Large Bulgarian Blow-Moulded Cartoon Cat Sidecar Motorcycle Toy, 1960s and 70s Polyethylene Shop Display
Large Bulgarian Blow-Moulded Cartoon Cat Sidecar Motorcycle Toy, 1960s and 70s Polyethylene Shop Display
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked Check the Shipping Flowchart here
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $88, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.
The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.
With EMS, any charge is collected by your postal service on delivery. For pieces of significant value we can often arrange duties prepaid before dispatch.
How the estimate is reached · Ask for a figure on this piece
- Character
- Balanced 5.5 of 10 ·
- Replies
- Within one Tokyo business day · Ask the curator team
- Guarantee
- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
Every piece is measured by hand, in centimetres as Japan measures. Please allow 1–2 cm (about ½ inch) for the give of the material and the hand that held the tape.
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A white cartoon cat grips the handlebars of a big blue motorcycle while two yellow mice ride in the green sidecar: a large blow-moulded toy made in Bulgaria and once a toy shop's display piece.
The Piece
Across Eastern Europe in the 1960s and 70s, state toy factories turned out cheerful blow-moulded polyethylene toys in bold primary colours, often borrowing the look of Western cartoon heroes. Bulgarian pieces are among the scarcer survivors, and large examples in this condition rarely appear outside the region.
The cat sits upright in white with green eyes, a blue chest and pink nose, arms stretched to the white handlebars. The motorcycle is moulded in deep blue with a red fork and red hubs set in white tyres, and the green sidecar carries two yellow mice side by side. Made in Bulgaria is moulded into the sidecar. It stood for years on a toy shop shelf, and its packaging was discarded there, which explains its bright, little-handled state.
Details
- Origin: Bulgaria
- Era: 1960s to 70s
- Material: Blow-moulded polyethylene
- Colours: White, blue, red, green and yellow
- Height: 29 cm (11.4 in)
- Length: 33 cm (13.0 in)
- Marks: Made in Bulgaria moulded into the sidecar
- Packaging: None; former shop display
Condition
Very good. Light age wear and slight toning to the white plastic consistent with its years; no breaks or missing parts are visible.
Condition grade A (excellent) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.
Authenticity & Care
Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Keep away from heat and direct sun, which can soften and fade old polyethylene; dust with a soft dry cloth.
Delivery from Japan
Packed by hand in Japan in a double-walled carton with generous padding, and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything you wish to know before you buy, and see our published policy.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Continue browsing in Retro, Vintage and Modern Toys and Japanese Pop-Coolture.
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Collectors also search: Bulgarian blow mold toy · vintage sidecar motorcycle toy · blow moulded cartoon cat · 1970s polyethylene toy · Eastern European vintage toy
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