For sale is a rare 1950s “SMOKING GRANDPA” TOY made by MARUSAN (SAN) of Japan. This battery-operated tin lithographic toy is no longer working. The toy was designed so that Grandpa rocks back and forth and exhales real smoke from his mouth when his pipe lights up. The bottom of Grandpa’s shoe is marked with the iconic Marusan logo (“SAN” incide of a circle). The toy has rust damage near the bottom battery compartment and grandpa’s clothes are a bit frayed. It’s odd how many children’s toys back in the day were tobacco related. Grandpa’s face and hands are in great condition with bright color and graphics. Grandpa’s nose is made of rubber. The toy measures about 8 inches tall. A great collectible vintage tin toy from Japan.
The Marusan toy company was founded in 1947 by three relatives, Haruyasu Ishida, his brother Minoru Ishida and brother-in-law Yasuo Arai. In 1950, the company was formally incorporated as Marusan Shoten Ltd. The Japanese word “Maru” means circle, thus the mark of SAN in a circle. But the word “San” also means three, which refers to the three founders of this company.
