ALPS toys, vintage tin friction & electronic toys from Japan

Alps toys history

Alps toys (Alps Shoji Ltd.) Tokyo, Japan. Founded 1948.

alps toys Alps is specialized in toy vehicles and novelties. A lot of their toys were battery operated; made of mixed tinplate and tin. Space toys are among the most popular. The distinctive logo (the word "ALPS" printed on top of a mountain peak) of this Japanese company makes its toys easy to identify. ALPS made battery-operated mechanical toys (like robots, cars, musical chimps, clowns, wind-up animals, etc.) and the company produced some of the better quality Japanese toys throughout the post-war years.

Click here for Alps: robots, cars or wind-ups

Many of its toys had multiple actions, for example, a convertible car would not only move forward and back, but the top would also roll down and go back up.

This ingenuity ensured the toys' popularity, and for a time, they were in great demand.

Alps Television Spaceman Robot

However, despite their success, ALPS abandoned toy making some time in the early 1970s to become a manufacturer of consumer and industrial electronics.

The company remains in the electronics business today.

Famous Alps toys are: Television Spaceman Robot, Picnic Monkey, Shoe Shine Bear, Batmobile, Drumming Bear.

Questions, remarks or sweet memories?
Share it on this Alps forum!

Showing 11 comments

Maggie	February 8, 2013
I have an Alps super sonic Concord model from around mid 70s it has lighted cockpit, flashing jet engines drop nose front wheels etc it is in good condition c/w box it takes batteries and is in full working order can you let me know if it is worth anything. Thanks ----- I have been looking around and it seems that -depending on state- it can fetch around 100 USD, maybe more if plane and box are in like new condition. There was a boxed one for sale recently on eBay with a starting price of 110 USD (70 GBP) but it didn't get any buyer unfortunately.

Helena James	January 29, 2013
I have a battery operated clown that plays drums. I can remember playing with this when I was around 12 or 13 yrs. We also used to have a gorilla playing cymbals. Don't know what happened to the gorilla. WOuld like to know if this is has any value. thank you for your helpfullness ----- Really depends on state and if it is complete or nor. Besides, Alps made lots of different drumming clowns. Why don't you check out this link which contains ended auctions on eBay and see if one them matches yours.

Tim	December 2, 2012
Hi, I have a toy that has both the Alps toy Co. and CK on the label. "Over the Field" Fox Hunting. This toy appears to be older than 1948. Any help you can offer dating the toy would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim ----- Thats right. The toy you have is from the 1930s. When wound the dogs and fox rotate around the base chasing each other, and then suddenly reverse direction. On eBay one was sold not long ago for 650 USD but with original box AND game sheet to set the toy upon which is quite rare.

Alice	September 5, 2012
Hi, I have a alps wind-up dog he has a spring for a tail and a cane in his mouth. He has the word alps on one side of his underside with the word Japan on the other. Can't seem to find any information on him could you help?

Kathy	August 21, 2012
I have a battery operated washer and dryer in the original box. It is marked Alps. Any idea to its value or of someone wishing to add it to their collection? ----- One on eBay was sold for 20 dollars (excluding the box though).

D. Helms	June 4, 2012
I purchased a 1950 Alps vintage Japanese battery operated clown toy- which works fine. However, we are missing the outer part which encloses the red bulb nose and also the nose no longer lights up so I need a new light as well. Any suggestions? Thanks. ----- I have a list of toy restoration shops on my links page. Maybe they can help.

Saeed	April 25, 2012
I'm a 40 years old man. When I was a child, my father bought a Concord plane from Alps. Now after about 30 years I have this magnificent plane and I want to give it to my son. I can send you some pictures of it to you. Whould you please send me an email address of the Alps? ----- Hello, unfortunately Alps doesn't make toys anymore, but still exists. They now produce electronics and you can contact them by visiting their website.

Ken Mayberry	April 12, 2012
We have 3 Tap Dancer's (black man) in the original boxes do you buy? ----- No I'm sorry I don't buy.

Nick Owen	March 1, 2012
Hi, I have an old Alps Benkei Battery Operated Whistling Locomotive in immaculate condition and boxed. It has a push button system, realistic wheel movement by cylinder, working headlight and whistle. The number on the box is no 6126. It also is described as non-stop mystery action. I can not find any information on the web or a guide price for what it would be worth. Can you help? I can send photos to help. Thanks Nick

James Harman	November 3, 2011
IF ITS NOT TO MUCH TROUBLE WOULD YOU SEND ME A EMAIL ADDRESSE,I LIVE IN A OLD HOUSE,FOUND ALPS SANTA IN ORGINAL BOX WITH LITED FACE,WAS HOPING YOU WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT THANKS ----- Sure, send me your pics to the email address I have on my 'links' page.

William Langley	November 17, 2010
I have an ALPS Tin Litho Jalopy Wacky Car 2618 that is in terrible shape with rust, missing windshild and side windows, and an electrical system that probably hasn't worked in 40 years. This is my first restoration project so I'm in a steep learning curve. Most important to me is where to find parts for this particular toy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.