1939 Marx Army Headquarters Staff Coupe in Original Box

Written by Ralph on 7th September, 2010

Click here to see the auction. Currently $2551.88.

Grand Old Toys.com – Antique Toy Database 156 Toys and counting Toy Name: Marx Army Headquarters Staff Coupe in Original Box Year: 1939 Description: Louis Marx & Co. produced some of their most elaborate pressed steel vehicles before WWII. Their streamlined art deco Coupe appeared in several versions from 1933 to 1940. With wide frame-integrated running boards, long sleek front hood, embossed “S” shaped curve on the roof sides, and “V” style grille, it’s fairly easy to identify. But it was the few last poorly selling models made in 1939-40 that today have become so difficult to find. One of them was the Marx Army Headquarters Staff Coupe. This example was purchased from the Donald Kaufman collection; one of the founders of KB Toys. In unplayed, near mint+ condition with complete near mint box it may very likely be the finest boxed toy of its kind in existence. Marx modified their 18 year old logo in 1939 to include a “Made in United States of America” circle of text around their MAR trademark. Many of their toy boxes were designed prior to the change and were printed with the earlier plain trademark. In this way accurate dating of the toy is possible as in the case of the Marx, Army Headquarters Staff Coupe. The Marx Army HQ Staff Coupe has a steel frame, body, running boards, and bumper. Similar to their G-Man Pursuit Car and Gang Busters Car it features a tinplate Gangster passenger with sparkling machine gun protruding through the front windshield. It’s powered with a strong clockwork wind-up motor encased in a black lithoed steel housing, has a separate rear brake, and large solid black rubber tires (with polished tin metal covers) which can be turned right or left. The frame including the running boards have a baked enamel olive green surface. The black motor housing was also painted similarly. The body, hood, roof, and front grille are embossed steel litho. The front bumper is polished steel. A two-tone forest and mint green color combination was used then outlined with small yellow and black rivet heads to give it the appearance of armor plating. A large outstretched winged yellow eagle with crossed feathers was lithoed on both doors, on each side of the front hood, and across the rear trunk. Also in yellow is “U.S.A-7″ and “H.Q.-7″, and “H.Q.-Staff” beneath three large stars. Wide yellow and black stripes delineate the upper and lower body halves. It comes with the original (and correct) Marx key. Best of all ….it works great, and even still has the original factory flint. Two of the main box panels are text printed with fancy reverse highlighting and script. Manufacturer name and address, as well as the earlier 1938 trademark are on the endflaps, were repeated on the endflaps. Two of the main panels are blank. One set of endflaps is hinged to open. The other end has locking tabs which have never been unsealed. The inner flaps on the open side were also printed with a schematic for operation of the car plus directions for maintenance and flint replacement. It also has a separate small envelope which held a replacement flint (not included). The envelope was printed with a second schematic showing flint replacement. Another paper inside the box indicates the importance of oiling the gears and bearings. Size: 15″. Condition: About as close to factory mint condition than I’ve ever seen for this elusive toy. More specifically I’m grading it near mint+. The gloss and luster are flawless. It doesn’t have a single ding, dent, scratch, scuff, spot of wear, or rust. The edges of the fender and running boards are perfect. The edges around the front radiator and hood are perfect. The roof is perfect. The rear trunk graphic is perfect. The wheel centers are spotless and the tires haven’t any wear. some of the polishing has started to dull on the front bumper. The only things that take it down a teeny bit are four tiny scuff marks on the passenger side door caused by the key hitting against it (three on the left side of the door and one on the right). The largest of these measures less than 1/8″. The narrow raised horizontal rib running down the center of the front hood has some spotty paint flaking caused by age; but it’s really a minor point. The left rear fender also has two pinpoint marks caused by the brake (since I’ve owned the car, I’ve never once engaged the brake because it’ll scrape the paint). The black motor housing underneath the car also has a couple of tiny pinpoint nicks. Again, the motor and sparkling machine gun work great! The box is near mint and complete with all original interior and exterior endflaps. In fact it’s the only box I’ve seen for this car. Is has no handling, edge, or shelf wear. The print is dark and bold. The edges are sharp and even. It hasn’t any corner wear. It has darkened slightly and yellowed from age which is to be expected. One of the blank panels has #” wide U-shaped puncture. One of the printed panels has a small circular perforation caused by the key stem. The hinged endflap and one interior flap were torn off, but still inside the box. The end of the flap which tucks inside the box had cracked and separated; but again was still inside the box. Both have been correctly glue repaired. The other interior flap on the open end was partially torn at the seam and also repaired. The extra flint envelope is cracked, but complete. I also have the original Bertoia auction tag (not shown) with its provenance from the Kaufman collection. My Item No. 09-0143 You Always Pay Exact Shipping FREE Mail Insurance! American Toys; Quality 19th and 20th Century Antique Toys MY ANTIQUE TOY GUARANTEE: 7 day money back guarantee for full purchase price minus shipping costs, if you’re not satisfied FOR ANY REASON. This guarantee is void if your returned item is not in the same condition as originally shipped. I do not charge “restocking” fees. I do not sell reproduction toys. I guarantee to refund your purchase in full, if any toy I sell is found to be a reproduction for as long as you own the toy. This offer applies only if the toy has not been resold, and only to the original buyer. REPAINTED OR REPLACED PARTS: Condition is everything! I always strive, whenever possible, to sell only toys that are complete and in original condition. However, I will always indicate in those rare instances when parts have been replaced or when touch-ups have been made. MY SHIPPING GUARANTEES Mail insurance is free and will be used for every domestic or international package. Mail insurance is provided through a contracted third party company for every purchase made. The company requires mandatory Signature Confirmation (USPS $2.35, UPS $2.75) with tracking for all packages. When you check Ebay’s shipping page it may appear that I don’t offer any insurance. However not to worry. Mail insurance is provided free of charge for every purchase. Say good-bye to those familiar blue or black Bar code insurance stubs from the Post Office stuck to the outside of the box. Claims for lost or damaged packages must be submitted directly through me. You will always pay the exact shipping cost; period. I never charge handling fees, packaging fees, or shipping material fees. I personally box everything after the auction ends. So on occasion I underestimate shipping costs, or the shipping box size. When this occurs I’ll send you an email requesting additional funds. UNITED STATES: The shipping carrier may vary depending on your location, shipping box size, and package weight. At my discretion I may use the United States Postal Service (Priority, Express, Registered, or Parcel Post), UPS Ground or FedEx. UPS and FedEx do not deliver to P.O. box addresses. The Signature Confirmation fee ($2.35) required by my insurance company is integrated into the ebay shipping calculator. INTERNATIONAL: 1) Global Express shipping is highly recommended. Yes, it is expensive but it’s the only international shipping system which provides tracking. It is automatically insured for $100. Plus it’s 3 to 4 times faster than Global Priority Mail (days versus weeks). 2) Global Priority Airmail. Economical but it can’t be tracked. My insurance company requires a Certificate of Mailing ($1.35). This fee is integrated into the ebay shipping calculator. For some reason the Post Office does not include this amount on their mailing sticker print-out. NEW TO E-BAY?: Bidders with five (5) positive feedback stars or less must contact me prior to bidding. Bidders who do not comply will have their bid removed. PACKAGING: One thing you can be sure of when you buy from American Toys is careful packaging. Check my feedback and see for yourself. Sturdy brand new shipping boxes are always used. Just about every toy I sell is double boxed. OFFERS TO 2nd PLACE BIDDERS: I do not make offers to 2nd place bidders. PAYMENT: Acceptable payment methods include: * Credit or debit card * PayPal * ProPay (not applicable). * Payment on local pick-up with pre-approval. New Jersey residents please add 7% sales tax, or supply valid NJ Tax ID number. CHECK OUT: I’ll send a personal invoice directly to the high bidder once the auction has ended. You’ll also receive a duplicate invoice through Ebay. QUESTIONS: I encourage questions from any interested bidder. Drop me a line and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. You’ll always have all the information you need from me before placing your bid….as long as you ask. Thanks and GOOD LUCK………………. Danny K. American Toys Associate Member International Society of Appraisers Antiques Roadshow Collectibles Book 2003 Workman Publishing Contributing author & photographer Marx Toys and more at Grand Old Toys.com – antique toy database ebay Seller since 1997 _gsrx_vers_334 (GS 5.4.3 (334))

1939 Marx Army Headquarters Staff Coupe in Original Box

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