MARX toys | tin toys, die-cast, wind-up, friction toys & tin figures

Louis Marx toys

Produced toys from 1919-1978. At the age of sixteen and as the oldest of three, Louis had to help support the family. On a friend’s recommendation, he was hired to work full-time at the Ferdinand J. Strauss Company, a toy manufacturer that produced items for Abraham & Strauss Department Stores and a pioneer in the tin toy industry. Marx's energy and enthusiasm helped him to become a manager by the time he was twenty. In 1919, after being fired by Strauss due to differences on production matters and a stint with the American Army during World War I, Louis Marx decided that it was time to venture out on his own.

Louis and his brother David established the Louis Marx & Company and set up office at 200 Fifth Avenue, in New York City. Marx toys

Marx Toys is one of the most popular brands among today's antique and vintage toy collectors. Louis Marx, the founder of the company, was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1896. His enthusiasm and energy helped him to become a manager by the time he was twenty.

Marx toys company start

In 1919, Marx toys had a falling out with Strauss. Deciding that it was time to venture out on his own, he established Louis Marx & Co., and set up office at 200 Fifth Avenue, in New York City. Marx started his company with virtually nothing. Louis had no money, machinery, products, patents, or customers, but what he lacked in resources, he more than made up for in seemingly endless energy and determination. Marx wasted no time and started contracting with manufacturers to produce toys that he designed.

His brother David decided to join Marx a couple of years later. Louis had the business, designing, and marketing skills and David was the man behind the operations. The two of them together would grow to be the world's largest toy manufacturer. A significant factor, which contributed to this success came from two policies set in place from the beginning, "Give the customer more toy for less money" and "Quality is not negotiable". By 1921, they were able to start independently producing toys from their own designs.Kooky Spooky tree

Marketing Marx Toys

Louis Marx was not only a genius at designing toys, but also at marketing them. By offering quality at the lowest price possible, Marx Toys became very popular with toy buyers, and he had virtually no need for salesman or advertising. This popularity caused rapid growth and by the 1930's, despite the Great Depression, Louis built three new plants. The first and largest was in Erie, Pennsylvania, the second, which produced toy trains, was in Girard, Pennsylvania, and the third, which produced toy cars, was in Glendale, West Virginia. Marx also produced and distributed toys in England from 1937 to 1967. Marx continued to enjoy steady growth until the start of World War II, when the factories converted for the war effort.

After the war, Marx Toys came back as the world's largest manufacturer of toys, producing mechanical toys, model trains, toy guns, cars, ride-ons, playsets, and doll houses.

The Toy King Marx

Marx Toys grew even stronger into the "Golden Era" of the 1950's. By 1955, Marx Toys produced over 20% of all the toys sold in the U.S., and had factories in ten different countries, including Japan, with divisions such as Linemar. Marx also distributed toys produced by manufacturers in Germany, including those from Distler. This may have been pushed upon by toy makers of war damaged countries needing a strong re-start and presence in the US. With sales totaling more than $30 million, and over 5000 different products they were easily the largest toy manufacturer in the world. Louis Marx's success story even made the cover of the December 12, 1955 issue of Time Magazine, where Louis Marx was named "The Toy King". It was there he boasted about his annual advertising budget of $312.00, something he took pride in and rightfully so.

Marx toys

Marx's marketing strategies included mass production and mass marketing through chain stores, reproducing new toys from basic components and repackaging existing products using television or movie tie-ins. Up until 1959, Marx had resisted the use of a newfangled invention called television to promote his products. After reconsidering, he decided to go after the TV market in a big way. His plan was to reach 27 million kids with a massive television ad campaign of toy commercials over a three-month period, strategically placed during the summer holidays. Exposure to this blitz was estimated to exceed one billion. This exposure prompted Marx to create a company mascot, known to many as Magic Marxie. This campaign helped to make Marx even more of a household name.

The Marx Company was bought by Dunbee Cobex in 1967 and continued to produce toys under the name of Louis Marx & Company Ltd. until 1976. It was at this time, that 'Dunbee Cobex Marx', took over Quaker Oates USA and continued to produce toys until the beginning of 1980.

Unfortunately, on the 11th August 1992, Louis Marx & Company Ltd. dissolved, after several attempts to keep the company going...

Louis Marx died in 1982 at the age of 85, however his memory long remains in what he has left us.

Marx links

Website Marx toy museum: Marx toy museum

Virtual Marx museum:Marx museum

Showing 10 comments

Ronald Dean wrote:	15-08-2010
I had gone to a little corner store (mom and pop), with my grandfather, when I was eight years old. I saw this rocket ship called ROCKET RACER , I had to have it. Whatever it cost was a lot of money to spend on any toy. But a grandfathers love is special. Well I got it back to their house (in the country) and played with it for a little while until it was time for me to go back to the city. They would not alow me to take it with me. Instead my grandmother wrapped it in a dish towel and put in the corner of a drawer and would only take it out when I was there so I could play with it. I played with it before I went to Viet Nam and when I got back. My grandparents have passed away I am 63 years old, As I write this I am so looking at that little rocket racer setting on my desk at this moment (I LOVE THEM SO). Thank you.

Charlotte Littlefield wrote:	13-09-2010
I am the proud owner of an Amos and Andy tin car and I would like to find out more of the history of it. It belonged to my Uncle who died in 1955 and is the only thing I have of his. ----- Answer: Amos 'n Andy was a radio and TV show that dominated the ratings from 1928 through the 60's until it was sold by CBS in '66. The toy, made by Marx from the early days of the radio series, shows Amos and Andy riding in their open air taxi.

Roy Batley wrote:	04-11-2010
Hello, I have turned out my loft and come across a Louis Marx 'Match Play' Golf set. I don't know when it was made but I guess 70's by the flared trousers worn by those on the box illustration. It is complete in it's box and the green sponge driving range is as new. The game reference number is 3244 and if anyone does know when this was maufactured I would really like to know.

Beverley wrote:	21-11-2010
I have found a colourful face guitar with a short handle with a hat thats a bell. When you push him along his tongue goes in and out and his eyes blink. when was this made? And is he rare? ----- D. Dean stands for 'David Dean', the designer of the 'The Munchie Bunch' series, produced by Marx toys in the sixties. Yours could be the 'Bittie Banjo' or the 'Gabbie Guitar'.

Malcolm Perrin wrote:	23-11-2010
I have written on the box a marx-a-copter it is a helicopter which rotates from a central pillar, it goes forwards backwards up. ----- The Marx-A-Copter was made in 1961-1962 and was similir to Mattel's VertiBird. There was also a Space version. It came with a record (33.3 RPM) with background sounds. Value depends on state.

Kim Godden wrote:	30-11-2010
I have been clearing my uncles mums house and have come across a toy which is a large train which has the trade mark Marx toys made in england it is called the chief and has the number 86 on it does anyone know anymore about it?

Michael Dandy wrote:	26-12-2010
I was wondering if anyone had any info on a trans-atlantic zeppelin wind-up toy that was produced by the mar company

Gary Wermuth wrote:	17-02-2011
Some time ago, I purchased a flippo the dog toy. I have two questions. The first being, is there any reliable place where I can get the spring fixed. It seems that it just needs to be re-wound. I took the body off of the toy, not damaging anything, but I cannot get it re-wound. The second question regarding this toy is, I am not sure of the age. this is definitely a colored model of the toy, and not a black and white toy from the 40's. I am confused though, as I saw one that looks just like mine that said Line Mar toys. Mine definitely has the Marx logo. Any help that you could give me regarding these tow issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gary ----- Line Mar and Marx are closely related, take a look at my Linemar toys page for more info on Line Mar. As for repair, there are companies specialized in fixing (old) tin toys. Try for example: Randys Toyshop to see what he can do for you.

Helen Watts wrote:	06-05-2011
Hi All,A friend of mine has a boxed Louis Marx - (smoking ) HO steam elactric train set ( Serial Num 6096, wheel arrangement is ( 464 with an 8 wheel tender ). We are not sure of its age or value and wondered if anyone could give us some information, Thank you regards Helen

Alice Deck wrote:	15-05-2011
We have a 6 wheel chain drive tractor with little farmer guy driving. He even has a polka-dotted kerchief in his pocket.It goes forward and back. We have replaced the rubber trackers. Nice red color with blue wheels...Would like to know appx worth? Thank you, Alice ----- I don't know Alice, maybe you'll find more luck on this website: toysofthepast.com