his life, it is indeed this toy motorcycle that the German manufacturer Tippco (T.C.O.) launched for the kids of the 1930s. This mechanical toy made of lithographed metal sheets belongs to the second period of production of toy motorcycles, which runs from 1910 to 1940. These years following the forerunners in the field that are the small French workshops like Charles Rossignol or Fernand Martin, are dominated by the huge production of German firms (mainly located in Nuremberg and its area). In 1910, the first motorcycle toy has been produced by Ernst Paul Lehmann and Günthermann, both housed in Germany. They have been widely loved by the kids, thanks to the simple and robust mechanisms that animated them and, above all, the quality of the chromolithography which decorated them. This is particularly obvious on this Tippco bike, where all engine details, gear lever, carburetor and handbrake are artistically drawn. The tires marked « Dunlop » do not necessarily indicate that a partnership has been concluded with the manufacturer. The beginnings of the fame of Disney and its licensed toys, the worldwide enthusiasm around Walt Disney's creations, begins in 1928, with the release of the gorgeous black and white "Steamboat Willie" motion picture. Mickey was born officially in 1931. This T.C.O. motorcycle driving by Mickey dates from 1935, built in lithographed sheet and equipped with a strong clockwork mechanism. It was produced probably during a short period from 1935 up to 1939, after the departure of Philippe Ullmann, co-founder of TCO., and without the permission of Disney. Actually, numerous of toys drawn from stories and films have been produced without permission of the artists in these early years. In 1929, a amazing toy signed by the American Marx portrayed comic mices for a musical toy called "Merry Makers", often called by the collectors "Mickey Musicians' group". It is curious to note the obvious similarity of these adorable mices with those of Walt Disney in his cartoon of 1928.
Brands and logos used by the TIPPCO (T.C.O.) firm from 1912 up to 1971 (lithographed on the tank of the motorcycle)
What means TIPPCO T.C.O. (Tippco) was founded in 1912 by Miss Tipp and Mr Carstens (who left the firm in 1919). Philippe Ullmann came later to run the manufacture alone as of 1918. The Production then developed considerably under his management and in 1930 a wide range of toy cars, racing cars, and motorcycles was successfully produced and exported worldwide. The production of TIPPCO was distributed mainly by the noted toy wholesaler Kohnstam. The boss of T.C.O. left Germany in 1933 and emigrated to England where he created the toy brand Mettoy. He made copies of TCO toys at the beginning, using the german moulds, before creating a new Mettoy range. After 1945, TIPPCO took over under the supervision of son Henry Ullmann until its definitive closure in 1971. This period after 1945 provides a very wide range of beautiful toy motorcycles, some of them with side-cars made of sheet metal Printed and equipmechanisms. The motorcycle "Mickey" has be removed from the catalog of Tippco after 1945. Photos: Courtesy of BERTOIA AUCTIONS